It may sound overwhelming, but one in four adults over the age of 60 has diabetes. Worst of all, this disease dramatically increases the likelihood of further serious complications.
If a patient has already faced this severe disease, then be sure to consult with a doctor to make sure that diabetes is under control. Follow a senior’s care plan. Remind a client to take medication on time and make sure a senior remains active throughout the day.
Keep in mind that diabetes can also trigger vision-related severe illnesses. These include:
- Cataract – provokes the appearance of cloudy areas in the lens of the eye
- Glaucoma – leads to the increased internal pressure of the eye
- Retinopathy is painful damage to blood vessels in the eye
Each of these conditions can cause severe vision problems and lead to complete blindness in both eyes. If your patient has diabetes, you should recommend seeing an ophthalmologist at least once a year for an eye exam.
5 Tips for Taking Control
Unfortunately, we cannot turn back the clock. However, there are several ways you can reduce the likelihood of diabetes or slow it down.
Diabetes prevention and disease control include pretty simple ways that it can be done. Here are some tips you can start using today.
#1 Lose Weight
Losing weight and controlling weight can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes. According to large-scale studies, people who lost only 7% of weight managed to reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 60%.
#2 Physical Activity
Make sure that a patient does not sit in one place for a long time during the day. Even some minor movements every 30 minutes or a short walk can help control blood sugar levels.
#3 Eat Healthy Food
Expand the list of plant foods in a senior’s diet. The fact is that plant food contains a large number of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
In addition to carbohydrates, which are the energy source for a body, this type of food also contains fiber. Dietary fiber helps the stomach absorb food much faster and thus regulates a body’s insulin production.
#4 Healthy Fats Exist- Eat them!
Fatty foods are high in calories, and therefore, they should be consumed in limited quantities. However, foods with unsaturated fats are vital to our bodies. These are also known as “good fats.”
They include:
- Olive, cottonseed, and rapeseed oils
- Almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds
- Salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod, and tuna
#5 Forget the Fancy Diets
The main goal of a good diet is to lose weight and then maintain healthy body weight. Therefore, a healthy diet must include the right nutritional strategy to achieve the desired result. Do not rush to lose weight in a few days using strict dietary restrictions. Make healthy choices that reflect your food and lifestyle preferences.
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