It’s pretty likely that you know a little something about diabetes, but when an aging family member is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and you find yourself a caregiver, you may suddenly feel like there’s so much you do not know. One of the first steps to becoming a diabetes caregiver is learning as much about the disease as you can.
Homecare in Manteca CA: Senior Type 2 Diabetes
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that makes it difficult for the body to use sugar, the body’s source of fuel, appropriately. People with type 2 diabetes are either unable to use the insulin their body makes or don’t make enough insulin. The disease has no cure, but there are ways to manage it, including lifestyle changes and medication.
What Are the Causes?
Doctors don’t know exactly why a person’s body becomes resistant to insulin or stops making enough insulin. However, they do know there are several factors that can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes, such as:
-Genetics: Scientists have identified some genes that affect the way the body makes insulin.
-Weight: Excess weight can cause the body to become insulin resistant. This is especially true for people who carry the weight around the abdomen.
-Glucose from the Liver: Some people’s livers continue to produce excess glucose even when blood sugar levels are elevated. Normally, the liver stops producing glucose or at least decreases the amount it produces after a person eats.
There are also several risk factors that have been associated
with the development of type 2 diabetes, including:
-Obesity-
-Lack of physical activity-
-A family history of diabetes-
-Race-
-Age-
Where Can We Get Help?
People with diabetes are often assigned a team of medical professionals who can help them learn to manage the condition. The healthcare team may include a primary care physician, a dietician, a nurse educator, a social worker, and others. In addition, families may find it helpful to hire a home care provider for an elderly person with diabetes.
A home care provider can do things like cooking healthy meals that adhere to the meal plan created by the dietician. They can also remind the older adult to check their blood sugar, record the results in a log, and take medications. Home care providers can also help older adults to become more physically active, which plays a role in keeping blood sugar under control.
If you or an aging loved one is considering homecare in Manteca, CA, or the surrounding areas please contact the caring staff at ApexCare®. Proudly Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, San Joaquin & Stanislaus counties.
Call Today 877-916-9111
Sources:
Webmd.com
Mayoclinic.org
Ncbi.nln.nih.gov
Diabetes.org