Over 40% of adults ages 65 and up suffer from diabetes. This statistic means that nursing homes will most likely have residents with diabetes. These nursing homes must know how to treat residents with diabetes. These homes can prevent any issues related to the illness. Here, you can learn about what diabetes is and proper diabetic care in nursing homes.
What is Diabetes?
What exactly makes a person a diabetic? Diabetes is a disease that affects the insulin in a person’s body. People suffering from this metabolic disease typically have high blood sugar. This is because their insulin production is not normal. Insulin is a hormone that helps get glucose (sugar) into our cells. When a person has diabetes, it means that their body does not produce enough insulin. Or, it can mean that the body does not react to insulin properly. There are two types of diabetes – type one and type two. Type one diabetes is most commonly diagnosed when a person is in their early adulthood years. This type is diagnosed when a person’s body does not produce any insulin at all. Type two diabetes is much more common and can get diagnosed at any point in a person’s life. Around 90% of all diabetes diagnoses are type two.
Living with Diabetes
To live a healthy life with diabetes, a person must do many different things to stay at a safe insulin level. For example, a diabetic has to make sure that they have a balanced, healthy diet. They should also make sure to get plenty of exercise. At an old age, it is hard to stay active. But it is proven that in the case of type two diabetes, regular exercise and a special diet can improve health. A diet limiting a person’s fat and cholesterol intake is the best option.
Elder adults are more susceptible to complications when suffering from diabetes. Because of this, certain precautions must happen. The nursing home should make sure to provide food that is low in fat and cholesterol. They should also make sure that diabetics have plenty of time to exercise. Their medication must always be given on a schedule and at the correct time each day. Medication to manage their diabetes can happen in the pill form or in the form of an insulin shot. Regardless of the type of medication, the nursing staff should not neglect to provide it.
Neglect and Diabetes
A lot of nursing homes don’t have proper staffing. This means that staff members get overworked, which may cause some neglect or abuse. It is important that people with diabetes are not neglected. If diabetes is not managed many complications may arise. Some things that can happen if an elder person’s diabetes is not controlled are:
- Skin infections.
- Glaucoma.
- Cataracts.
- Kidney disease.
- Neuropathy.
- Ulcers.
- Depression.
- Gastroparesis.
- Gum disease.
- Stroke.
- Heart disease.
- Pressure sores.
Nursing home staff should provide diabetic treatment with care. Most complications dealing with diabetes are avoidable. The staff must watch food intake and medication must go to the resident in the proper manner. Regular insulin level checks are important as well. Elderly diabetic care is tricky and each person’s needs are different. But, if diabetic residents receive proper care, the risk of complication reduces.
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