Do you have aging loved ones who are living with diabetes?

A chronic condition, diabetes affects how the body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreases is no longer able to make insulin or when the body can’t make good use of the insulin it produces. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.

According to the American Diabetes Association:

• Approximately 37.3 million Americans (11.3%) have diabetes
• More than 15.9 million seniors (29.2%) have diabetes
• Nearly 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year
• Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
• By 2050, it’s estimated that cases in older women will rise by 270% and older men by 430%

“Although there is no cure, there are things you can do to help your senior loved ones manage their diabetes and continue to live independently in their homes,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “If family members or friends aren’t available to help, you might want to consider hiring an in-home professional caregiver – someone who will consistently deliver services needed to help your loved ones stay on top of prescribed dietary, exercise and medication regimens.”

Goetz said a professional caregiver can assist with:

Meal preparation – shopping for healthy foods and preparing nutritious meals that meet your senior loved one’s dietary needs.

Medication management – monitoring blood glucose levels and other medications to make sure the right dose is taken at the right time.

Symptom management – watching for signs of high or low blood sugar and calling for assistance, if necessary.

Regular exercise – making an exercise plan and assisting with regular physical activity that’s crucial for diabetes management.

Transportation – driving to appointments, pharmacies, mall-walking events and other activities that will keep the condition in check.

“Our compassionate caregivers are fully trained and committed to delivering the care your seniors need to remain safely in their homes,” Goetz said. “We’ll work closely with you and your loved ones to develop a customized care plan that meets your senior’s unique needs and gives you much needed peace of mind.”

For information about all of Trail Ridge Home Care’s services, call 605-231-8141 or visit trailridgehomecare.com.

To learn more about diabetes, follow these links for information and resources – American Diabetes Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute on Aging.