Living Healthy with Diabetes Essay Example
Living Healthy with Diabetes Essay Example

Living Healthy with Diabetes Essay Example

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  • Pages: 11 (3017 words)
  • Published: November 25, 2021
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Recently, most of the individuals across the world are living with diabetes. The health problem affects people of different ages, race, gender and social status. Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the human body fails to produce sufficient insulin necessary for regulation of blood glucose levels.

Another cause of diabetes is when the cells are unable to function effectively to produce insulin. As a result, the two types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the condition is autoimmune because the cells responsible for producing insulin are destroyed. People with type 1 diabetes will require lifelong treatment with insulin to prevent death. A small number of people are affected with the condition and research shows about 10% of the population.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 % of the population living with diabetes (Gregg, Callag

...

han & Hayes, 2007). Type 2 diabetes onsets when the body stops secreting enough amounts of insulin or resistance to insulin. People living with type 2 diabetes progressively require lifestyle management. The control can be achieved through diet and exercise. Type 2 condition of diabetes may remain undetected for many years, and its patients will require insulin administration and oral drugs (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010). Diabetes mellitus is present in significant numbers among the older generation across most of the nations.

The elderly (?65 years) population are highly affected by diabetes and most of them fail to manage and control the condition which results in death. More than 25% of the population with diabetes in the U.S is the people aged 65 years and more. The aging of the general population is a significant factor that the diabetes pandemic

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is escalating. The high rates of mortality increased institutionalization, and diabetes causes reduced functional status among older adults.

Older adults with diabetes mellitus have a substantial risk for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and cancer (Fuhrman, 2013). The next discussion will major in diabetes type 2 as a health problem among the elderly population.

Needs of the Elderly

  • Food Choices

The older adults are individuals who have reduced functioning resulting to food pattern changes in their lifetime. Older people in care homes are required to eat a balanced diet to prevent and treat undernutrition.

The elderly are expected to take a meal that entails proteins, carbohydrates and insignificant proportion of fat. They are also needed to consume a meal with a high content of green leafy vegetables as it is crucial in providing the necessary nutrients and maintaining the blood glucose levels (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010). The fluid intake among the older adults is required to be maintained at high levels. A high fluid intake prevents cases of dehydration and frail bodies.

Fluids are necessary also for the proper digestion of food in the body facilitating growth. The elderly have low functioning of body organs resulting in the need to reduce the amount of salt intake. High salt intake leads to cardiovascular diseases such as arthritis that may predispose an aged person to diabetes and if left untreated can cause death. Weight reduction is among the needs of the old generation. Most of them are overweight and obese hindering normal body functions. Elderly adults should maintain their bodies at normal BMI intervals to avoid the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular complications (Bernstein,

2007).

Keeping Active

The elderly populations are required to maintain active bodies during their life to strengthen muscles, balance, and mobility. Keeping active is crucial in improving insulin sensitivity resulting in absorption of excess glucose in the body. Active health among the older generation helps in preventing falls and improving the mental health. Exercises for the housebound aged persons build flexibility and limb strength (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007).

Mental Health

The aged people should manage their mental health that will facilitate healthy eating behaviors. Elderly people are mostly affected by depression and may go unnoticed among those with complicated health problems.

The depression may be caused by a variety of factors such as foot ulceration among patients with diabetes (Gregg, Callaghan & Hayes, 2007). As a result, the elderly require a counselor to help them overcome their depression as it may affect the eating habits worsening the condition of diabetes mellitus. Dementia is a medical condition that also increases with age. The elderly should be given medications for dementia. Untreated dementia makes the aged forget that they are supposed to take their meals. As a result, diabetic individuals end up mismanaging the condition (Fuhrman, 2013).

High Fiber Content

The elderly need to consume meals and diets high in fiber to control the rise in the blood glucose levels. High fiber foods slow the absorption of blood glucose in the body leading to managed diabetes (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010).

Low Glycemic Index

The aged individuals at most times think like children, and it is not a surprise to find them eating sugary foods. The high sugar content affects their condition as it has high glycemic index spiking the

blood glucose levels. The elderly population should be encouraged to consume foods containing low glycemic index such as whole wheat brown bread (Bernstein, 2007).

Oral Health

Oral health of an individual is expected to be maintained throughout the lifecycle. The dental formula is necessary to facilitate the intake of various foods which needs to be chewed. The healthy dental structure of an elderly individual is necessary as it exercises the muscles during chewing and grinding of food. Regular dental screening is important for the old generation to facilitate healthy eating practices (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007).

Increased Energy Needs

With the reduced functionality among the older adults, the need to increase the energy needs will help in providing the strength required. High energy foods lead to healthy body status as it caters for the building of the worn out tissues (Bernstein, 2007).

Goals and Objectives of the Program

One of the aims of this program is to ensure that the elderly population consumes a healthy diet. It is essential and necessary to facilitate and supervise the eating habits of the elderly. The program is also to initiate and facilitate active exercises for the older adults living with diabetes.

It is necessary to teach them a few basics on making their muscles healthy and strong. Ensure correct and timely intake of medications. Alongside healthy eating, it is important for the elderly diabetic people to take medicines for maintenance of blood glucose levels. To provide counselors and psychologists who are responsible for assessing for stress and depression cases. If the elderly who is living with diabetes is stressed or depressed about a particular situation, it leads to lack of food

intake (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010).

Among the objectives is to reduce the risks of developing short-term and long-term effects of diabetes. Improper treatment of diabetes mellitus in older adults results in irreversible damages such as blindness. Finally, the program is to initiate healthy copying strategies and to facilitate the emotional and social well-being of the older adults. The social and emotional life of a person living with diabetes is important as it develops positive attitude (Gregg, Callaghan & Hayes, 2007).

Ways of Achieving the Goals

Food Choices

Making healthy food choices and understanding the benefits of portion sizes is important for older adults living with diabetes.

Appropriate key timing is also appropriate strategies for maintaining blood glucose levels at normal ranges. The goal of attaining healthy eating practices among the elderly will be achieved in various ways. One, the older population as a whole will be taught on how to control the size portions of their meals. Eating small but frequent meals spikes the blood sugar level at a slow range which is recommended for healthy living. The elderly should be discouraged from taking large portions of meals at ago. Also, teaching the elderly to consume meals on a regular time will result in the control of the blood sugar levels at normal ranges (Bernstein, 2007).

Attaining good food practices among the elderly requires the increase of fiber content in the diet. Fiber plays a crucial role in releasing the blood glucose levels at a slow rate which makes use of the insulin in the body (Gregg, Callaghan & Hayes, 2007). The goal of healthy eating will only be achieved if the elderly population can be convinced to

consume whole grains, pulses, seeds such as pears and bananas. The achievement will require the inclusion of high dietary sources of food in the home care centers.

Most of the older adults live under the care of the caregiver which will necessitate education of the helper for healthy eating habits. High fiber content in foods is also important among the elderly as it leads to loss of weight by reducing the blood cholesterol (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010).

Being Active

The goal of keeping active can be achieved through frequent exercises and workouts to the level every individual can manage. Exercises and regular physical activity keep the blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol at normal ranges. The necessary step to make the elderly active is to identify appropriate types and amounts of physical activity for fitness (Gregg, Callaghan & Hayes, 2007).

Taking Medication

The achievement of the goal will require that the elderly individuals take their medications on time and regularly to avoid blood sugar falls and increase.

The aged persons living with diabetes require medicines to maintain their blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol. Individuals with type 1 diabetes should always report that they have taken insulin as part of their treatment plan. Type 2 diabetes older adults are required to take the drugs they use if at all they have prescriptions (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010).

Managing Stress and Depression

Achieving the goal will require the use of psychologists and counselors. The professionals will ensure that the elderly remain stress-free to facilitate effective dietary habits and intake of medications.

Many things in the surrounding environment pose a great danger the well-being of the elderly people

living with diabetes. For example food, exercise and insulin may stress a person (Bernstein, 2007). Some people may be stressed by loneliness, illness and prescriptions over the counter. For the female older adults, menstrual cycle and hormonal changes are the primary factors that may stress them leading to depression. The role of a counselor will result in effective management of depression and stress leading to healthy dietary practices (Gregg, Callaghan & Hayes, 2007).

Reducing the Risks

Educating the elderly about the dangers of uncontrolled blood sugar level will result in reduced risk factors posed by diabetes.

An essential part of the diabetic care is taking precautions to prevent short-term and long-term effects. Short-term complications such as high blood glucose and hypoglycemia can be maintained with proper meal patterns and portion sizes. Long-term effects such as retinopathy, neuropathy, blindness and nephropathy are fatal as they affect the sensory nerves and can be irreversible (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010). Educating the elderly population on preventive services will result in reduced risks (Bernstein, 2007).

Copying Strategies

Diabetes mellitus is not just a physical health problem as the emotional and social well-being of the affected person is involved. T the onset of 65 years, the elderly people has reduced social life affecting their living. The condition can cause psychological stress affecting how a person will feel about themselves. Copying with the emotional and social needs of the elderly requires that they are surrounded by people they love such as family members. Family members and friends should visit the older adults institutionalized in the home cares resulting in improved participation (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010).

Implementing the Intervention

Living healthy with diabetes among the elderly

population can be applied in a variety of ways. One way is by monitoring the blood glucose levels of the elderly frequently. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels provides the necessary information needed to make decisions for the treatment, both in the long term and short term. Monitoring is important in determining whether the patient is on the right track with what he/she is doing.

Other types of monitoring that can facilitate a healthy life with diabetes are blood pressure checks and cholesterol levels (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010). As adults get cholesterol tests, it helps identify any weight gain that may lead to other complications alongside diabetes mellitus. For the adults with a good memory or those under the care of a family member, they can be taught on how to monitor themselves. As a result, older adults who can use blood pressure machine and insulin injection on their own are less likely to possess long-term effects (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007). Obese and overweight elderly adults with diabetes should start by losing 5% of their body weight.

The ideal weight of the aged is calculated by using their weight and height to obtain their BMI ranges. A BMI of 25 and above indicates an overweight individual while that of 29.5 or more indicates obesity. According to research, losing 5% of the extra weight makes a person less likely to contract cardiovascular diseases such s heart disease and blood pressure. Setting a strategy for losing 5 % of the excess weight among the elderly population will lead to positive results in the management of type 2 diabetes, (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007). The next step in implementing

the intervention of living healthy with diabetes is to add 7 grams of fiber in the daily diet of the elderly.

By specifying the amount of fiber content to be added to the diet, it will help in creating a feeling of fullness. As a result, the elderly will regulate blood sugar level due to controlled eating habits. On an average, Americans consume 16 grams of fiber daily which is less than the recommended amount (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007). Again, most of the readily available food in the stores today are processed and highly refined containing no fiber.

According to a study, individuals who consume an extra 7 grams of fiber a day lowered the risk of cardiovascular diseases while the diabetics maintained their blood glucose levels. The elderly can get fiber from favorite foods and fruits due to different preferences. For example, the older adults should be encouraged to try whole grains instead of refined foods to add a few grams of fiber to the morning or lunchtime cereal. The medical team should conduct nutrition assessments in most of the places highly affected with diabetes. The assessments can major in day care centers and nursing homes.

In the U.S the numbers of nursing homes are increasing due to the high number of aged individuals requiring care and support (Bernstein, 2007). The nursing homes will provide a large number of older adults to be assessed by their weight, height, muac and cholesterol content. Nutritional assessments in the nursing homes will provide a useful and opportune moment to provide individualized counseling services (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007). It will be possible also to refer severe cases to the

hospital for quick treatment before any complication arises.

Training the attendants in the nursing homes is crucial while implementing the intervention. The home care people should be able to readings of blood glucose levels, determine depressed elderly individuals and ascertain high fiber foods. The capacity to perform the essential requirements of the elderly population will result in effective management of diabetes (Brown-Riggs & Jeffries, 2010). Mass education is another way of implementing the management of diabetes and how it results in a healthy life. Since the older adults have reduced functionality and thinking capacity, it is the responsibility of the society to ensure that they lead a healthy and happy life. Age should not be a distinguishing factor that separates families and for this reason, enlightening the public and family members about diabetes will help in the management.

Teaching and educating the public on the management and treatment of diabetes is important for the health of the elderly persons living under care. Mass education can be done in crusades, community meeting grounds, social networks, media channels, and newspapers. Screening for diabetes among the public is an essential step in implementing the intervention. Many of the people live with the condition without their knowledge.

Type 2 diabetes can go for an extended period without being noticed. As a result, it is necessary to conduct free diabetes screening centers in the community units to cover a broad range of people. Early detection and treatment of diabetes mellitus in the elderly generation reduce mortality and morbidity (McDowell, Matthews & Brown, 2007).

Results

Due to the change in various factors among the elderly individuals with diabetes condition, it results in better treatment

and management of the condition. Among the alterations necessary to be made among the elderly population are increased nutritional needs such as energy, controlling meal portions. Adopting healthy eating practices such as high fiber and low glycemic foods results in a slow rise in the blood glucose levels.

Also, initiating change in the nursing care homes is another strategy that will reduce death rate and increase the lives of the older adults living with diabetes. The health problem of diabetes is increasingly affecting most of the population and becoming the leading cause of death. Individuals at the age of 65 years or above are considered elderly because of their reduced cognitive, mental and functionality level. The older adults are mostly ignored by the family members and the society due to cardiovascular complications. It results in a growing need to increase the awareness that aged individuals can live a healthy life with diabetes.

References

  • Bernstein, R. K. (2007). Dr. Bernstein's diabetes solution: A complete guide to achieving normal blood sugars. Boston: Little, Brown and Co.
  • Brown-Riggs, C., ; Jeffries, T. (2010). The African American guide to living well with diabetes. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books.
  • Fuhrman, J. (2013). The end of diabetes: The eat to live plan to prevent and reverse diabetes. New York, NY: Harper One, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
  • Gregg, J., Callaghan, G.

    M., ; Hayes, S. C. (2007). Diabetes lifestyle book: Facing your fears ; making changes for a long ; healthy life. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

  • McDowell, J.

    R. S., Matthews, D. M., ; Brown, F. J.

    (2007). Diabetes: A handbook for the primary healthcare team. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

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