If you are like many family caregivers for elderly adults, diabetes is something that you have thought about considerably since caring for your parent. Whether your aging loved one has been diagnosed with the disease or you have been told that they are increased risk, it is important that you take the time to learn as much as you can about it so that you can ensure that they receive the care that they need, both from their medical team and from you.
Elderly Care in Deerfield Beach FL: Strokes and Diabetes
One very important thing to keep in mind when considering diabetes and how it can impact your parent’s health is that this disease is about more than just high blood sugar or having to change their diet. Diabetes can negatively impact various different systems throughout the body and cause illnesses and other negative effects that can be detrimental to your parent’s health and well-being as they age in place. This makes it critical that you are aware of these links and can take steps to reduce their risk and protect them.
One such risk is a stroke.
It may not seem as though diabetes and stroke are linked, but the reality is that those who are living with diabetes are at increased risk of suffering a stroke. Experts estimate that there are approximately 26 million people throughout the United States who are currently living with diabetes and that these people are at two to four times higher risk of suffering a stroke than those who are not living with the disease. This increased risk is caused by the way that the body produces and uses glucose in people with diabetes.
Diabetes causes the body to not utilize glucose and insulin properly, resulting in a frequent excess of glucose in the blood. Over time, this increase in glucose can cause fatty deposits on the blood vessel walls, as well as clots. These put additional strain on the heart, which can lead to heart disease, as well as a constriction in the amount of blood that makes it to the brain, leading to stroke.
It is important to talk to your parent’s doctor about the link between stroke and diabetes and how you can help your parent to manage their conditions in a way that will reduce their risk and keep them healthier during their later years.
How can elderly care help?
Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be extremely challenging, particularly if you are a member of the sandwich generation caring for both your aging parent and your children, or if you live at a distance from your parent and you are not able to be with them as often as you would like. Fortunately, if you are having difficulty managing your parent’s needs and challenges, or simply feel that they would benefit from additional care and support, home care can help.
An in-home care provider can give your parent a personalized approach to care that ensures that their needs, limitations, and challenges are met in a way that is right for them, while also supporting their pursuit of a lifestyle that is active, engaged, and fulfilling. This can ease your stress and give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus your energy and attention in the most effective ways while also managing the other aspects of your life in the best way possible.
If you or a family member are in need of hiring elderly care in Deerfield Beach, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770.
Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.
Source:
http://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/DiabetesBrochure.pdf
- Ways To Help A Senior Parent Living in Another State - November 18, 2024
- Tips That Can Help Seniors With Psoriasis - November 12, 2024
- Benefits of Customized Health Plans for Seniors Aging in Place - November 4, 2024