Physical exercise is invaluable for living with diabetes or other chronic disease. Exercise helps control weight, lower blood pressure, reduce harmful LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, raise HDL-cholesterol, strengthen muscles, bones, and vital organs, and relieve anxiety. Studies have shown that adding physical activity to a normal lifestyle can even spare lives. One of the most straightforward exercises for anyone to do is walking. Walking is a great way to increase your activity and improve your health. With elder care in the home, seniors have someone to walk with them and motivate them.
When Is the Best Time For Someone With Diabetes to Walk?
If seniors use insulin, checking their blood sugar levels before working out is crucial. When the blood sugar level is probably higher, one to three hours after eating is the greatest time to exercise. A piece of fruit or a modest snack will raise the level if it is below 100 mg/dL before exercise, preventing hypoglycemia.
Checking blood sugar after any very taxing exercise or activity is also good. Your risk of experiencing hypoglycemia may be greatest six to 12 hours after working out if you take insulin. Experts also caution against exercising if your blood sugar is too high since exercise may raise blood sugar even higher.
Health Benefits of Walking
Walking has many benefits, even if seniors don’t have diabetes. An elder care professional can assist with motivating seniors and building a consistent routine with them. This allows seniors to reap as many benefits as possible.
- Better blood sugar control: Glucose is used by the body as an energy source when seniors work out. When someone has type 2 diabetes, their blood sugar levels become too high, yet exercise makes it easier to consume that sugar and subsequently lowers it.
- Weight management: Calories are burnt during movement, so walking can help achieve weight management objectives. The number of calories someone burns will depend on various factors, such as age, weight, intensity, and distance.
- Improved heart health: Cardiovascular disease is two to four times more likely to strike those with diabetes than those without it. As mentioned, walking strengthens the heart and the entire cardiovascular system. Additionally, it can assist in lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
- Improved mood and stress relief: It can be difficult and frustrating to manage type 2 diabetes. One effective method to calm nerves is to go on a walk. Endorphins, which are feel-good hormones, can improve mood and reduce stress.
- Better sleep: Seniors may sleep better at night if they exercise during the day. According to the ADA, improved sleep leads to better diabetes management.
- Fewer complications: Uncontrolled diabetes can cause nerve damage and eye, foot, and kidney difficulties, among other major health problems. Seniors’ risk of problems can be reduced by exercise and improved type 2 diabetes management.
With so many benefits to walking, it’s an excellent activity to pick up at any point or for any reason. Helping to control diabetes is just one of those reasons. With any exercise program, talk with medical professionals before starting. Elder care providers can work with seniors to ensure that all the provisions set forth by the professionals are completed consistently.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Elder Care in Menlo Park, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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