Type 2 Diabetes comes on later in life and can be predicted in many people based upon the risk factors that took over their earlier years. Many simple issues like weight, blood pressure, and age are basic risks for type 2 diabetes. One thing to consider and test for is prediabetes. This is not a term that is always recognized for those who need to watch for the risks of type 2 diabetes in a senior loved one, and this is something that home care can help with.

What Is Prediabetes?

Millions of older Americans have “prediabetes.” This means their glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. At this point, further risk factors or signs of potential type 2 diabetes may need to be watched regularly. This is something that home care is able to help with. People with prediabetes have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes and having a heart attack or stroke, and home care can watch for all the signs at all times.

If your senior has prediabetes, prevention or delays for type 2 diabetes are possible. Some of these include weight loss, healthy eating, and being physically active. Your senior should visit their doctor for regular check-ups, and home care that helps achieve these goals is helpful as well. There are also important changes like quitting smoking (if applicable) because this is another risk. Make sure to ask how often you should have your senior’s glucose levels checked. Your doctor may also talk with you about taking medication to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

10 Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

There are many risk factors that show the potential onset of type 2 diabetes in your loved one. If you notice any of these risks in your senior, it may be helpful to access home care to help with the improvement or correction of some of these risks.

Some of these risk factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes include:

-Weight. Being overweight is the main risk factor for type 2 diabetes, though it can happen without being overweight.

-Fat distribution. With fat mainly in the abdomen, there is a higher risk of type 2 diabetes than other fat like the hips and thighs. The risk of type 2 diabetes rises in men with waists above 40 inches and women with waists greater than 35 inches around.

-Inactivity. Reduced activity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Physical activity in your senior’s schedule can be increased with home care and someone who helps them become active daily.

-Family history. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if past generations had type 2 diabetes, and knowing this, home care can help keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms in your loved one.

-Race. Certain races — including black, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian-American people — are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, though it’s not clear why.

-Age. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases primarily after 45. Many reasons may be linked to this cause, but as age -increases, it helps to have someone alongside your senior to watch for other risks.

-Prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not yet diagnosed as diabetes. Left untreated, prediabetes often progresses to type 2 diabetes.

-Gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and women who faced this at one point risk type 2 diabetes later in life. Also, giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

-Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, and obesity in women, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

-Areas of darkened skin. This condition, with spots usually located under the armpits and on the neck, often indicates insulin resistance.

While all of these are risks that may vary separately from men to women or from people among different races or ethnicities, they are things to look out for. They also lead to certain signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. In many ways, knowing that there are risks from the past, home care can help to make sure that your senior remains healthy and that type 2 diabetes is prevented or at least diagnosed early so they will have the best treatment possible.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring  Home Care in Claremont, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care.
Call today: (415) 795-2203

Sources
Nia.nih.gov
Care.diabetesjournals.org
Endocrinenews.endocrine.org
Mayoclinic.org

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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