Is There a Link Between Alzheimer’s and Diabetes?

By Andy Niska | December 16, 2016 |

Home Care in Cheney WA

The population of older adults is growing, which means that more and more people are becoming family caregivers. If you are just getting started on your care journey, or if you simply want to improve your care efforts for your aging parent, one of the most important things that you can do is stay informed. Understanding the developments in health and how they impact your parent can help you to detect potential issues, make decisions to protect your senior from risks, and feel more prepared for the next step in your care journey with them.

One link that has been recently identified and is making a tremendous impact on many elderly adults is that between diabetes and dementia. Studies have shown that elderly adults who are dealing with hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, a condition common in diabetes, have up to twice the risk of developing dementia. Low blood sugar episodes have been shown to contribute to decline in cognitive functioning that may increase with each episode. What is even more pressing to realize is that the cognitive impact of a hypoglycemic episode can cause your parent to make poor decisions or not follow through with their proper care, potentially contributing to further low blood sugar episodes. This means that they could get trapped in a cycle that diminishes both their cognitive and physical functioning and health.

Helping protect your parent from this link is possible. If your senior has diabetes, talk with their doctor about how you can help them to avoid episodes of low blood sugar. Encourage your parent to keep track of their blood sugar, understand what their readings should be, and make the proper decisions for maintaining it, including eating a healthy diet and remaining compliant with their medications and treatments. If you notice any indications that they might be struggling with dementia, get in touch with their doctor as soon as possible so that they can evaluate your parent and help them make the proper care and treatment decisions moving forward.

If your elderly loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, starting elder care for them can be an exceptional way to help them live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider are tailored specifically to the individual needs, challenges, and limitations of your aging parent. This means that they are not just receiving the care and assistance necessary to stay safe and healthy as they progress through the disease. Instead, they will receive whole-person support designed to maintain as much independence and autonomy as possible, encourage activity and engagement in the world around them, and boost their mental and emotional health. When it comes to helping them handle both dementia and physical health concerns such as diabetes, this care provider can help your parent understand what they are going through, guide them in making the decisions that are right for their health such as eating a healthy diet, and offer reminders to keep them compliant with their doctor’s guidelines and instructions.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Cheney, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Sources:

https://aoa.acl.gov/

https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2013/03/15/dc12-2158

Author
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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.