Managing Diabetes in the Elderly

“With our aging population and increasing prevalence of diabetes, the issue of managing diabetes in older people is becoming increasingly important”

- Prof. Greg Johnson, Diabetes Australia CEO

Diabetes is an ongoing condition that, for millions of older people, can cause pain, discomfort, complications with other conditions, and even fatalities in extreme cases. It’s estimated around one in five Australians between the ages of 80 and 84 are diabetic—that’s around 19%.

If there are familial links to diabetes or you notice symptoms in yourself or your loved ones, it’s vital to get a diagnosis fast. In this guide, we discuss the types of diabetes affecting elderly people, and how to manage living with the condition. 

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is a complex condition that is considered chronic, in that it’s a long-term illness. People with the condition struggle to manage their blood sugar, meaning that when they eat food  there isn’t enough insulin in their bodies to turn it into energy.

It’s typically divided into four main types, with the first two particularly affecting older people across Australia.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that many people are born with. It’s thought to be an autoimmune condition, and at present, there’s no specific cure. People with type 1 diabetes need to use insulin syringes every day to manage their glucose levels.

It’s estimated that around 134,000 people across the country have type 1 diabetes, and 1.3 million have type 2.

Type 2 Diabetes

As the statistic above shows, type 2 is more common across Australia. This condition arises when your body cannot balance blood sugar and can develop over several years. It’s possible to develop type 2 diabetes through poor lifestyle choices, such as an unhealthy diet or a lack of exercise.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is unlikely to affect elderly people as it typically occurs to women during pregnancy. This condition usually disappears after women give birth, however, it can make them more susceptible to type 2 diabetes later in life.

Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)

MODY refers to a series of conditions linked to high blood sugar levels. As the name suggests, this condition typically affects people younger than 30, and there are several different types.

Common Risk Factors for Diabetes in the Elderly

As discussed, there are a few reasons why people might develop any type of diabetes listed during their lifetimes. However, the following risk factors are particularly common, meaning they can exacerbate the condition in elderly people, or increase their risk of developing types one and two:

• Hereditary links (common with diabetes type 1)

• Ethnicity (white people are more likely to develop type 1, while other ethnicities may be at higher risk from type 2)

• Being overweight

• Leading a sedentary lifestyle (not exercising more than three times a week)

• Previous cases of gestational diabetes

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Diabetes in the Elderly

Given the sheer number of telltale signs of diabetes, it isn’t always easy to be able to spot the condition right away. However, typical symptoms elderly people with diabetes exhibit can include:

• Fatigue and lethargy

• Numb or tingling hands and feet

• Excessive urination

• Diarrhea

• Blurry vision

• Excessive, unintentional weight loss

• Increased general pain

• Skin infections

• Increased thirst and hunger

• Loss of balance

• Slow healing from skin damage

In elderly people, some of the more unique signs of diabetes include sweet-smelling breath, cognitive difficulties, and skin darkening. Some older people may also experience swollen gums and dizziness (leading to fainting).

It’s thought that, as we age, we become more susceptible to type 2 diabetes because we become more resistant to insulin, and our pancreases are less effective at managing glucose.

Complications of Diabetes in the Elderly

We’ve split some of the typical short-term, long-term, and cardiovascular complications that elderly people might face into different categories:

Short-Term Complications

• Falling: Diabetes can cause older people to lose balance because of vision impairment and numbness in their feet.

• Neuropathy: Nerve damage can occur in the short and long term, but in the short term, older people with diabetes might suffer from nerve pain around the body. 

Long-Term Complications

• High blood pressure: Diabetes can lead to blood pressure spikes that could, in turn, affect essential organ performance, and increase the chance of strokes.

• Memory problems: Many older people with diabetes can struggle with memory loss and the ability to make judgement calls.

• Depression: Living with and adapting to diabetes can be highly stressful for older people, which might lead to feelings of long-term depression. Factors such as weight fluctuation, tiredness, and sleep problems can cause depressive episodes.

• Incontinence: In particular, elderly people might experience urinary incontinence due to nerve damage caused by diabetes

• Kidney failure: Untreated or poorly managed diabetes can lead elderly people to suffer organ damage such as kidney disease.

Cardiovascular Complications

Along with other vital organ failures, elderly people suffering from diabetes may be at higher risk of developing heart disease, suffering heart attacks, or experiencing other cardiovascular episodes.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly: Prevention & Lifestyle Changes

Thankfully, there are many proven ways for elderly people to carefully manage their lifestyles so that they can avoid developing diabetes and risk any complications.

Personalised Treatment and Medication

Instead of looking for catch-all cures, elderly people should consult their doctors or physicians to learn more about their specific condition, and how they can manage it with unique prescriptions. 

Your doctor will also help you understand how your blood glucose range works when it comes to monitoring your levels.

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Elderly people don’t have to go to the physician’s office for sugar monitoring tests! In fact, many of our customers purchase diabetes and blood monitors so they can safely analyse their levels from home.

Of course, you should never purchase a blood sugar monitor at random. Take a look at our complete guide on how to choose the right glucose meter before you buy.

Dietary Modifications and Meal Planning

Elderly people should focus on reducing their processed carbohydrate intake to avoid exacerbating diabetes. That means cutting down on sugar-filled drinks, processed snack items, and excessive sugar.

Instead, diabetics should try to introduce more protein, water, and fibre into their diets and plan meals with smaller serving sizes.

Exercise and Physical Activity for Seniors

Exercise isn’t always easy or comfortable for older people. You or your loved one(s) might consider simply taking walks, or maybe trying a little yoga.

Older people with a little more strength and flexibility might also consider lifting small amounts of weight to help build lean muscle. Swimming and even chores also count towards regular, healthy exercise!

Stress Management and Mental Well-being

Elderly people should try to practice breathing and calming exercises to help them handle stressful situations easier. It’s not always possible to avoid stressful situations, therefore, practising meditation and mindfulness, for example, are great ways to adapt to some of life’s more complex moments.

Preventing Complications

It’s possible to avoid certain complications brought on by diabetes even as you get older. For example, you can:

• Go to your doctor’s surgery for regular checkups

• Get vaccinated regularly

• Manage your cholesterol with low-fat diets

• Reduce alcohol intake and smoking

• Brush your teeth regularly and visit a dentist to reduce infection risks

Conclusion

Managing diabetes in the elderly can sometimes seem complex or even scary. However, provided you or your loved one(s) are willing to ask for help and to make lifestyle adjustments where appropriate, there are plenty of ways to stay healthy.

Just like our customers – many of our regular buyers rely on our monitors and syringes to keep track of their blood sugar levels and avoid potentially life-threatening complications. 

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