For the average senior, normal blood sugar levels are considered to be less than 100 mg/dL after not eating for around eight hours. After eating, they should be less than 140 mg/dL. However, keep in mind that a physician is the best person to state when your aging loved one’s glucose levels are off. While blood sugar levels tend to fluctuate throughout the day, problems occur when they become too high or low for the body to function properly. Abnormal glucose levels can lead to issues that impact overall health, and knowing how to help your loved one keep his or her blood sugar regulated can help you assist with things such as diabetes prevention.
Signs of Abnormal Blood Sugar
When blood sugar levels get too high, seniors may experience issues such as increased thirst, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Seniors with low blood sugar may feel weak, shaky, and moody. If the abnormal levels become severe enough, it’s possible for a senior to faint or even experience a life threatening emergency. Fortunately, the symptoms that occur early on tend to be uncomfortable enough that most older adults seek medical attention before the problem becomes severe. Talk to your loved one about the signs of abnormal blood sugar levels so he or she can take steps to prevent a more serious health issue from occurring.
Diabetes is just one of the many serious health issues that can develop in the senior years. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care Fair Oaks, CA, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Things that Affect Blood Sugar in Seniors
The ability to regulate blood sugar levels becomes more difficult for the body to do as a person ages. However, there are other things that can affect glucose levels. For instance, certain medications can affect how the body processes food. Being ill or injured can also tax the body’s systems to the point that blood sugar levels become abnormal. A new diet or exercise plan also has an impact on glucose levels that can be beneficial if they’re done correctly.
When Abnormal Levels Become Diabetes
It’s possible to occasionally have high or low blood sugar due to causes other than diabetes. However, seniors who have chronic issues with regulating their levels may need to get tested for diabetes. Today, it’s known that seniors can sometimes prevent diabetes by making lifestyle changes during the early stages of the disease. A diagnosis of having prediabetes can serve as a wakeup call that motivates seniors to pay more attention to how their lifestyle choices affect their health.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
How to Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
There are some simple changes your loved one can do to manage his or her blood sugar. Your loved one should start by talking to the doctor about how to eat a proper diet that keeps blood sugar levels within the normal range, which typically involves reducing sugar and carbohydrates in the diet. Your loved one can also help his or her body flush out too much sugar in the blood by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If your loved one’s levels fluctuate too much, he or she may need to take medication to keep it under control.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Fair Oaks, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today at (916) 485-4663 to learn more about how we can assist your loved one at home.