Diabetes is common in older adults and can cause serious health problems. It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan that meets your specific needs.
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for a while, you should have a treatment plan tailored to you that includes goals for sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, physical activity, and nutrition. Your targets may change depending on your situation, so it’s important to speak honestly with your healthcare provider and share with them your problems and the daily difficulties in managing the disease.
Here are some questions you can ask at your appointments:
- What should my goal be for managing my blood sugar and A1c levels?
- How can I prevent complications from diabetes?
- How can I avoid low or high blood sugars?
- How often should I see specialists like an endocrinologist?
To help manage your diabetes you can:
- Make a healthy eating plan that considers your age, other health issues, and ability to shop and cook.
- Find exercises that work for you and can fit into your daily routine.
- If you start taking a new medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist to teach you how to use it.
- Use the Dario App to track your blood sugar, monitor your blood pressure, and manage your weight to make sure you are reaching your recommended target ranges.
By working with your healthcare provider and making changes to your lifestyle, you can better manage your diabetes and stay healthy.
https://www.endocrine.org/ patient-engagement/endocrine-library/diabetes-and-older-adults
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC5483426/
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