A Guide To Diabetes in Elderly

There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes means you can’t make any insulin at all. Type 2 diabetes means that you can make insulin but either not enough of it or it is ineffective. Other types of diabetes exist too, such as gestational diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy, and rarer types like Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA). All types of diabetes mean that glucose isn’t able to get into the cells properly so it builds up in the blood instead, which can cause a variety of problems. We do need some glucose though as it gives us energy, and the body gets this from breaking down the carbohydrates that we consume.

The hormone insulin is made by the pancreas and this organ regulates the glucose in our blood to go into the cells and fuel our bodies, releasing the right amount of insulin to make this happen. However, when you’re living with diabetes this system doesn’t work. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of diabetes, then your doctor will want to do a blood test to check your blood glucose levels.

Symptoms occur because glucose stays in the blood instead of being sent to the cells as fuel for energy. The body will then try and get rid of the excess glucose by flushing it out in the urine, causing an excessive thirst and frequent need to wee. Other symptoms include feeling more tired than usual, losing weight when you’re not trying to, cuts and wounds taking longer to heal, genital itching or thrush, increased hunger, and blurred eyesight. However, Diabetes UK warn that “not everyone gets symptoms. In fact, 6 out of 10 people have no symptoms when they’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.”

Hypo is short for hypoglycaemia, a dangerous condition that can occur if there is an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood. According to Diabetes UK, “Older people may have added risk factors which can lead to hypo” such as chronic kidney problems, lack of nutrition, insulin or other diabetes medications, or other preexisting conditions. Many older people are not aware of their hype symptoms, if they have any at all. This means that a family member or carer may be the person who notices the signs of a hypo. These could include being unable to concentrate, a change in personality, headaches in the morning, and disturbed sleep. Untreated hypos can be very dangerous and include risks such as confusion, poor appetite, falls, cognitive damage, stroke, heart attack, or losing consciousness. Treating hypos involves administering fast-acting glucose (if the person is conscious) such as a sugary drink, followed up with starchy food. If the person has lost consciousness, then emergency medical help should be sought. It’s a good idea to keep something suitable in a cupboard at home so that if you have a hypo, it can be treated quickly. This is just another good reason why having a Helping Hands carer coming to you at home, or even better living in, can give you and your loved ones reassurance that your hypos will be quickly noticed and treated effectively. Your carer will also help you to manage your diabetes through effective nutrition, medication, and activity.

There are often complex reasons why older people in particular struggle with poor nutrition and a lack of appetite, but they can include the side-effects of certain medications, limited mobility or dexterity, poor oral health, or the fear of choking. This can mean that older people can sometimes struggle to regulate their condition the same way a younger person may. Older people sometimes are reluctant to drink enough fluids due to concerns over continence, which can lead to dehydration and associated problems. If possible though, fat, sugar, and salt intake should be reduced and monitored by a dietician in a person with diabetes, and by care staff and family, where appropriate. Dietary advice will be delivered by a healthcare professional and could include recommending extra or less calories, meal replacement supplements, a low sodium diet or more manageable foods to reduce risk.

Helping Hands have been helping the elderly with diabetes to live well since we were established in 1989. Over the last four decades we’ve become knowledgeable about how best to help people living with diabetes with our elderly care. Our visiting care and live in care can provide support with every aspect of your daily routine. This could involve helping with your mobility, medication management, nutrition and hydration, personal care, or just giving you some essential companionship and emotional support.