The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age. Yet seniors can take measures now to prevent developing this condition in their golden years. Here are a few tips that can help your elderly loved one prevent diabetes from developing.
Eat a Plant-Based Diet
Processed and high-fat foods are known for contributing to the development of diabetes. Seniors should strive to fill their plates with fresh fruits and vegetables along with lean meats. Replacing sugary sodas with water also keeps blood sugar levels low.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs help preparing nutritious meals or making healthy lifestyle choices. Home care Reston experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Reduce Proportions
Weight management is essential for diabetes prevention. However, this doesn’t always mean a senior must stick to a strict diet. Instead, subtly reducing portion sizes can prevent overeating. For example, splitting a large restaurant meal in half can drastically reduce the number of calories a senior consumes.
Get Moving
Daily exercise goes hand in hand with a healthy diet when it comes to practicing weight management. For this reason, seniors need to find low-impact ways to stay active throughout the day. Walking with a companion, gardening, and doing simple chair exercises can all add up to a healthy workout by the end of the day.
If your loved one needs encouragement to adopt healthier habits, a professional caregiver can be an ideal source of support. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior care. Reston families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Stay on Track with Checkups
In the earliest stages, diabetes can often be reversed. Therefore, seniors shouldn’t delay their regular medical checkups, since this is the first line of defense against developing complications from untreated diabetes. If necessary, seniors can arrange for transportation to the doctor so they never miss a screening.
Involve Others
Diabetes prevention often requires drastic lifestyle changes that can be challenging at first. Seniors can make these changes fun by sharing meals with friends, asking for help planning healthy meals, and exercising with partners. It’s also important to let others know about the efforts that are being made, since social support provides motivation to continue working hard at preventing diabetes.
For some seniors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes more challenging with age. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Reston families trust Assisting Hands Home Care Reston to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. Call us today at 703-556-8983 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.