Pacific Grove, CA 75% Of Seniors Have Diabetes Or Are Pre-Diabetic
by Richard Kuehn on 08/05/12
Aging with diabetes can be quite a struggle, but with the proper diet, exercise and monitoring of blood sugar levels, you can live a long and healthy life. The Sunday Monterey Herald profiled Georgia Richardson who has been living for almost two decades with Type 2 diabetes. But at age 77, she doesn't let it get her down. "To be honest, I was in denial about my diabetes for awhile," she said. "It's as if I thought, maybe it will go away, even though I knew it wouldn't." She started a weight loss plan and has kept with it, exercising and eating more healthy foods. Almost 27 mil. seniors over the age of 65 (more than one quarter of them) have Type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Another 50% are pre-diabetic. Older age is one of the main risk factors for the disease, along with obesity, poor exercise habits. Certain ethnic backgrounds and genetic predisposition can also be factors. Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure as well as new cases of blindness and amputation for reasons other than trauma. It also contributes to high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks and dementia. "The dementia link is significant," Dr. John Bissell, chief of neurology at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, told the Herald. "I don't think that's well understood by people with diabetes. They have so many other health problems, and they have so many people beating on them about their weight because of those health problems," he said. No one wants to enter their golden years with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and my grandmother had Alzheimer's disease when they passed away. I am a big supporter of the Alzheimer's Association, which has a 24-hour help line at 800-272-3900. They are also the largest private supporter of Alzheimer's research in the United States. Please help them with their important mission if you can by clicking on this link for Family inHome Caregiving fundraising site for Alzheimer's Association.
