Studies indicate that diabetes is generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension. Because of this, the toll of diabetes is believed to be much higher than officially reported.
Prevalence
- Diabetes prevalence increases with age.
- Approximately half of all diabetes cases occur in people older than 55 years of age.
- The risk for type 2 diabetes increases with age. Approximately 18.3% (8.6 million) of the United States population age 60 and older have diabetes.
Seniors and diabetes-related complications
The complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, vision loss/blindness, amputations and kidney disease.
- Heart disease and stroke. More than 65% of people with diabetes will die of heart disease or stroke, and they are likely to die younger that people who do not have diabetes. People with diabetes have the same cardiovascular risk as if they have already had a heart attack. People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease (more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). Heart disease death rates are also 2 to 4 times as high as adults without diabetes. And, people with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke.
- Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. Each year 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in people 20-74 years of age.
- Kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy. Ten to 21% of all people with diabetes develop kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), accounting for 43% of new cases. In 2000, 41,046 people with diabetes initiated treatment for end-stage renal disease, and 129,183 people with diabetes underwent dialysis or kidney transplantation. People with diabetes who are over 65 years of age are twice as likely to be hospitalized for kidney infections compared with those without diabetes.
- Nerve disease and amputations. About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with diabetes. Each year, 82,000 people lose their foot or leg to diabetes.
How Do You Prevent or Delay Diabetes?
It is possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by reducing lifestyle risk factors through moderate weight loss and increased physical activity. A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and partially funded by the American Diabetes Association, called the Diabetes Prevention Program has shown that lifestyle changes can significantly delay and possibly prevent diabetes.
What is needed for seniors with diabetes?
In ideal circumstances, people with diabetes will have their disease under good control and have access to quality diabetes care including frequent monitoring by a health care team knowledgeable in the management of diabetes.
- Access to quality treatment is important. People with diabetes need affordable health care. As of July 1, 1998, Medicare will reimburse all patients with diabetes, regardless of insulin treatment, for the cost of blood glucose monitors and testing strips as well as non-hospital based diabetes education when provided by a certified provider.
- Health care team education is vital. Because people with diabetes have a multi-system chronic disease, they are best monitored and managed by highly skilled health care professionals trained with the latest information on diabetes to help ensure early detection and appropriate treatment of the serious complications of the disease. A team approach to treating and monitoring this disease serves the best interests of the patient.
- Patient education is critical. People with diabetes can reduce their risk for complications if they are educated about their disease, learn and practice the skills necessary to better control their blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and receive regular checkups from their health care team. Smokers should stop smoking, and overweight people with diabetes should develop a moderate diet and exercise regimen under the guidance of a health care provider to help them achieve a healthy weight.
- People with diabetes, with the help of their health care providers, should set goals for better control of blood glucose levels, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels
For information about how senior care can help someone with Diabetes, please contact "Senior Care Solutions" by calling us at 1-877-821-2270 or (916) 965-5565. |
