The Prevalence of Type II Diabetes

The International Diabetes Federation (DIF) reports that as of 2013, 382 million people worldwide have diabetes.  The World Health Organization estimates that of those, 90 percent have Type II diabetes.  Furthermore, it is reported that 29.1 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and of those, 8.1 million are undiagnosed and unware of their condition.  One in ten adults 20 years and older in the U.S. has the disease, and in those 65 and older, the figures are one in four.  In addition the numbers are only expected to go higher over the next few years.  

Even though diabetes is a very common disease, each person’s care is very individualized. This is why the American Diabetes Association encourages people with the disease to become as informed as possible and learn about the latest medical therapies and treatment options available.  In addition anyone with the disease needs to understand what constitutes the best lifestyle choices in order to live as healthy as possible with the disease.   

Type II diabetes is one disease that often can be prevented or at least delayed by making some simple changes to your lifestyle such as regular physical exercise, eating a healthy diet and maintaining your weight.  Even for those that who already have it, these same steps can help to control the severity of the disease.   

The American Diabetes Association lists the following as typical symptoms for the disease, but also cautions that many people with Type II diabetes may have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed.  They also state that early detection and treatment of the disease is very important as it can decrease the risk of developing complications. 

Here is the ADA’s list of symptoms:

·         Urinating often

·         Feeling very thirsty

·         Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating

·         Extreme fatigue

·         Blurry vision

·         Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal

·         Weight loss - even though you are eating more (type 1)

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we provide care to individuals with diabetes as well as other ailments and conditions.  Our compassionate and trusted caregivers are highly trained to assist you or a family member with a broad range of non-medical care services. 

*Our post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical advice.

Source: healthline.com, diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?loc=hottopics  

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, SYNERGY HomeCare of Denver helped to honor “senior moms” by donating flowers for patients at the Orchard Park Health Care in Centennial, Co.  The flowers were distributed to residents in recognition of Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 9^th by the Daisy Girl Scouts Troop 3933 and the Boy Scouts Troop 461.  

The event, called Mother’s Day Surprise, was arranged by SYNERGY HomeCare’s Kim Paul who wanted to make sure that seniors, especially those without family in the area, would be remembered this Mother’s Day.  Paul organized the memorable event with the help of Orchard Park’s assistant activities coordinator, Karen Faust.  

The scouts, ages 5 to 8, delivered the flowers just as residents were finishing lunch.  Beforehand, the troops had prepared songs to sing as they handed out the flowers and all of the children wished the recipients “Happy Mother’s Day” in their best “quiet voices”. 

 

As Paul stated in an earlier press release, there have been several studies regarding older adults that show “loneliness and isolation can increase their risk for depression, stress and increased blood pressure as well as lead to premature death."  Her efforts to ensure that local senior moms would not be forgotten this year was a huge success in the eyes of both the residences as well as the scouts.  

SYNERGY HomeCare of Denver provides home care to individuals of any age and with any ailment.  Our job is to make your life easier and more fulfilled by offering the help you or your loved one need to stay independent at home.  We have a qualified team of trained and compassionate caregivers that can provide a broad range of in home care services. 

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the Front Range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

The Importance of Companionship

Recent studies conducted on loneliness in aging adults prove how important companionship can be to the health and well-being of an individual.  AgingCare cites a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) that shows loneliness can hasten a senior’s decline and death.  UCSF’s reports that, “people 60-years-old and older who reported feeling lonely saw a 45 percent increase in their risk for death. Isolated elders also had a 59 percent greater risk of mental and physical decline than their more social counterparts.”

The study found that some seniors who are isolated seem to have lost the will to socialize and push people away.  For others, the feeling of loneliness may spring from the frustration of growing old and not being able to do the things they once enjoyed.  One unexpected result from the UCSF’s report was that two-thirds of the respondents who said they were lonely were married or living with someone.  The report showed that even while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, some people still felt lonely. 

Care Novate suggests several things you can do to help a senior feel less isolated and alone.  They say it is important to engage your aging parent or loved one in conversations as it will help them feel appreciated and care for.  You need to take the time to ask questions and really listen to their stories about their past.  In addition you can help them to rekindle an interest in a hobby or to discover a new one, and find ways to help them socialize such as participating in a class.  

For families that live far away from their aging parent call frequently and send greeting cards or small gifts so they know you are thinking about them.  Also you may want to contact a home care agency such as SYNERGY HomeCare.  We provide companionship along with a host of other non-medical care services.  Contact us to learn more.   

Source:agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm,  carenovatemag.com/elderly-loneliness-older-adults-lonely/

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and are adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Exercising our Brain

Just as continuing to exercise our bodies is important as we age, so is exercising our brains.  Researchers have discovered that keeping our brain active can increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells.  The Alzheimer’s Association cites the following four areas to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement.

A Harvard Health Publication reports on “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” that outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.  The first suggestion is to keep learning because challenging your brain with mental exercises is “believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.”  The second step is to use all of your senses as the more senses that are involved in learning something; the easier it is to remember it. 

Believe in yourself is the next tip and reminds us that we need to continue to work on improving and maintaining our memory and not just accept the fact that old people forget.  Also they suggest prioritizing your brain use by organizing and designating systems to remember daily, routine things and save your brain for more important tasks such as learning new things.  Another step when you want to remember something is to repeat it out loud or to write it down.  Lastly they say to space out something you want to remember over a longer period of time rather than just repeating it over and over again all at once.  In other words, think about it again in an hour, then a few hours later and then once a day, etc. 

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests that to keep our brains healthy we need to stay curious and involved.  They recommend daily exercising our brain with activities such as:

·         Reading, writing, and doing crossword or other puzzles

·         Attending lectures and plays

·         Enrolling in continuing education courses

·         Playing games

·         Gardening

·         Memory exercises

Source:health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-at-any-age 

alz.org/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Hobbies Provide Health Benefits for Seniors

Hobbies are not only a fun way to spend leisure time but can be good for you.  Depending on the type of hobby, they can help to exercise your mind or exercise your body, and some do both.  In addition spending time doing things you enjoy can help you stay more interested in life, and most hobbies do not cost a lot to participate.

Creative hobbies such as painting, crafting, sculpting, woodworking, and photography can be enjoyed at any age.   The performing arts also provide another fun option for people of all ages.  In many communities, you can find a number of amateur or professional theater productions, and there are even theatrical groups geared just for seniors.  

Another great hobby for seniors is swimming.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that swimming offers a number of benefits for aging adults such as decreasing the risk of chronic illness and improving the health of those with heart disease and diabetes.   Also people can exercise longer in water than on land without joint or muscle pain.  In fact swimming can actually help to lessen osteoarthritis pain and improve joint health for seniors suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The CDC also says swimming can decrease depression and help to improve mood in both men and women. 

Yoga and other forms of stretching exercises are becoming more popular with seniors as it can help to improve flexibility and movement as well as to improve blood flow to the brain, heart and circulatory system.  There are many levels of yoga classes including chair yoga for those that are unable to get down on the floor. 

Another hobby that many seniors enjoy is genealogy and family tree scrapbooking.   Finding out more about your family history and putting together important pieces of your family history into a scrapbook or creating a family tree will be something of interest to your children and grandchildren.  This is a good way to organize and display family documents, photographs, memorabilia, awards, citations, and letters into your scrapbook.

* Before starting any physical activity, be sure to check with your doctor. 

Sources: caregiverrelief.com/activities-for-senior-citizens/

cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most respected names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. Currently we have 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to make sure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.