More than one-quarter of Americans over the age of 65 live with diabetes, a chronic, progressive disease that can ravage the human body over time if not managed. Among the many medical conditions and complications resulting from diabetes are heart and kidney disease, eye and circulatory system problems, stroke, nerve damage, and amputations. Between one and two million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year, with total direct medical expenses amounting to more than $230 billion yearly.
Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes because it almost always develops in childhood, mainly stems from either genetic components or exposure to certain viruses that affect the body’s immune response. Typically, with type 1 diabetes, a body does not produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose (sugar) levels.
The onset of type 2 diabetes usually occurs in middle aged or older adults, often as a result of poor health, lifestyle choices, or a family history of the disease. In type 2 diabetes, a person’s body gradually loses the ability to make insulin or make good use of what it does produce. Unfortunately, for both types of diabetes, there is no known cure; it is a lifelong disease that can only be managed.
Because the nature of diabetes is progressive, meaning it worsens over time and can affect multiple systems and organs, long-term care often becomes a necessity as people age. Here are three important things to consider relating to diabetes and long-term care.
1. Prevention is key.
Proper nutrition, exercise, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are all factors that can help a person avoid developing diabetes, or its precursor, pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal for a prolonged period of time, but not high enough to qualify as diabetes. Nearly 50% of Americans with pre-diabetes will develop the disease. Pre-diabetes can be reversed, however, if caught early and the risk factors contributing to the condition are carefully monitored.
2. Increased Incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
People diagnosed with diabetes will usually be screened for brain health, due to the higher prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s in this population. Although doctors have not yet pinpointed the connection, there is increasing evidence that high blood sugar and insulin levels can have a negative effect on brain function. Additionally, scientists do know that high blood sugar causes inflammation throughout the body, including the brain, which can lead to cell damage and cognitive decline. Other mental disorders, like depression, are also more common among people with diabetes.
3. End-stage diabetes care.
Although people can live with diabetes long term if properly managed with insulin and healthy lifestyle choices, as diabetics age they often need specialized healthcare. For those people with diabetes who do not do an adequate job of managing it, especially as they age and become significantly less mobile and more sedentary, the development of severe circulatory issues resulting in chronic skin infections and sometimes, amputation of their lower extremities are not uncommon. Many long-term care facilities have specially trained medical professionals on their staff and offer diabetes-related therapies.
While prevention is the best medicine when it comes to diabetes, it is possible to live a long life when the disease is properly managed, especially as one ages. Still, the need for long-term care when loved ones are no longer able to care for family members is very real. Fortunately, with an estimated 18% of patients in long-term care facilities having diabetes, options designed especially for diabetic patients, like diabetes care plans, access to wound care specialists and dietitians are becoming increasingly more available.
If you have questions about long-term care coverage or how NPFBA can help serve you, feel free to reach out to us via our website, phone, email or schedule a zoom meeting and let’s grab some face time!
