However, snacks are a key part of successfully managing diabetes, especially in the elderly. Family caregivers that are responsible for an aging loved one with diabetes must learn about the advantages of healthy snacks as part of their elderly relative’s diet and how successful snacking can actually help them stay healthy and energetic.

Senior Care in Arlington VA: Snacks for Diabetic Seniors

Diabetes and Seniors

Elderly adults have a high risk of developing diabetes especially if they have a lifetime of poor eating habits and a family history of the disease. Other risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and age. In fact, 1 in 4 elderly Americans over the age of 60 have developed diabetes. It occurs when the body no longer produces insulin to control blood glucose levels. Diet, exercise, and medication are the only ways to control it.

If diabetes is not properly treated, it can lead to serious health problems. These include high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, blindness, circulation complications and in some cases, a coma. The best hope for elderly adults with diabetes is to develop a healthy lifestyle that includes diabetes-friendly snacks that keep blood glucose levels stable.

Diabetes-Friendly Snacks

When it comes to diabetes-friendly snacks, not just any food will do. Medical experts recommend snacks that are high in protein and fiber and low in sodium and sugar. Seniors should eat snacks every few hours and pair them with plenty of water to drink. Elderly adults that depend on family caregivers and senior care providers to do the grocery shopping and meal prep should make sure the snacks are the best choices for controlling diabetes symptoms.

Here is a list of diabetes-friendly snacks that are ideal for seniors with the disease:

• Fresh fruit, not canned
• Nuts and legumes
• Peanut butter whole wheat toast
• Plain yogurt with fresh fruit
• Raw vegetables and dip
• Trail mix
• Protein shakes
• Fruit smoothies (no sugar)
• Tuna or chicken salad and wheat crackers
• Carrots or celery and hummus
• Veggie chips
• String cheese
• Beef sticks
• Baked sweet potato

The types of snacks to avoid include those with lots of sugar, fat, sodium and carbs.

Highly processed food is also unhealthy and bad for diabetics. Family caregivers should keep portion sizes in mind, even for the healthy snacks because too much of any food isn’t good for seniors with diabetes.

There are so many things that elderly adults can eat for healthy snacks that will keep blood glucose levels stabilized. Family caregivers need to educate themselves and their aging loved ones on the right kinds of snack, as well as when and how much to have so that they can successfully manage the effects of this devastating disease.

If you or a loved-one are considering Senior care in Arlington, VA, please contact the caring staff at Quality Health Services LLC.  Call today 703-910-7081

Source:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Elderly Care in Arlington VA: Senior Cancer Stress Management

Use these tips to help your senior manage their cancer-related distress:

• Reassure them that they are not alone. A diagnosis of cancer can make your parent feel isolated and alone. Reassure them that this is not the case. There are approximately 14 million people throughout the United States who are currently living with cancer, and the network of people caring for those sufferers is even larger

• Look at coping skills. Virtually everyone has coping skills that they use to help them through difficult situations. Look at the coping skills that your senior has used successfully in the past and encourage them to rely on those to help them through. This can include using relaxation techniques, meditation, exercise, spiritual guidance, journaling, or any other means that allows them to approach and manage their distress in a healthy, constructive way.

• Focus on the small picture. There are going to be days when your parent feels better than others, and there are going to be days when they feel worse. Encourage them to see each day as what matters and to focus on getting through that individual day. Seeing too much into the future can be overwhelming and frustrating. Instead, celebrate each day and each milestone.

• Stay organized. Feeling out of control and confused about what’s happening will only increase distress. Help your parent feel in control and anchored throughout the experience by staying organized. Keep records, write down questions and answers, maintain files of information and test results. Make these easily accessible to your parent and talk about them with your parent and their doctor whenever needed.

How can elderly care help?

Starting home care for your aging parent can be an exceptional way for you to support a higher quality of life as they age in place. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your parent on a customized schedule designed specifically to address your elderly parent’s individual needs, challenges, and limitations.

These highly personalized services help your parent stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy while also encouraging as much independence as possible. Services ranging from safe and reliable transportation, meal preparation and eating assistance, help with personal care needs such as bathing, toileting, and dressing, companionship, and help with caring for their home can encourage your parent to maintain a more fulfilling lifestyle and support greater motivation and mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being as they age in place. As their family caregiver, this can give you confidence that they are getting what they need both when you are able to fulfill their needs and when you are not.

If you or a loved-one are considering hiring elderly care in Arlington, VA, please contact the caring staff at Quality Health Services LLC.  Call today 703-910-7081.

Source:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroid-cancer/about.html
http://www.thyca.org/how-to-help/awareness/september/
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/emotional-side-effects/distress/what-is-distress.html
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/emotional-side-effects/distress/coping-tips.html