Almost 24 million Americans struggle with diabetes every single day of the year, and an estimated 10% of hospital admissions are attributed to diabetes. This is 7% of the U.S. population, and a 30% increase from 2003! That’s why it’s so important for all of us to make the most of this month and spread the word about what we can do to slow the occurrence rate of diabetes. Together, through education and proactive behavior, we can reign in the financial, physical and emotional damage of this horrible disease.
What can you do? Start by educating yourself and others about diabetes. An astounding 57 million Americans are at risk for diabetes. Through education, you can save some of those people from ever suffering through the pain of this devastating disease.
Who Is At Risk?
According to the American Diabetes Association, the following people have the greatest risk of contracting type 2 diabetes:
- People with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
- People over age 45
- People with a family history of diabetes
- People who are overweight
- People who do not exercise regularly
- People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
- Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
- Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth
If you know someone in any of these groups, urge them to get screened for diabetes or prediabetes today.
Getting Healthy
No matter what someone’s age or physical condition, there are many things they can do to minimize their chance of getting diabetes. Suggest some or all of these tips to those who are at risk:
- Get fit and stay active. Being fit doesn’t mean you have to be a champion bodybuilder -- it’s about giving your body activity and exercise that makes you feel good. Depending on what shape you’re in now, this could be anything from playing some friendly tennis matches to just taking regular walks with loved ones.
- Eat smarter. Sometimes, budget and time constraints might make healthy eating seem difficult, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to cut the risk of diabetes. Start by opting for leaner meats, less soda, and more fruits and vegetables.
- Stop smoking. By weakening the overall state of your body, smoking can make you more susceptible for diabetes. This is just one more reason to quit.
- Maintain a good weight. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes. Losing weight can seem like a very daunting task, but don’t overwhelm yourself with an unrealistic goal -- even 10 or 15 pounds can make a big difference.
Some people may be resistant to these lifestyle changes, or find them too difficult or costly. Ask them to consider the costs of not changing. Diabetes patients spend an average of 2.3 times more for medical care than those without it. 60-70% of diabetes patients have nerve damage that can lead to hand and foot pain, sexual dysfunction, and other nerve problems. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Over half of all lower extremity amputations are because of complications from diabetes.
Diabetes is a dangerous, expensive disease, but it can be stopped. Spread the word about avoiding diabetes through healthy living. If you get even one person to listen, you’ll have made a big difference.
» Need care for a diabetes patient? Talk to your Home Helpers partner.
About Home Helpers
Home Helpers is the region’s premier provider of non-medical caregiving services for seniors, people coping with a lifelong illness or disability, and those recuperating from a recent surgery or hospitalization. Home Helpers is an agency, not a registry. We therefore employ our caregivers, and actively train, supervise and manage them. Our caregivers are thoroughly screened using our exclusive Care Check System™, which far exceeds state requirements. By utilizing our Client & Caregiver Matching System™, we ensure the best caregiver selection for our valued clients. We are committed to the delivery of a remarkable home care experience for the families we have the privilege of serving.
We don’t just take care of our clients, we plan for them, using our comprehensive and customized Home Helpers Total Care Plan™. Home Helpers is proactive, not reactive, and offers a flexible, affordable continuum of care that changes as our clients’ needs change. We tailor our care plans to our clients’ unique needs, and tap our extensive network of referral resources relevant to every aspect of care.
From occasional companionship services to full personal care and hospice support, the team at Home Helpers is with you every step of the way, providing guidance, reassurance and compassionate care, always.
To learn more about Home Helpers’ Total Care Plan™, call us at (877) 464-9090 or visit our website, www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com.