Signs Your Senior Parent May Have Diabetes

Diabetes is very common in seniors. According to the CDC, as many as 1 in 3 seniors has diabetes, and millions of seniors have diabetes but haven’t been diagnosed. It’s important that you pay attention to your parent’s health and watch out for any signs that they might have diabetes.

If your senior parent does have diabetes, getting diagnosed can greatly increase their changes of avoiding long-term health problems related to diabetes. If you are not around your parent all the time, getting personal care at home for them is a smart way to keep an eye out for symptoms of diabetes.

That’s because diabetes symptoms often show up physically, and a caregiver that is providing personal care at home for your parent will be seeing your parent’s skin daily. They will notice any changes that could be related to diabetes and alert you, so that you can get your parent checked by a doctor.

 

Common Signs Of Diabetes In Seniors

Every senior is different, so your parent may not have all of these common signs of diabetes. But if you or a personal care at home caregiver notice any of these signs, your parent should be tested for diabetes by their doctor:

 

Frequent Urination

One of the most common signs of diabetes is needing to urinate more often. This may happen during the day, but it is often more noticeable at night. Your parent might wake up several times to use the bathroom.

This happens because high blood sugar causes the kidneys to work harder. They try to remove the extra sugar from the blood through urine. If you notice that your parent is suddenly making many more trips to the bathroom, it could be a warning sign.

 

Increased Thirst

When someone urinates more often, their body loses more fluids. This can make them feel very thirsty. A senior with diabetes may drink more water than usual but still feel thirsty.

You might notice them carrying a water bottle everywhere or asking for drinks more often. While staying hydrated is healthy, constant thirst that does not go away can be a sign that blood sugar levels are too high. Personal care at home providers can help monitor the hydration of your loved one.

 

Unexplained Weight Loss

Sudden weight loss without trying is another possible sign of diabetes. Even if your parent is eating normally, they may start to lose weight.

This happens because the body cannot use sugar properly for energy. Instead, it starts to break down fat and muscle for fuel. If your parent’s clothes are getting loose or they seem thinner without changing their diet, it is important to talk to a doctor.

 

Feeling Very Tired

It’s normal for seniors to feel tired occasionally. However, extreme or ongoing fatigue can be linked to diabetes. When blood sugar levels are too high or too low, the body cannot use energy the right way.

Your parent may feel weak, sleepy, or worn out even after a full night’s sleep. They might stop doing activities they once enjoyed because they feel too tired. If fatigue is new or getting worse, it should not be ignored.

 

Blurred Vision

High blood sugar can affect the eyes. It can cause the lenses in the eyes to swell, which may lead to blurry vision.

Your parent might say that things look fuzzy or that they are having trouble reading or watching TV. Sometimes vision may go in and out of focus. While vision problems can also be part of aging, sudden or unusual changes should be checked by a healthcare provider.

 

Slow Healing Cuts and Frequent Infections

Diabetes can slow down the body’s ability to heal. Small cuts, bruises, or sores may take longer than usual to get better. This is especially common on the feet.

Seniors with diabetes may also have more infections, such as urinary tract infections or skin infections. High blood sugar can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off germs. If your parent seems to be getting sick more often or has wounds that will not heal, it could be a warning sign.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Personal Care at Home in Levittown, NY please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722