Aging & Health A to Z
Unique to Older Adults
This section provides information to help older adults and their caregivers consider their disease or condition in conjunction with other health issues.
As older adults live longer, they may have more than one chronic disease. Or, they may have a health problem that can lead to another condition or injury if not properly managed. The older adult may also experience healthcare in various settings, such as the hospital, assisted living facility or at home. These situations can affect the health and function of the older adult and therefore require careful management to ensure proper care and improve or maintain quality of life.
Diabetes and Other Conditions
Having high levels of sugar (glucose) in your bloodstream puts you at risk for a variety of other health issues—and that can make diabetes an especially challenging disease for older adults to manage. Having diabetes increases the chances of having heart attacks, strokes, kidney, or eye problems. And if you have diabetes, chances are your healthcare professional is also treating you for other problems, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, for example.
When you know what to expect, you can often prevent or limit the impact these problems can have on your life. Your healthcare provider will probably ask you about these conditions, or order tests to see if you have any of their signs. Don’t hesitate to discuss any symptoms you may experience, even if they seem minor to you.
If you’re an older adult who has diabetes, chances are your healthcare professional is also treating you for other problems, such as high blood pressure or arthritis, for example. And that means you could be taking several different medications, which can put you at risk for drug interactions.
Here’s how to steer clear of problems:
- Keep a list of all your medications and dosages (including any vitamins, herbs, over-the-counter medicines or other dietary supplements you take) with you at all times—this is critical, especially in the case of a medical emergency.
- When you visit your healthcare provider, bring your actual medications with you, so they can be sure the directions on the bottles are up-to-date.
- Know why you are taking each medicine, how and when to take it, and what the common side effects are.
- If possible, have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so that your pharmacist can alert you if prescribed medications could interact with each other.
- Read the information that comes with your medications, and ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
For reasons we don’t fully understand, older adults who have diabetes are at risk for depression—in fact, as many as a third of all people with diabetes may experience depression. Yet, according to studies, only 25 to 50 percent of diabetic patients are diagnosed. You might not take depression seriously, thinking that it’s “just the blues,” or that it’s not important enough to discuss with your healthcare provider. But in fact, depression can interfere with your ability to enjoy life as well as your ability to watch and manage your diabetes symptoms accurately. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs of depression and treat it as you would any illness. Feeling grief after a loss or having occasional days of “feeling blue” is normal, but when you feel sad or hopeless for more than a couple of weeks, it’s time to get help.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you have trouble sleeping, concentrating or remembering, or if you feel more tired than usual, have a sudden weight gain or loss, or lose pleasure in doing things you enjoy. These may be signs of depression. Treatment can help you feel better pretty quickly, and the earlier depression is treated, the better.
Problems with memory and brain function can be more common in older people with diabetes. Your healthcare professional may do some tests to check for memory loss. Be sure to let him or her know if you experience memory problems, if others have told you they’re concerned about your memory, or if you’re having trouble managing any of your daily activities (for example, balancing your check book or taking your medications).
Loss of Bladder Control (Urinary Incontinence)
Older women with diabetes are at increased risk for urinary incontinence, which is a common condition among older women. In fact, nearly 70% of all women experience problems from time to time, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed. Happily, simple approaches to managing incontinence exist, and your healthcare professional will help you find the solutions that work for you. Be sure to discuss any bladder control problems you experience so you can get the help you need.
Many factors put older adults with diabetes at greater risk of falling, including medication side effects, loss of feeling in the legs or feet, low blood sugar, or poor vision. Home factors, such as poor lighting and clutter, can also contribute to falls. Click here for good tips on preventing falls and making your home safer. And be sure to let your healthcare professional know if you’ve had a fall.
Pain caused by poor circulation or nerve damage can be a debilitating by-product of diabetes. It’s essential to tell your healthcare professional about any pain you may be feeling, especially if it interferes with your daily activities or quality of life. Never let pain go untreated, and never feel that you’re bothering your healthcare professional or complaining when you bring it up.
Updated: February 2013
Posted: March 2012