A-Abiding Care

Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years
Contact Us Today: 847-698-1400
facebook facebook

  • Home
  • Services
    • Getting Started
    • Care Concierge
    • In Home Care
    • Hospital to Home
    • Specialized Care
    • Assistance Services
  • Resources
    • FAQS
    • Community Education
    • Care Comparison
  • About Us
    • Caregivers
    • Management Team
    • Rave Reviews
    • Service Area Map
  • Employment
    • Employment Application
    • Commitment to Training
    • Service Area Map
  • Blog
  • Contact

October 2, 2018 by Michael Kernan. Administrator

Exercising Safely with Diabetes

Elderly Care in Skokie IL: Exercising Safely with Diabetes
Elderly Care in Skokie IL: Exercising Safely with Diabetes

Regardless of age, everyone needs exercise to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that seniors get in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. Exercise helps to strengthen muscles and control weight. Of course, when your aging relative exercises, you want them to stay safe from injuries. But, if your family member is diabetic, exercising safely is more complicated than just avoiding injury. Exercise affects blood sugar. For older adults with diabetes to exercise safely, it’s important to understand how exercise impacts blood sugar levels and what steps can be taken to avoid dips and spikes.

How Exercise Affects Blood Sugar

How exercise affects your aging relative’s blood sugar levels depends on a number of factors, including:

  • What their blood sugar level was before they started exercising.
  • How vigorously they exercise.
  • How long they exercise.
  • Changes to insulin dosage.

During exercise, it is possible for the older adult’s blood sugar to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be serious and requires immediate treatment if levels drop to 70 mg/dL or lower. Untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, losing consciousness, and even death.

Exercise Tips for Diabetics

Seniors with diabetes should not let the risk of hypoglycemia stop them from exercising. Instead, there are steps they can take to remain safe, such as:

  • Talk to a Doctor: Before beginning a new exercise routine, it’s important for diabetic seniors to speak with their doctor. Ask what kinds of exercise are appropriate for them, whether they should adjust medications, and if there are any other individual guidelines they should follow.
  • Carry Carbohydrates: Seniors should have a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as fruit juice, readily available in case of a blood sugar dip. The doctor may also suggest carrying glucose tablets.
  • Wear the Right Shoes: Not only can shoes that fit well prevent an injury due to a fall, they can also protect diabetic feet from blisters and sores. They should also wear polyester socks designed for athletes, which will help wick away moisture. Before and after exercising, feet should be inspected for blisters, cuts, and sores.
  • Medical ID: Seniors with diabetes should wear a medical ID bracelet to alert first responders of their condition in case of an emergency.
  • Check Blood Sugar: It’s important to check blood sugar both before and after exercising. It should be within the target range.
  • Be Alert for Symptoms: If the senior starts to feel anxious or shaky, or if they sweat more than usual, they should immediately stop exercising and check their blood sugar.

In addition to following the above safety tips, elderly care can also help keep diabetic seniors safe during exercise. An elderly care provider can help with inspecting feet and ensuring the senior is wearing proper footwear. Elderly care providers can also monitor exercise and offer carbohydrates if the older adult experiences signs of hypoglycemia. If a medical emergency should occur, an elderly care provider can call 9-1-1 for help.

If you are considering elderly care in Skokie, IL for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.

Filed Under: Diabetes and Exercising Safely, Elderly Care in Skokie IL Tagged With: Elderly Care in Skokie IL

Care is Just a Phone Call Away

847-698-1400

Senior Care Blog Topics

  • 5 Ways for Caregivers to Beat Holiday Stress
    • Caregiver Park Ridge IL
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Bath Safety and Seniors
    • Senior Care in Niles IL
  • Caregiver Stress
    • Caregivers in Rolling Meadows IL
  • Caregivers in Morton Grove IL
  • Chronic Illnesses and Home Care
    • Home Care in North Chicago IL
  • Consider Elderly Care Providers for Senior Night Care
    • Elder Care Park Ridge IL
  • COPD and Seniors
    • Elderly Care in Park Ridge IL
  • Dealing with Caregiver Stress
    • Caregivers in Des Plaines IL
  • Depression and Seniors
    • Senior Care in Glenview IL
  • Diabetes and Exercising Safely
    • Elderly Care in Skokie IL
  • Diabetes Care
  • Difficulty Swallowing
    • Homecare in Rolling Meadows IL
  • Education
  • Elder Abuse
  • Events
  • Exercise and Seniors
    • Home Care Services in Mount Prospect IL
  • Fall Prevention
    • Home Care in Park Ridge IL
  • Family Caregiving
  • Geriatric Massage
    • Caregivers in Niles IL
  • Healthy Habits
    • Senior Care in Park Ridge IL
  • Heat-Related Illnesses
    • Senior Care in Morton Grove IL
  • High Blood Pressure and Your Senior
    • Senior Care in Des Plaines IL
  • High Cholesterol and Seniors
    • Senior Care in Mount Prospect IL
  • Holiday Home Care
  • Home Care
  • Home Care Jobs Chicago
  • Joining a Caregiver Support Group
    • Caregivers in Skokie IL
  • Long Term Care
  • Long-Distance Caregiving
    • Elder Care in Park Ridge IL
  • Making Health Improvements
    • Elderly Care in Morton Grove IL
  • Making the Elder Care Decision
    • Elder Care in Morton Grove IL
  • Nutrition and Seniors
  • Oral Health and Overall Health
    • Senior Care in Rolling Meadows IL
  • Outside Activities with Seniors
    • Home Care Services in Morton Grove IL
  • Parkinson's Disease
    • Elder Care in Des Plaines IL
  • Preventing Falls
    • Elderly Care in Mount Prospect Il
  • PTSD and Seniors
    • Senior Care in Skokie IL
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis and Seniors
    • Home Care Services in Wilmette IL
  • Recipes
  • Responsible Social Media
    • Caregivers in North Chicago IL
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
    • Elder Care in NIles IL
  • Safety
    • Home Care in Park Ridge IL
    • Senior Care in Park Ridge IL
  • Sandwich Generation Caregivers
    • Caregivers in Wilmette IL
  • Seasonal Allergies and Seniors
    • Senior Care in North Chicago IL
  • Senior Health
  • Senior Independence
  • Senior Nutrition
    • Caregivers in Park Ridge IL
    • Home Care in Des Plaines IL
  • Senior Technology
  • Seniors and Driving
    • Elderly Care in Niles IL
  • Signs of Kidney Failure
    • Elder Care in Rolling Meadows IL
  • Signs Your Senior Needs Help at Home
    • Caregivers in Glenview IL
  • Sleep Deprivation and Seniors
    • Elderly Care in Glenview IL
  • The Importance of Hydration for Seniors
    • Elder Care in Mount Prospect IL
  • Uncategorized
  • Vacations with Seniors Needing Care
    • Home Care in Morton Grove IL
  • What is Elderly Care?
    • Elderly Care in Des Plaines IL
  • What to Do During an A-Fib Episode
    • Elderly Care Park Ridge IL
  • Why Hire Home Care
    • Homecare in Park Ridge IL

Have a Question About Senior Care?

Even if you're not ready to sign up for home care services, we are happy to answer your questions about senior care. Just call us at the number above, or click the link below and fill out the form and we will call or email you.

Speak to Our Caring Staff

Contact Us

A-Abiding Care, Inc. (AACI)
233 N. Northwest Highway
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-3343
PHONE: 847-698-1400
FAX: 847-698-1408
email: administrator@abidingcare.com

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on YouTube

Search

2015 Awards

Copyright © 2021 · Executive Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in