How to handle adult diabetes
By making reasonably easy lifestyle changes, you can cope

If you've been told by a healthcare professional that you have type 2 diabetes, it's normal to feel anxious or uncertain. But you're not alone- - almost 10.5 million adults age 60 and older in the United States have diabetes.

Diabetes is serious, but you can manage it. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers tips to help older adults learn to manage diabetes, avoid or delay serious complications and live longer, healthier lives.

What does a diabetes

diagnosis mean to me?

A diabetes diagnosis means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. You will need to keep your blood glucose under control to help you avoid or delay serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage and other health problems.

Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs it for energy, but too much is not good for your health. Your pancreas makes insulin, which helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells then take glucose and turn it into energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin but cells cannot use it very well. You may need to take insulin or pills to help your body's supply of insulin work better.

You'll need to take good care of yourself and your diabetes to feel better and stay healthy. One way to help prevent diabetes complications is to manage your ABCs:

A is for the A1C test. It measures your average blood glucose level over the past three months.

B is for blood pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard.

C is for cholesterol. Bad cholesterol, or LDL, builds up and clogs your arteries.

Ask your healthcare team the following questions so you can know how to manage your ABCs:

•Should I check my blood glucose? If so, when, and how often?

•What should I do if my blood glucose is too high or too low?

•What are my ABC numbers? What should by ABC numbers be?

•Do I qualify for any Medicare benefits that will help me manage my diabetes?

•How can I learn more about how to make healthy food choices and be physically active?

•Where can I learn more about how to manage my diabetes?

Make small changes

to manage diabetes

Healthy eating and regular physical activity are keys to good health at any age- especially if you have diabetes. Choose healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains and lowfat or nonfat milk products. If you are unable to cook for yourself, find out about a community program in your area that serves or delivers meals. Call the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 for information on the program nearest you.

Physical activity can improve your strength, flexibility and balance. Ask a healthcare professional about ways you can safely increase the amount of physical activity you do. Set small goals to start until you reach at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. If allowed, work toward doing strength exercises on two or three days a week- strengthening activities require your muscles to use force against a resistance, such as gravity, weights or exercise bands. Ask your family, friends and younger people in your life to help you. They can encourage you, lend a hand with setbacks and be there to celebrate your successes.