March 24 Is The American Diabetes Association Alert Day®
Today is The American Diabetes Association Alert Day today. And, now more than ever, it’s important to understand the facts about diabetes, particularly since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that diabetes can be one of the serious underlying conditions that place individuals at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, based on available information to date.
We share this information not to scare you, but to help guide you as you support your loved ones.
Here is some important and eye-opening information from the American Diabetes Association:
In 2018, 34.2 million Americans — over 10% of the population — had diabetes.
The percentage of Americans age 65 and older with diabetes remains high, at 26.8%, or 14.3 million seniors (diagnosed and undiagnosed).
In 2017, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, with possible underreporting suggesting the problem might be even worse.
The problem isn’t going away — 1.5 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Living with diabetes can be tough, but caring for an elderly parent or loved one struggling with the diagnosis can be just as tough.
Type 2 Diabetes, the most common form of the disease among aging adults, responds well to careful management. But that management involves lifestyle and diet changes, and such changes can be hard to accept for seniors already reeling from a frightening diagnosis.
Compassionate support and informed care can make all the difference, both for the senior struggling to see the positive transformations that can be made and for family members struggling to help. Please contact us 24/7 for a free assessment to better determine your family’s needs: (817) 887-9401.
Source:
ClearCare
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 - People who are at higher risk for severe illness