There are many factors that must be considered when deciding on a treatment plan for an older person that has diabetes. For example, what is the person's mental state? Is he or she mentally stable or are they facing deterioration of mind and memories? How long is their life expectancy? Does the older person have a possibility of living another 10 to 20 years or is the time estimated to be much shorter?
If the doctors have determined that there are plenty of years left in this elderly person's life, then you must acknowledge the fact that while having a longer lifespan left, it also leaves plenty of time for symptoms and conditions to develop from their diabetes. For this person, they are going to be required to have more intensive diabetes treatment during the upcoming years as opposed to someone who may be a bit older and is currently in a state of very poor health.
Below are the two levels of care that can be provided to the elderly with diabetes:
1. The first level of care is known as “basic” care. Basic care is typically the minimal amount of care needed to maintain a person's health. In other words, those elderly patients that are suffering from diabetes who were undergoing basic care are faced with the fact that they may soon be passing away.
They are not expected to live long due to their diabetes or any other illness that is related to it. Therefore, basic care will require such attention as keeping the patient hydrated, help controlling excessive urination, and controlling pain to a minimum.
2. The second level of care that an elderly patient may be categorized with is known as “intensive” care. Intensive care differs from basic care in that it is meant to be used for those elderly patients that have 5 or more years left to live. Any man or woman who is in their senior years with so much time left will undoubtedly face complications stemming from their diabetes. Therefore, intensive care is required in order to prevent or reduce the symptoms that will arise. Their blood glucose levels will need to be controlled and they will need extra attention in order to avoid hypoglycemia.
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