Helpful Tips for Seniors Managing Diabetes During the Holidays

With an estimated 18 million adults1, most of whom are senior citizens, suffering from type 2 diabetes in the U.S., many seniors and their families are concerned about maintaining good health during the holiday season. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Irregular schedules, sweet and salty temptations, and the added stress that often accompanies the holidays can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels. CareMore Health Plan offers the following suggestions to help seniors control diabetes and make their holidays enjoyable.

1. Control portion sizes and eat slowly. Be sure that your meals and snacks contain proper amounts of carbohydrates and proteins.

2. Eat five to six smaller meals and snacks at regular intervals. It’s easy to forget to eat while shopping or doing other holiday-related chores and this can cause severe fluctuations in blood sugar. Follow your regular meal plan and take healthy snacks with you to avoid this pitfall.

3. Fill up on salads, vegetables or calorie-free beverages before eating the rest of the meal.

4. Choose turkey breast, lean meats or fish that are high in protein but low in fat, carbohydrates and sodium.

5. Take a favorite, healthy recipe to a party. Vegetable or fruit plates or sugar-free Jell-O salads are ideal.

6. Focus on other enjoyable aspects of the season, like conversation, family and friends. Don’t let the season become a month of focusing on food and over-eating.

7. Maintain or increase your physical activity. Take walks after meals or engage in other exercise that you enjoy to control glucose. Be sure to wear proper footwear to prevent blisters or foot injuries.

8. Get a flu shot, watch out for germs and take your medication on time. Elderly people can be very vulnerable to germs, so wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when out and about.

9. Avoid alcohol. It is very risky for diabetics to drink, because alcoholic beverages can contain high amounts of sugar. Alcohol can also cause hypoglycemia.

10. Get enough rest and avoid stress. Stress and fatigue can elevate blood sugar.

“Living with diabetes requires vigilance all year long, but the holidays are especially challenging,” said Dr. Furman, chief medical officer for CareMore. “We know that there are temptations at every turn, but the effects of diabetes are cumulative, so it’s really important for seniors and their families to maintain good habits. These suggestions will help diabetics stay regulated, so that they will feel better and be able to enjoy all that the season has to offer.”

Facts about Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of this disease, and it typically strikes older adults. In type 2 diabetes, the body is either unable to produce adequate levels of insulin, or the body’s cells ignore the insulin, making it difficult for the body to process sugar. In a healthy body, insulin takes sugar from the blood into the cells. In a diabetic body, these sugars (called glucose) build up in the blood because the insulin cannot deliver it to the cells. This causes two problems:

Cells are immediately starved for energy

Over the long term, high blood glucose may damage eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart

Type 2 diabetes is a very serious condition. But people who have it may lead long, happy lives if they work with their health care provider to develop a long-term plan for managing their blood glucose levels, including healthy eating, exercise and proper medication.

About CareMore Health Plan

CareMore Health Plan, based in Cerritos, Calif., is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations that specifically provides coverage to seniors and those who are disabled. The company’s award-winning Medicare Advantage health plans focus on enhanced quality of life, wellness and the prevention of functional decline. CareMore proudly offers comprehensive health care programs for its members that are specifically designed and created by doctors to meet the needs of aging seniors. These plans include CareMore Value Plus, for all seniors eligible for Medicare; CareMore Connect for low-income seniors who are eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal; CareMore Reliance for seniors with chronic illnesses or conditions; and CareMore Touch, the only Special Needs plans available in Los Angeles and Orange County communities for seniors who reside in skilled-nursing facilities. CareMore earned the 2007 Senior Choice Gold Award for providing the best overall value in its Medicare Advantage plans.

For more information about CareMore and its portfolio of care for seniors, please visit www.caremorehealthplan.com or call (800) 499-2793, TDD (800) 577-5586.

1 American Diabetes Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes of Health