In keeping with National Diabetes month, The Aging Suite will be discussing diabetic neuropathy this week.  Diabetic Neuropathy can occur in all of the body’s organs, impacting the way in which individuals function safely in their homes. This impact can be due to issues such as sensation and vision loss as well as muscle weakness.  By educating our readers about diabetes’ effects on the body, we hope to continue in our efforts to help the elderly population successfully age in place.

It’s estimated that 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have diabetic neuropathy.  Diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage caused by diabetes, can occur in all of the body’s organ systems.  The cause of the nerve damage can be due to several factors such as:

• High blood glucose levels
• Abnormal blood fat levels
• Nerve inflammation
• Low insulin levels
• Smoking or alcohol use

Risk Factors for Diabetic Neuropathy include:

• Being overweight
• Being a diabetic for a long time period
• Diabetics who have a difficult time controlling their blood sugar
• Diabetics who have high levels of blood fat
• Diabetics with high blood pressure

There are 4 classifications of Diabetic Neuropathies; they are, peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal.

Peripheral Neuropathies
This is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy and is nerve damage in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.  Symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling
• Pain and cramps
• Loss of balance
• Muscle weakness

Autonomic Neuropathies affect the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, sex organs, as well as the urinary, respiratory, and digestive systems.  Symptoms include:

• Hypotension
• Being unaware when your blood sugar levels drop
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Urinary tract infections
• Urinary incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction

Proximal Neuropathies are more common among older diabetics and individuals with type II diabetes.  This type of neuropathy initially starts off as pain in the legs, thighs, buttocks, or hips.  Proximal neuropathies cause leg weakness, resulting in mobility issues.

Focal Neuropathies are unpredictable and can cause severe pain.  It often impacts nerves in the legs, head, and trunk.  This type of neuropathy occurs more often in older adults and can cause:

• Double vision
• Pain in the lower back and pelvis area
• Thigh pain
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Bell’s palsy

Diabetic Neuropathies can be prevented by managing your blood sugar levels and keeping them to a normal or as close to normal as possible range.   Diabetic foot care is also essential.  Sores and ulcers can lead to infection.  Diabetic neuropathies that cause pain may be treated with pain medications.  For those who experience urinary tract infections, they may be treated with antibiotics.  Your physician may prescribe occupational and physical therapy to address muscle weakness.  Check out this week’s technology in the Suite to learn more about diabetic foot care.

Source:   National Institutes of Health

The week of October 12-18^th is National Aging in Place week.  In celebration, The Aging Suite will be running a special three week series on the topic of Aging in Place.

So, what exactly is Aging in Place?

Aging in Place is defined by the National Aging in place Council as

the ability to continue to live in one’s home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

The goal of aging in place is just as it sounds, helping people age in place, within their homes.  For the older population, this may mean the difference between being able to stay and age in their homes or moving out and living with family members or at a nursing home.  The aging in place concept is great for older adults but is also beneficial for all populations.  For example, wider doorways are beneficial for people in wheelchairs but also benefit someone trying to maneuver a baby stroller in the house.  Lower light switches make turning on a light easier to someone in a wheelchair and to a child.

So, why is Aging in Place important and how can it affect you?

Everyone from baby boomers to senior citizens wants to be able to live out their golden years in the comfort and security of their own homes.  Baby boomers make up 28% of the US population and own 48% of all homes.  Boomers, now more than ever, are looking for ways to age in place realizing that they may need to make changes to their current homes or move into one that will allow them to do so.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

Aging in Place incorporates the concept of universal design.  The Center for Universal Design defines universal design as the:

“design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest   extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”

Some features of universal design include step-less entry ways into homes, wider doorways, handrails on both sides of stairs, use of grab bars in bathrooms, and lever door handles.

So, if you want to Age in Place and think you need home modifications, who do you turn to?

There are numerous professionals that may work with individuals who desire to Age in Place.  They can include:

• Builders and contractors
• Occupational therapists (OTs)
• Physical therapists (PTs)
• Realtors
• Engineers
• Social workers
• Interior designers

Some individuals choose to earn the CAPS designation by becoming Certified Aging in Place Specialists or CAPS.

Visit The Aging Suite next week as we talk more about the CAPS designation and how you can find a CAPS designee in your area.  To learn more about Aging in Place and CAPS check out these links.  AARP.org and  The National Association of Home Builders

Source: AARP.org and The National Association of Home Builders