Older adults and type 2 diabetes: Everything you need to know

Age increases the odds of developing this chronic and serious condition. Find out more about your risk, the complications, and how the disease can be managed with lifestyle changes.

As you grow older, it becomes even more important to stay on top of your health. That includes having a better understanding of type 2 diabetes. It is a serious and complex health condition that affects about one in three adults ages 65 and older.

“When left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision problems,” says Libu Varughese, MD. He is an endocrinologist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas. “That’s why it’s so important to get diagnosed sooner rather than later.”

Preventing diabetes or managing it effectively can help you enjoy life and maintain independence as you age. A Matrix in-home health and wellness assessment can give you the tools you need to detect and treat it. If you haven’t booked your appointment yet, find out more here about this common health condition.

What is type 2 diabetes, and how is it different from type 1? 

Type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes have one big thing in common. Both conditions involve insulin, a hormone that helps turn the sugar from food into energy and manage blood sugar levels. But there are big differences too.

When you have type 2 diabetes, your cells become resistant to insulin. So instead of entering your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. When that happens, it can damage nerves, blood vessels, tissues, and organs over time. Type 2 diabetes is often caused by lifestyle factors like being overweight or obese or not getting enough exercise. It’s also more likely to happen in people who have a family history of the disease.

In people with type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin at all. Diet and lifestyle choices don’t cause type 1 diabetes. It usually first appears in childhood or adolescence.

Have questions about your health? A Matrix in-home health and wellness assessment is a great time to get answers from a licensed clinician — plus, it’s part of your plan! Call 877-302-3672 877-302-3672 to schedule.

What are the causes and risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

You can’t control everything that raises your risk of type 2 diabetes. Family history and your age — two of the biggest reasons why people develop it — are out of your hands. But you do have the power to lower your odds of getting it.

“Type 2 diabetes is often caused by lifestyle-related risk factors that can be prevented,” says Michelle Routhenstein, RDN. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator.

These risk factors can be addressed with lifestyle changes:

Weight: Being overweight or obese makes it harder for the body to use insulin.
Sedentary lifestyle: Less activity means your body uses less glucose as energy and uses insulin less efficiently.
Hypertension: High blood pressure is strongly connected to the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Poor diet: A diet high in processed foods and sugars can increase risk.

What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes seniors should look for?

Early detection can reduce the risk of complications. And the sooner you notice them, the easier they will be to treat.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

increased thirst and urination
increased hunger
feeling tired
blurred vision
numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
sores that won't heal
unexplained weight loss

How do I know if I need a diabetes test?

If you can’t remember when you had your last test, you’re probably overdue. The American Diabetes Association recommends annual screening for diabetes for adults 35 and older, even if you don’t have any risk factors. A Matrix in-home health assessment includes diabetes testing.

“If someone has cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, or fatty liver disease, they also may be at risk for diabetes and should be tested regularly,” says Routhenstein.

If you have risk factors, Medicare Part B will cover two diabetes screenings per year. That means many seniors should be tested for diabetes every six months. “In addition, a diabetes test should be given whenever any [new] signs or symptoms are present,” says Routhenstein.

Regular diabetes screenings give you the chance to catch and reverse prediabetes before it becomes full-blown diabetes. Nearly half of Americans over aged 65 and older have prediabetes, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What types of diabetes tests are available?

There are several kinds including: A1C and fasting blood glucose. Both are quick and painless.

The A1C test measures the average level of glucose in your blood over the last three months.
The fasting blood glucose test directly measures the levels of sugar in your blood after an overnight fast.

Experts sometimes recommend that older adults get two tests. Anemia, which is when you have low levels of healthy red blood cells that can be caused by iron deficiency, is common in seniors. And that can impact the results of the A1C test.

“It can cause the numbers to fluctuate. This is why fasting blood sugar tests are also important,” says Dr. Varughese.

Are you as healthy as you think you are?

Your no-cost in-home health assessment can bring peace of mind.

Schedule now

A team of 3 medical professionals standing in a row, ready to help.

What complications can type 2 diabetes cause?

When left untreated, high blood sugar levels can lead to some serious health problems:

Heart disease. Over time, increased blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves that control your heart and blood vessels, and it can lead to narrowing of blood vessels.
Nerve damage. Also called diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage happens when excess blood sugar damages the nerves and small blood vessels that supply the nerves, especially those in your hands and feet.
Kidney damage. Elevated blood sugar levels stress the kidneys. Over time, their filtering system stops working properly, leading to kidney disease or kidney failure.
Vision problems. Diabetes can harm the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and lead to eye problems that can harm your vision. Untreated diabetes can cause blindness.

Fortunately, these complications can be avoided if you stay on top of managing the disease.

“If seniors stick to managing blood sugar levels through regular monitoring, mindful eating, physical activity, and correct medication usage, diabetes complications are less prevalent,” says Dr. Varughese.

How is diabetes managed?

It’s different for different people. Every person living with diabetes has a care plan tailored to their specific needs.

“Diabetes management involves maintaining a science-backed healthy nutrition plan, regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar levels, taking prescribed medications if necessary, and regular medical check-ups,” says Routhenstein.

“Diabetes relies tremendously on self-management and lifestyle choices,” says Dr. Varughese. “Working with your doctor to develop effective diabetes management plans will ensure better control of blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life.”

Recommended reading: Build your diabetes dream team

What should I eat to manage diabetes?

Routhenstein says that people who have diabetes should focus on a balanced, nutrient-focused diet that limits sodium, saturated fats, and sugary and processed foods. The National Institutes of Health advises people with diabetes to stick to the “plate method” when planning their meals. That means:

Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like greens, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Fill one quarter of your plate with high-fiber carbohydrates, including whole grains, beans, and fruit.
Fill the remaining quarter with proteins including lean meat, fish, or plant-based proteins like tofu.

How does exercise help diabetes?

Exercise plays a crucial role in managing diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. And you don’t have to move a lot to make a difference: As little as two minutes of moving after meals can help blood sugar, according to one study.

Routhenstein also notes that regular exercise also helps you reach and maintain a healthy weight, which is a key part of diabetes management. Health experts recommend that older adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise and that they strength train at least twice a week.

What other habits can impact blood sugar?

It isn’t just diet and exercise that can cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall. Routhenstein says high stress levels, poor sleep, smoking, and catching cold and flu viruses can also have a negative impact on blood sugar levels.

Can diabetes be cured?

If caught early in the prediabetes stage, diabetes can be reversed through lifestyle modifications like weight loss and dietary changes. But even if you aren’t diagnosed until you have type 2 diabetes, there’s still a lot you can do to improve your outcome.

“Just like cancer, we can never say cure, but someone with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission through lifestyle changes,” says Dr. Varughese.

See our sources:
Prevalence of diabetes in people over 65: Endocrine Society
Insulin: Cleveland Clinic
Risk factors for diabetes: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Symptoms of diabetes: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Prediabetes: Centers for Disease Control
Complications of diabetes: National Institutes of Health
Plate method: American Diabetes Association
Exercise and blood sugar: Sports Medicine