DIABETES AND OLDER ADULT

Diabetes and Older Adult



Diabetes and Older Adult

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic illness. The prevalence of this disease increases with age. According to Statistics, approximately 12.7% of Americans, aged 65 or older, have type-2 diabetes. It is estimated that over the next 20 years one in four people in U.S over the age of 70 will develop diabetes (Meneilly & Hamber, 2002). Over the next 20 years, the worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes is expected to double from 150 million individuals to over 300 million (Green, Hirsh & Pramming, 2003).

It is anticipated that nations, such as Canada and the United States, undergoing rapid socio economic growth and development particularly will be at risk for an increased prevalence of diabetes (Green et al., 2003). The following paper demonstrates type 2 diabetes is a complicated metabolic disorder that affects the older adult and necessitates complex daily life-style modification. Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that leads to high blood glucose resulting from either ineffective secretion or action of insulin.

The disease is characterized by high blood glucose as well as microvascular and cardiovascular complications that increase morbidity and mortality and reduce quality of life of individuals living with this chronic illness (American Diabetes Association, 2003). For example, long term exposure to hyperglycaemia as a result of uncontrolled diabetes predisposes individuals to vascular and neurological damage in target organs such as the eyes, kidneys, nervous system, heart and blood vessels.

Diabetes has been classified into three separate diseases: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus. For the purposes of this thesis, the focus will be type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is proposed to occur as a result of insulin resistance, decreased insulin secretion, or excess production of glucose from the liver (Green et al., 2003). This form of diabetes is more commonly diagnosed after the age of 30 and even more within the older adult population. There is a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes in certain ethnic groups including First Nations people. A strong genetic predisposition and a link to obesity have also been identified. Conventionally, type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle modification, diet and exercise. As the disease progresses the addition of insulin sensitizers, oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin are required to achieve optimum glycemic control, the central goal of diabetes management.

Discussion

Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of diabetes cases in U.S. The prevalence rates for diabetes, and in particular type 2 diabetes, have steadily increased in U.S and Ontario from 1998 to 2005 (Table 1). According to Skovlund and Peyrot (2005), the number of individuals living with type 2-diabetes is expected to increase twofold by 2030.

Consequences of poorly manage diabetes

The achievement of optimum glycemic control for individuals living with type 2 diabetes is challenging. Lifestyle changes include alterations in dietary patterns and activity levels to maintain an ideal body weight. Pharmacological interventions include the administration of daily oral medications and/or insulin ...