As a family caregiver, understanding all of the ways that health issues can impact your parent is an important step in making sure that they get the care that they need as they age in place. If they are one of the more than 30 million people throughout the United States who are currently living with diabetes, this includes recognizing the link between diabetes and heart disease. These two health conditions are two of the most common and devastating health problems that can occur and they frequently happen together. Understanding this can help you to modify your care routine and support a healthier lifestyle for your parent to help them avoid or manage both issues throughout their later years.

Some things that you should know about the link between diabetes and heart disease include:

• Having diabetes greatly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease
• Those who are living with diabetes are likely to develop heart disease at a younger age than those who are not
• The longer that a person lives with diabetes, the higher their chances are of developing cardiovascular disease
• The risk for developing cardiovascular disease is higher among those who do not properly and effectively manage their diabetes
• Among those who are living with diabetes, stroke and heart attack are the most common cause of death
• Those with diabetes are twice as likely to die from a stroke or heart attack as those who do not have diabetes

The link between diabetes and heart disease is largely related to glucose. Those with diabetes have higher glucose in their bodies, which can lead to damage to the blood vessels and heart. Over time, this damage weakens the cardiovascular system and leads to heart disease. Those with heart disease may also experience challenges such as lower mobility that can increase the chances of developing diabetes. Heart disease and diabetes are also often linked due to their frequently overlapping risk factors. Being overweight or obese, eating a diet that is not well-balanced, and living a largely sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for both conditions. This means that an elderly adult with these factors is at increased risk of developing of both conditions, which can then contribute to the other.

If you have been looking for a way to enhance your aging parents lifestyle and improve their quality of life as they age in place, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting elder care for them. An elderly home care services provider can be in the home with your parent on a schedule that is fully customized to them and their needs. This means that they will have access to the care, support, and assistance that is right for them according to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations. The highly personalized set of services provided by an elderly home care services provider is tailored to helping your parents stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy while also pursuing a lifestyle that is as independent, active, engaged, and fulfilling as possible throughout their later years. These services can include safe and reliable transportation, assistance with running errands, help with activities of daily living and personal care tasks, meal preparation, medication reminders, and more.

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elder Care in Redington Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.