Caring Currents

Last week I wrote about how the A1c test, the current gold standard for monitoring long-term blood sugar control in people with diabetes, may soon be replaced by a new measure, the estimated average glucose (eAG) test.

Now it appears the old A1c test may be put to new use. A team lead by an edocrinologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is recommending that the A1c measure be used to identify potentially millions of people with undetected diabetes.

Current diagnostic tests designed to detect diabetes are limited, according to the team, as they only measure the amount of sugar present at the time a blood sample is taken. The A1c doesn't require a person to fast overnight, another significant advantage over both currently available screening tests: the oral glucose tolerance test and the fasting blood glucose test.

Diabetologists suggest the current screening tests may miss...  Read more

Flummoxed by those pesky percentages measuring glycated hemoglobin (whatever that is)? Unsure what that frequently flaunted 7 percent actually means and how it relates to home blood sugar monitoring? You're not alone.

But help may be around the corner for people with diabetes and their caregivers. Changes to the traditional, gold standard blood test (known as the A1c test), which provides a guide to glucose control over the past 90 days or so, may be coming soon to doctor's offices.

The switch is supposed to make life easier for everyone -- there are skeptics -- juggling the multiple health statistics that provide a snapshot of how well a person with diabetes is managing the disease. The new numbers, known as estimated average glucose or eAG, are measured in units that should look familiar to anyone who does finger-stick testing: milligrams/per deciliter of blood, or mg/dl.

Why the change? The...  Read more

The curious connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's just got a little more mysterious.

As fellow blogger Paula Spencer noted in her recent Alzheimer's disease conference round-up, researchers have discovered that people with diabetes who take insulin in combination with an oral diabetes drug have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those who only inject insulin.

It's not clear why popping a diabetes pill -- like metformin (brand name: Glucophage) or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase) -- along with injecting insulin dramatically drops a person's risk of this kind of dementia, but because several studies have found people with diabetes at much higher risk of getting Alzheimer's than the general population, this is a welcome finding.

In the investigation, people with diabetes treated with both insulin and an oral agent had 80 percent fewer sticky substances called amyloid plaques in the brain -- a hallmark of the brain disease -- than people who didn't...  Read more

I called my dad this afternoon to wish him a Happy 75th Birthday.

Since he's in Sydney, Australia, it was morning for him and he was delighted to tell me -- an avid exerciser -- that he'd just gotten back from the gym.

Yep, my father, who ran a busy medical practice and supported a family of eight, who rarely had time to scratch himself and never did much more than a weekly game of golf (well, he was a doctor) and an annual splash in his beloved Sydney surf, pumps iron and runs on a treadmill.

Who would have thunk it? He even got a personal trainer, no less, when he hit his 60s, retired, and all kinds of unfun health problems came to call.

Dad sounded especially sprightly over the phone line, like a little boy really, keenly anticipating his big birthday bash this coming weekend. I was reminded of my son, eagerly awaiting his own celebration on Saturday -- double digits! How did that happen...  Read more

You know that old adage about the elderly needing less shut-eye than younger adults? Well, recent research suggests it may be true.

To get a handle on the relationship between sleep and age, sleep scientists observed the slumber patterns of 35 men and women between the ages of 18 and 32 and 18 seniors between the ages of 60 and 72.

Study subjects were required to lie in bed for 16 hours a day. (Sheer bliss for some, no doubt, boredom for those who lay awake wide-eyed and restless). The participants lay prone for 12 hours at night and for 4 during the day for three to seven days.

During the observation period, the young adults slept more than normal. The older group slept 1.5 hours less per day on average and took longer to nod off than the younger set.

It's too soon to know for sure, but researchers speculate that what many elderly and their caregivers (both personal and professional) label insomnia could be a completely normal, age-related shift in their internal body clock...  Read more

A trio of new studies in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirm what dieticians and diabetes educators have been saying ad nauseum to people who want to avoid type 2 diabetes: Diet matters. And calories count -- big time.

The bottom line: Your best bet to stave off a diabetes diagnosis is to cut intake of high-energy, low-nutrient foods so you don't pack on the pounds.

In short:

Eliminate regular sodas and sweetened fruit drinks from the beverage list.

A 10-year study of almost 44,000 African American women -- who are at greater risk for diabetes than their Caucasian counterparts --  found that those who drank two regular soft drinks every day were 24 percent more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than women who drank less than one soft drink per month. Weight gain caused by empty calories may be the likely culprit.

Of note: Diet sodas, orange juice, and grapefruit juice were not linked to an increased risk for the disease...  Read more

Let's begin by debunking a common myth about aging: Falling and breaking a bone isn't an inevitable consequence of qualifying for a senior discount.

And education and intervention can help the elderly cut their risk for falls by 11 percent, according to a Yale School of Medicine study published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine. Fall prevention programs resulted in almost 10 percent fewer fall-linked hip fractures and head injuries, researchers also found.

Falls are a major concern for folks over 65 because fall-related injuries can cause physical or mental decline, restrict activity and independence, and result in life-altering changes of circumstances, such as placement in a nursing home.

In recent weeks, we've advised caregivers about medications that might make their parents unsteady on their feet, weighed in on the benefits of balance training and yoga, and provided extensive...  Read more

In the battle of the bulge, it turns out that the pen may be mightier than the fork.

I've weighed in with this weight-loss tip before: Keeping close tabs on what you eat by jotting down your food intake (all of it) in a journal, increases the likelihood that you'll shed some pounds -- often a first-line of defense against chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Weight Watchers has advocated food journaling for years.

Now there are stats to back up this nutrition sleight-of-hand. A recently released Kaiser Permanente study found that overweight people who kept daily food logs lost up to twice as many pounds as those who didn't. For six months, nearly 1,700 overweight adults were encouraged to eat a heart-healthy diet, get active -- and keep notes of what they consumed. They also attended weekly support groups where they hit the scales and shared their diaries...  Read more

If you're taking care of someone age 65 or older who's on medications, check out this handy reference guide.

Researchers are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have compiled a long list of prescription drugs -- including common antidepressants, seizure medications, and painkillers -- that can increase the risk of falling among older people who take four or more meds.

What do these drugs all have in common? They depress the central nervous system, which may make your parents both less alert and slower to react and thus more likely to be unsteady on their feet.

We've written a lot about the dangers of falls and fall prevention among the elderly in recent weeks. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries and a major factor in head injuries among the elderly. Studies suggest that seniors taking four or more medications are at two to three times greater risk for a life-altering stumble than those who don't...  Read more

How seriously do you take type 2 diabetes? That was the question posed last week by New York Times blogger Tara Parker-Pope in her popular Well column. It's an entirely valid one: The incurable disease, which can wreak havoc from head to toe, isn't considered as serious a health threat as cancer or heart disease, according to results from a recent American Diabetes Association focus group.

Why not? This underrated, insidious, and yes, deadly disorder is the leading cause of blindness, amputations, and kidney failure, a major player in heart attack and stroke, and can affect everything from hearing and vision to sexual and mental health and sleep. Yet many people think it's a minor condition that's easily controlled.

Described by one doctor as the "Rodney Dangerfield of diseases," it can be challenging to find ways to get people to give a damn...  Read more

Summer is here and gas prices are astronomical. There goes the road trip. So many obstacles in the way of a summer holiday.  Here's one that shouldn't stop you: your parent's diabetes.

It's true that eating on the road (or in the air) can present challenges for your parent with type 2 diabetes, but with planning and attention your parent can take a break and still keep her blood glucose and weight in check.

That doesn't mean, however, that she can take a break from her disease. 

Need inspiration? Fellow traveller Alan, an Aussie type- 2er who blogs about his condition, just completed an around-the-world jaunt that lasted seven weeks and took in nine cuisines. 

He's come back with a bag of tricks to share, including:

1. Order appetizers or soups. Either of these options is often  meal in itself, but if it isn't, your parent can order both. It's smart to skip main courses, which are often piled with too much food...  Read more

Most folks think that the greatest danger a senior faces from falling is a broken bone, usually a hip. Not so.

Fifty percent of all elderly people who take a tumble and bang their head suffer fatal brain injuries, according to a just released Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. And many more wind up in the hospital with head injuries that can cause long-term problems that affect thinking and other functions.

Talk about a wake-up call. Here's another: Every year, one out of every three Americans aged 65 and older take a spill, and a third of such falls cause injuries serious enough to require medical treatment.

Falling is such a big problem among the aged that Caring Currents has visited the subject several times in the past few weeks and included fall prevention tips such as reducing floor clutter, installing adequate lighting, and encouraging your parents to do exercises to maintain strength and balance...  Read more

Listen up: There's yet another test to add to the list of health checks and screens for your parent with type 2 diabetes. Turns out that hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes.

A recent NIH study found that hearing impairment is almost twice as common in adults with diabetes compared with the general population -- and diabetes appears to be a risk factor for the condition, independent of exposure to noise, certain medications, or other known potential hearing loss triggers.

Of course, hearing impairment and old age tend to go together, but a strong connection between diabetes and trouble hearing has only been hinted at until now. Researchers speculate that diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear.

So, when your parent goes for a doctor's visit and gets screened for the usual suspects -- foot problems, high blood pressure...  Read more

Researchers from Down Under have discovered that older folks who are depressed are more likely to take a topple than those who feel relatively chipper -- and seniors who take meds to deal with their depression are at even greater risk for falling down and getting injured that those who don't.

If your parents are prone to blue moods, these stats will make you want to watch their steps:

• People with depression taking antidepressants -- especially the commonly-prescribed kind known as SSRIs -- are 50 percent more likely to take a spill than other old folks.
• In women over 80 with depression on an SSRI, the numbers jump to 60 percent.
• Those with any degree of depression were up to 70 percent more likely to have multiple falls and injury than those who weren't feeling low.

Yikes! What to do if your parents are in the doldrums? First, find out if they're taking any drugs to deal with their depression; if so, you'll want to be extra vigilant to ensure they don't have a fall...  Read more

Does your parent with type 2 diabetes snore so loudly he could wake the dead? Then have him checked pronto for the sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

That's the take-home message from the recent American Diabetes Association annual scientific meeting. In fact, there's such a strong link between the two chronic conditions that the International Diabetes Federation is urging people with one ailment to get checked for the other at their doctor's office.

Here's why: 40 percent of folks with sleep apnea also have diabetes, while 23 percent of people with type 2 diabetes also have OSA, where a person's breathing becomes irregular or stops momentarily during sleep. Research suggests that treating the sleep disorder can also work to lower blood sugar. That's a win-win for two disorders that can be managed but that can wreak major heart-related havoc if left unchecked.

Treatment...  Read more

What to make of the mixed messages about heart health from three type 2 diabetes studies that generated big buzz at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Francisco last weekend?

These large-scale studies investigated the value of lowering blood glucose levels more aggressively than is typically recommended, in an effort to ward off complications like cardiovascular disease. Prior to the study findings, the conventional wisdom on strict glucose control was that the lower the A1c test reading the less likelihood of heart trouble.

But earlier this year investigators on the National Institutes of Health ACCORD study reported that folks in the intense treatment group had a 22 percent higher risk for heart attack, and that arm of the study was promptly halted after 54 more deaths in that group.

Last week, the ADVANCE study researchers from Australia reported finding that intense blood sugar control reduces the risk of kidney complications by 21 percent...  Read more

Who would have thought that brushing and flossing would have an impact on type 2 diabetes?

Turns out to be true on both the prevention and treatment fronts. People with severe periodontal (or gum) disease may be at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and folks who already have diabetes may find that diabetes makes gum disease worse and, conversely, having gum disease may make blood sugar control more difficult.

But those with diabetes can help control gum disease and ward off serious diabetes complications by taking care of their pearly whites, according to a review of several recent studies discussed by dentists at the American Diabetes Association's annual scientific meeting in San Francisco last weekend.

Here's the tricky part: Gum disease, an infection and chronic inflammation of the delicate tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, is often painless, so those with the condition...  Read more

Fish. Olive oil. Fruits and vegetables. Nuts. Legumes. Wine. A diet that favors these foods in moderation and downplays animal products -- staple mealtime menus in countries such as Italy and Greece -- has long been heralded as just the kind of heart healthy fare folks should put on their plate, wherever they reside.

The traditional Mediterranean diet got another huge thumbs up last week in coverage that spanned the globe -- from the U.S. and Iran to Ireland and India -- when  a Spanish study found that consuming this flavorful fare may go a long way to warding off type 2 diabetes as well. 

The more closely participants in the study held to the diet, the more they reduced their risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. And those who held to it most strictly reduced their risk for the disease by a whopping 83 percent. Wow.

Scientists suspect that eating these unprocessed offerings may...  Read more

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an often hush-hush complication of type 2 diabetes. Damage to blood vessels caused by this chronic condition can also impact the most intimate of bodily functions. Now, a pair of studies adds to existing evidence that more than romance is at stake. 

Turns out that for men with diabetes, suffering from ED may be a potent marker for serious cardiac trouble, including heart attack and death. The same process that impedes blood flow to maintain an erection, scientists speculate, may have even longer lasting and more damaging consequences on the heart.

One investigation found that common cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins could cut the risk of heart problems by about one-third -- and suggested that ED meds such as Viagra may offer similar protection.

Importantly, the research underscores an often overlooked matter: Men should be encouraged to report ED to their healthcare professionals...  Read more

Big news this week on the diabetes beat. You know that mantra about how physical activity and healthy eating can buy some time by delaying or preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes?

Well, how about 14 years' worth? Mounting evidence suggests that the best defense against developing diabetes is lifestyle changes, and that theory got a big boost this week from a research review in the special diabetes issue of The Lancet medical journal. 

Study authors analyzed data on 577 Chinese citizens with impaired glucose tolerance and found that prodding them to get moving and eat their greens paid off: Folks who followed the interventions for a six-year period were able to ward off the chronic condition for up to 14 years following the preventive treatment. Wow.

Need a refresher on how to feed your parents to keep diabetes at bay? The American Diabetes Association offers advice on healthy eating habits...  Read more

As we age, there's a natural loss of balance that can lead to catastrophic falls. The stats for stumbles for the senior set are alarming: Of the folks who fracture a hip after taking a tumble, only 25 percent make a complete recovery, 40 percent require at least temporary nursing home care, and almost 25 percent over the age of 50 die within 12 months of a hip fracture, according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times.

Data like that is downright depressing.  But seniors can help to prevent falls by keeping their balance skills sharp as they age -- and even improve these abilities -- through balance training exercises.

Balance is important for such everyday activities as pulling on pants while standing, getting in and out of a car, and navigating varied terrain such as curbs and stairs -- and it can help your parent stay independent by preventing injury.

Physical activities that focus...  Read more

Here's a potential drug delivery system most folks can, well, if not swallow, at least nibble on. A biotech company just announced it's about to begin testing a chewing gum version of the diabetes medication metformin, a generic drug that's often the first prescription pill for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The small study -- around 36 volunteers willing to masticate for the greater good -- will investigate whether Generex's MetControl chewing gum keeps diabetes in check as well as metformin tablets currently on the market.

Metformin, the most widely prescribed type 2 diabetes drug, does two jobs rather well: It regulates blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity in cells. But many folks who might benefit from taking this pill avoid it because of side effects (think tummy troubles like nausea, vomiting, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating)...  Read more

Last month I looked at the link between Alzheimer's disease and diabetes, two diseases that are soaring at an alarming rate in the U.S. Recent research reveals people with type 2 diabetes have a 65 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than people who don't have diabetes.

Why this is so remains a medical mystery. But a study just out may provide some answers to the connection between the two conditions. Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies recently published a report that reveals that the blood vessels in the brains of young mice with diabetes are damaged by the interaction of high blood sugar, a characteristic typical of diabetes, and low levels of a compound called beta amyloid, a protein that clumps to form the senile plaques that riddle the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

What's more, this brain vessel damage occurred well before any obvious signs of Alzheimer's emerged, such as nerve cell death or amyloid deposits, the hallmark of the disease, could be detected in the mice's brains...  Read more

If you've had difficulty finding a physician knowledgeable in treating the elderly, you're far from alone. And this shortage of geriatric specialists is only going to get worse. The "Silver Tsunami" is coming -- baby boomers on the verge of retirement -- and on their wish list: A physician who specializes in treating older people. But, according to a recent survey, few can locate such a doctor.

Nearly 9 out of 10 women polled considered it important to have a doc with senior-care expertise and some 26 percent say their health may have suffered because their provider didn't have such training, according to a nationwide survey of adults 55 and over, conducted by Zogby International for ASAH or the American System for Advancing Senior Health.

These findings are borne out elsewhere. A report last month from the Institute of Medicine revealed that geriatricians are already in short supply...  Read more

Do your parents skimp on sleep or slumber endlessly? Research just in adds to growing evidence that suggests poor sleep patterns can harm the body and mess with the mind.

If your parents sleep fewer than six hours a night, they're more likely to be obese than people who get the proper amount of rest, according to the new report, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. The study also linked poor sleep hygiene to lower rates of physical activity across all ages.

It's not clear from this survey whether it's a sleep deficit or oversleeping that leads to inactivity, or if inactivity impacts sleep. The study doesn't draw conclusions about cause and effect. But we can. It doesn't take a government scientist to figure out that your folks need to get enough -- but not too many -- zzzzs. Sleep experts recommend people go to bed when tired and wake naturally in the morning...  Read more

Is it a mouse? A loose floorboard? A door hinge that needs oiling? Believe it or not, that squeak you hear may be caused by your parents' artificial hip.

Yes, folks, according to the New York Times, hundreds of recipients of hip implants made from ceramic materials -- heralded as the new, more durable models than older artificial hips made of metal and plastic -- are complaining that the sound emanating from their hip interferes with their everyday life. It's annoying when bending down. It's embarrassing when climbing stairs. It's a romance killer when engaging in the, um, most intimate of activities. Oh my!

This unwanted creaking malfunction remains something of a medical mystery. Patients and surgeons who talked with the Times raised concerns about whether the unwanted sound may signal that these replacement joints are wearing out prematurely. Some have opted to have subsequent surgeries to have the squeaky offenders removed...  Read more

So we know that being overweight in general, and having too much belly fat in particular, can put a person at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. This kind of fat -- called visceral fat -- wraps around the waist and organs and can lead to all kinds of health problems, including diabetes.

But who would have thunk that an ample derriere might be a weapon against this chronic condition?

Take it from no less reputable a source than internationally-renowned researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Joslin Diabetes Center, who reported this week that body fat found just below the skin -- and especially on the buttocks, hips, and thighs -- may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Should you steal a glance at your parents' backsides -- or your own -- and start placing bets? Probably premature at this point: The study was done on mice, after all.

But the research may pave the way to shaking up some of the current thinking on the role of body fat and its link to type 2 diabetes...  Read more

Keep moving! That's the mantra people with diabetes and arthritis hear ad nauseum from their healthcare team. And it makes sense: Studies show that exercise plays a key role in managing both conditions. Lower blood sugar and lower risk of complications for people with diabetes. Less joint pain and more mobility for those with arthritis. Obviously, obstacles to staying fit can hinder folks with these illnesses. Stiffness. Obesity. Pain. Lack of interest. High blood pressure. Difficulty finding something fun or safe. To name just a few.

But what if your parents are afflicted with both conditions?

Turns out, there are a lot of people in that predicament. Folks diagnosed with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have arthritis, and the inactivity caused by arthritis gets in the way of successfully managing both diseases, according to a study just out from the Centers for Disease Control and...  Read more

Is self-monitoring worth the effort and expense? While home testing is generally viewed as a no-brainer among most diabetes health organizations and educators, there's actually some debate among medical professionals about whether people with type 2 diabetes who don't use insulin should bother with managing their disease through blood sugar monitoring on a regular basis.

The naysayers recently got a boost from two studies out of the UK published in the British Medical Journal. In a nutshell: The researchers found no evidence to suggest that self-monitoring improved glucose control or had any impact on the use of medication or the frequency of low blood sugar incidents.

What they did find: People who religiously pricked their fingers and checked their numbers self-reported more depression than those who didn't test...  Read more

Here's the skinny on some prescription meds: They can cause weight gain. 

Several diabetes drugs -- as well as some blood pressure pills and certain antidepressants -- are among common culprits.

As Benjamin Brewer, who pens The Doctor's Office column for the Wall Street Journal, recently noted, it can be tricky balancing the benefits of a drug like, say, glipizide, which helps lower blood glucose but has the drawback that it can add unwanted inches to the waistline (which could lead to other health concerns).

Sometimes, Brewer adds, people with diabetes have to choose between cheaper meds and a thinner body. As it turns out, some of the newer diabetes drugs that don't lead to weight gain are a lot more expensive than the older, cheaper pills that may cause folks to bulk up.

And as Jacob Goldstein, Brewer's blogging buddy at the Journal points out, it's often impossible to predict who will actually experience side effects -- in this case stacking on extra pounds -- from certain drugs...  Read more

Your parents with type 2 diabetes should take drug ABC to control their blood sugar. No -- wait -- your parents should stop taking these pills because a new study showed they may lead to heart attack. Or kidney problems. Or liver trouble.

Or, as we learned last week, an increased risk for broken bones. In case you didn't catch this latest one: Researchers reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine that a widely prescribed class of diabetes meds called thiazolidinediones (commonly known as TZDs) accounted for a two to three times greater risk of hip and wrist fractures. The agents studied -- piogliazone (brand name: Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) have previously been linked to reduced bone formation and accelerated bone loss. And they've also been linked to an increased risk of heart failure. 

So what, exactly, are folks with diabetes and their caregivers supposed to do with this kind of information...  Read more

Whose parents don't complain about how hard it is to get a good night's rest? Despite the common misconception, trouble sleeping isn't part of healthy aging. America is a nation of restless sleepers and recent news accounts suggest the elderly are far from immune to sleep disorders.

Consider:

• Around half of all adults aged 60 and older suffer from insomnia.
• Sleep apnea affects almost 40 percent of adults and is more common among the elderly.
• Restless legs syndrome keeps more than 20 percent of seniors awake at night.

Add to this list other factors such as illness, medications, and hormonal changes  -- not to mention the need for middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks -- and it's little wonder that anyone over 65 gets to visit the Land of Nod.

Sleep deprivation can take a heavy toll...  Read more

Seniors have long been encouraged to take up yoga for its mind, body, and soul benefits.  Now there's another reason to practice the tree pose position: Recent research indicates that yoga may improve stability and balance in women over age 65, which could help reduce the risk of falling.

That's a welcome finding. As fellow Caring.com blogger Kate Rauch recently reported, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries and deaths among older adults. Almost a third of all seniors suffer some type of fall each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which can lead to injuries such as a broken hip.

So strategies to avoid falls are in demand. In this latest study, researchers  investigated a style of yoga called Iyengar -- a technique known for its use of props such as belts, blocks, and bolsters. Given this promising news, it's worth looking for an Iyengar yoga class geared toward older adults at the local senior center, community hall, or assisted living residence...  Read more

Compliance. Adherence. Following doctor's orders.

Whatever you choose to call it, most caregivers agree that one of the hardest parts of looking after someone with type 2 diabetes is getting him to do what he's supposed to. Dad, who's had diabetes for years, recently had a stroke, and yet he continues to smoke.  Mom struggles with managing her diabetes and keeping UTI's at bay, but still she can't give up her sweets.

Sound familar? If your parent has had diabetes for some time, then chances are you've already figured out that nagging, yelling, bossing, lecturing, and pleading won't make him watch what he eats. Or get some exercise. Or check blood sugar. Or even take his meds.

So how can you make a difference? Sometimes, it's something as simple as how you deliver the message. Instead of telling your parent what to do, try quizzing him on what he's willing to do, advises Caring...  Read more

Over at Diabetes Notes, Kendra James, a critical care cardiac nurse, flags the latest in a growing body of evidence linking diabetes with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  That’s cause for concern for James -- who has type 2 diabetes herself, as does her mother and sister -- because people with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as people without the disorder. If your parent has type 2 diabetes it’s worrisome to think you may face this double whammy diagnosis down the track. 

But fellow Caring.com blogger Paula Spencer offers many strategies you can use to help you and your parent deal with these brain disorders. To begin with, keep an eye out for warning signs that your parent may have Alzheimer’s...  Read more

Cutting-edge inventors appear to be up to the task of designing gadgets to help take some of the hassle out of dealing with diabetes.

Check out these innovative offerings that can make daily living for you and your aging parents a little easier.

• Help is in sight for the visually impaired: A new, talking glucose meter, the Prodigy Voice, allows the blind and visually impaired to check their blood glucose without assistance, reports the online newsletter Diabetes in Control. The affordable meter, designed in consultation with the National Federation of the Blind, requires only a small blood sample and provides fast results.

• Address forgetfulness with advanced solutions: This article on medications describes high-tech aids to combat memory loss so your parent takes his meds on time. Or consider the MD.2 Personal Medication System, which gives verbal and text alerts, automatically dispenses pills, and monitors missed doses...  Read more

Here's an inspiring little guide (it's free) that everyone caring for a loved one with type 2 diabetes should get their hands on.

Self-help guru Stephen R. Covey teamed up with the American Association of Diabetes Educators to adapt his international bestseller and business-world bible, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, to help people with diabetes (and their loved ones) see diabetes not as a setback but as a chance to take charge of their lives. Covey brings personal experience to the project: His wife was diagnosed with the disease.

The first few of Covey's seven habits, refashioned for people with diabetes and their caregivers look like this:

1. Be proactive: Many things in life are beyond your control -- and that may include a diabetes diagnosis. But how you and your parent respond to the disease is within your control. For your parent, that might mean thinking: "I choose to eat healthfully," instead of: "I have to eat healthfully...  Read more

In my very own real (not virtual) backyard lives Jerry, a 79-year-old man with type 2 diabetes who recently had a stroke. His daughter Jill has his housing under control: When it became clear her ailing father needed a place to live close to her she simply built him a little cottage behind the bungalow she already owned. With some trial and error she’s also figured out that signing up for Meals on Wheels means her Dad eats regularly and healthily, and hiring a visiting nurse takes care of his personal hygiene needs, such as bathing and toenail clipping.

Her biggest dilemma: Finding companionship for her father. Like most of us in the so-called sandwich generation she has a very busy life. A family of her own, work commitments, and travel keep her on the go. She swings by to chat with her dad, takes care of his financial matters, and addresses his health concerns, but she isn’t able to simply hang out with him for hours on end...  Read more

Today’s the day to take the test. It’s American Diabetes Alert Day, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, an annual event and urgent call-to-action for folks to learn their risk for type 2 diabetes.

Who should do it? Anyone who's overweight, physically inactive, over the age of 45, or has a family history of diabetes – all risk factors for this chronic condition – should take a minute to answer seven simple questions on the Diabetes Risk Test. A score of 10 points or more indicates a greater risk for diabetes and an appointment to see a healthcare provider pronto is recommended.

Why bother? Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic levels: A staggering one out of every five Americans are at high risk for getting diabetes – many may already have the disease and not know it. Left unchecked, the condition can cause complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease...  Read more

Blogger Amy Tenderich at Diabetes Mine recently ran a quirky contest based on Michael Pollan's famous seven-word manifesto: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Pollan's seven words of wisdom, the lead to a New York Times Magazine piece that became the basis for his new book, In Defense of Food, have inspired others to craft their own "seven word" mantras and hold haiku-like, seven-word competitions, including at the Times. In the same vein, Tenderich challenged the diabetes community to come up with just a few key words to live by.

Her winners, announced today:

• Be diligent. Be educated. You're not alone.
• Check your glucose. Check again. Check again.
• Every day is different, not exact science.

My personal favorites:

• Live as if you were not ill.
• Check your blood. Eat moderately. Live joyfully.
• Find support. Become an expert. Keep learning.

That last one seems particularly on point for people caring for parents with diabetes...  Read more

A recent commentary in JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association, makes the case for weight loss and lifestyle changes as a more effective treatment than intensive insulin therapy for people who are overweight and have poorly controlled, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes.

And yet change is hard – at any age. Think about it: What resolutions have you made to improve your life that have fallen by the wayside? Eating better, getting exercise, losing weight…change is easier said than done, right?

So how might you help your parent make these behavioral shifts? If you’ve had some success helping your parent make changes, please share it here. For now, below are a few tips to help get folks started:

• Keep a record

It’s easier to find patterns – like that 3 p.m. craving for something sweet – when there’s a written record of everything consumed in the course of a day...  Read more