Type 2 Diabetes Research Paper

Hewan Zerihun

NR 222

Professor Emily Namesny

Chamberlin school of nursing

11/29/15

Health Promotion In Older Adults With type two diabetes

Health Promotion In older Adults With Type Two Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is more common in older adults ages 65 and older. In type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin properly. When insulin is not used properly by the body it leads to insulin resistance. Glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells as a result cells will starve for energy. If left untreated diabetes affects many organs of the body including the eyes, the kidneys, nerves and the heart. The risk for type two diabetes increases with age. That is believed to be because

Sue Kirkman discussed the epidemiology, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in older adults. According to this article the incidence of diabetes increases with age until about age 65 years. "Older adults are at high risk for both diabetes and prediabetes(Kirkman 2012)". Kirkman pointed out benefits of identification of prediabetes and asymptomatic type 2 diabetes in older adults. This would determine whether primary or secondary preventive interventions would likely be effective in treating condition. Kirkman mentioned type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle interventions or by various classes of medications. In one study mentioned in this article more than 20 % of participants ages 60 and older seemed to have more efficacy from lifestyle intervention than younger participants, but did not appear to benefit from medication. Follow up in 10 years showed the same outcome with ongoing greater impact of the original lifestyle intervention in older participants. This article also discussed the fact that diabetes increases the chance of having other health complications in older adults. That includes cardiovascular disorders, microvasular disease, cognitive dysfunction and functional impairments. The importance of daily physical activities, medically nutritional therapy, self management and medication therapies for treatment of diabetes were also discussed. According to this article teachings and

Gates and Kevin M. Walker talked about the effects of physiological changes on treatment of diabetes in older adults. Decreased renal function and increased sensitivity to medication were discussed as challenges in medication therapy. Therefore the authors suggested medication dosages be adjusted based on individual health patterns and not just based on age alone. The article pointed out the importance of less aggressive, low coast and more individualized goal setting treatment plans towards older adults with diabetes.

Health promotion