Guest posts – Page 9 – Diabetes Diet

What to do if your insulin isn’t working properly

Feb 5, 2018Jan 5, 2018 kaitiscotland3 Comments

Out of Insulin, Too Early to Renew — What To Do?
Disasters Averted Diabetes in Control August 30th, 2016

It is not unusual for people to have difficulty keeping insulin from freezing or getting overheated. A patient, with type 1 diabetes for 17 years, had glucose that did not respond to his rapid-acting insulin as it usually does.

He had two new vials in the refrigerator. He took a new vial out of his refrigerator earlier in the day, and started using it a few hours after he took it out. Had high post prandials that did not respond as usual to correcting. He had enough experience to wonder if perhaps something was wrong with his new insulin, so he thought he’d try another vial. He saw it was frozen. He had put the two vials at the back, where for many refrigerators it is colder. He thought back and wondered if the first vial looked any different, but remembered, he did not look closely at it.
He then went to get a new prescription filled at his pharmacy, but was told insurance would not cover it at this date; it was too early. It was cost prohibitive for him to pay out of pocket ~$300.00/vial. He contacted a diabetes health care provider (hcp) who offered him two sample vials to cover him until his prescription would once again be covered. He corrected and his glucose lowered. Disaster averted! (Thank heavens we don’t have this problem in the UK!)
Not everyone has the luxury of having a hcp who has samples available in such a timely manner. If their hcp even had them, what if it were a weekend, or another time that the hcp did not have access to the samples? I reached out to certified diabetes educator, Laurie Klipfel, RN, MSN, BC-ANP, CDE, to see if she could offer any pearls of wisdom.
“This was a recent discussion on an AADE list serve with many good suggestions. The best suggestion was asking the healthcare provider if samples were available. My next option would be to see if the insurance would make an exception under the circumstances (but this may take time).

Someone with type 1 needs their insulin and cannot wait a day or two. The next option is to see if a diabetes educator could contact a rep for samples (their prescribing healthcare provider would also need to be involved). My next option would be to see if there were coupons available online from websites like: http://www.rxpharmacycoupons.com, or other websites. As a last resort (but may be the fastest option in a pinch), if a patient was not able to afford the analog insulins such as Novolog, Humalog, or Apidra, I might suggest discussing with the healthcare provider if using regular insulin instead would be an option. Though the analogs match insulin need to insulin much better than regular insulin, taking regular insulin (especially when using a generic brand such as Walmart’s ReliOn brand) can be a much cheaper option and would be much better than not taking any meal dose insulin at all.

It would be beneficial to explain the differences in action times and suggest taking regular insulin 15-30 min. before the meal and beware of potential hypoglycemia 3-5 hours after injection due to longer action of regular. Of note, you do not need a prescription for regular, NPH or 70/30 insulin.
“I would also agree with suggestions made on the list serve for keeping the insulin in the door of the refrigerator and using a thermometer in the refrigerator. If the temperature in the refrigerator is not stable, it may be helpful to have the thermostat of the refrigerator checked.“

Lessons Learned:
Teach patients:
People who have diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, need to have and take insulin that is effective.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you are in danger of DKA. Know what it is, how to prevent, recognize, and get help for DKA.
A back-up plan for insulin gone bad or not available.
To double check insulin when taken out of the refrigerator for the “feel of the temperature” of the insulin. Do not use if hot, warm, or frozen.
To know what their insulin should look like, clear or cloudy. Avoid it if crystals, clumps or anything unusual is noted.
The onset, peak, and length of action of insulins they are taking, as well as replacements if needed.
If insulin is not available and can’t get insulin within hours, to visit the nearest ED or urgent care center.

Anonymous

Anna: How to figure out the problem with morning high blood sugars

Jan 30, 2018Nov 22, 2017 kaitiscotland4 Comments

MY SELF STUDY OF MORNING HIGHS →
HOW TO HANDLE MORNING HIGHS and DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST
Posted on June 18, 2015
by Anna
I have posted about this issue on June 6 but now I’ve found a website that not only provides a better explanation but offers the solutions as well. It’s Diabetes Forecast. Boy, am I glad I stumbled upon it.
You wake up to blood sugar spike, as if you were eating cookies all night. This is not uncommon in people with diabetes but there are ways to get those numbers down. There are two possible things that can cause that: dawn phenomenon and waning insulin. The third possibility is Somogyi effect but this one is controversial, Diabetes Forecast states.
Whatever the cause is, the source of the BG spike is your liver. The liver is where glucose is produced and stored, and then hormones signal the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream for energy. This usually happens between meals and overnight.
With diabetes however, there is a hormone imbalance because of either an impaired insulin production by pancreas or too much of the hormones that counteract insulin. Either way, chances are that a wrong signal is sent to the liver that prompts it to pump out more glucose than it should, hence we’re having a case of an overproductive liver.
DAWN PHENOMENON or dawn effect
It takes place when your liver releases glucose in between 3 to 6am, in people with typical sleep schedule. I found out that if I go to sleep at around 10 or 11pm, this happens to me at around 3am. This is supposed to be counteracted by insulin produced by the pancreas. People with diabetes however, might not have enough insulin or they’re having an insulin resistance so their blood sugar stays elevated and continues this way into the morning.
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T SKIP BREAKFAST
Eating breakfast helps to normalize blood glucose levels; it signals to the body that it is day and time to rein in the anti-insulin hormones. It’s very important not to skip breakfast.
Some folks believe that it’s the dinner in the night before to blame for the morning spike but it’s actually a dawn effect.
WANING INSULIN
This applies to those who are taking insulin as a medication. What happens is that an evening meal could lead to higher than normal blood glucose levels in the morning after. I think by ‘evening meal’ they mean a bedtime snack. The cause may be too little mealtime insulin, waning long-acting insulin from an evening injection, or not enough overnight basal insulin through a pump. So the blood glucose levels may creep as you sleep. With waning insulin, the rise in blood glucose is typically more gradual than with the dawn effect.
SOMOGYI EFFECT
Another name for this is “hypoglycemia rebound”. It was named after a researcher who first described it.
The theory is that if a person with diabetes experiences hypo overnight, the body produces anti-insulin hormones to counteract this and bring blood glucose levels back up, the body can overdo it which leads to a morning high. It is usually described as blood glucose level taking a dip (hypo) at around 3am, and then a morning high follows.
There is a split opinion as to the mere existence of this effect. Diabetes Forecast states that it’s controversial and unproven. However some other sites claim that it does exist and back it up with their personal experiences.
WHICH ONE IS IT?
This involves some ‘detective work’ as Diabetes Forecast puts it. I personally did this for a few days. I would check my glucose at bedtime which was around 10 or 11pm, then wake up at 3am, check blood sugar, back to sleep and checked it again in the morning. It’s important to sleep about 4 to 5 hours in between blood sugar checks. Comparing the changes in blood sugar levels will help you to figure out which effect takes place.

bedtime blood sugar 3am blood sugar morning blood sugar

normal normal high DAWN EFFECT

normal high high WANING INSULIN

normal low high REBOUND (Somogyi)
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO
You need to discuss your morning highs with your doctor and see if he / she advises to adjust your diabetes medication or physical activity. For those using insulin pumps, you can adjust your basal rates. I don’t use a pump so can’t elaborate further.
Diabetes Forecast further states that to overcome Somogyi Effect, you should either eat a bedtime snack with some carbs and protein in it. Also discuss your target blood glucose range with your doctor.
WHAT I DID
In my case it was none of the above but a DISORGANIZED LIFE that I will discuss in my next post. After having adjusted my testing times, my morning numbers were doing fine for a while. And then boom, a spike, 111 for absolutely no reason. I figured maybe my bedtime snack was a culprit, and switched to the one with protein & low carbs. I had half a cup each of ricotta cheese and cold milk that I love. Comes next morning, my number is 103. Yay.

Obituary: Gian Franco Bottazzo who discovered that type one diabetes was an auto-immune disease

Jan 27, 2018Jan 16, 2018 kaitiscotland3 Comments

Gian Franco Bottazzo was born in Venice in 1946. He died there on 15 September 2017.

After graduating at the University of Padua he moved to London in 1973 to study immunology with Deborah Doniach. A year later they published their paper in the Lancet proving that type one diabetes is associated with the development of antibodies to the insulin producing pancreatic beta cells. This paper stimulated a wave of research into the immunological basis of thyroid and pituitary diseases.

Bottazzo enjoyed speaking about his research, and gave his talk the title, ” Death of a beta cell: homicide or suicide?”

As a young man, Bottazzo, nearly missed out on his medical career as he was a promising football player and came close to signing for Venezia, which was in the Premier League at the time. Fortunately he completed his studies.

For many years Bottazzo held professorial appointments in London and published on the HLA antibodies. In 1998 he returned to Italy to work as scientific director to the Baby Jesus Hospital in Rome. He leaves a wife and daughter.

BMJ 9 December 2017

Jovina cooks: Spinach stuffed salmon

Jan 25, 2018Nov 22, 2017 kaitiscotland3 Comments

Stuffed Roasted Salmon Rolls
For 2 servings – this recipe is easily doubled.
Ingredients
12 oz center-cut boneless, skinless salmon fillet, cut lengthwise into 2 strips
4 cups fresh raw spinach leaves, stems removed, cooked and squeezed dry
1/4 cup cream cheese with onion and chives, if available, or regular cream cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a baking dish with olive oil.
Mix together the cream cheese, garlic and spinach until well blended then season with salt and pepper.
The mixture will be firm.

Season the salmon strips with salt and pepper and spread each fillet strip with the spinach filling.
Starting at one end, roll the salmon up tightly, tucking in any loose filling as you go.

Insert a toothpick through the end to keep the pinwheel from unrolling. Place the rolls in the prepared dish.

Repeat with the remaining salmon strip. Sprinkle the rolls with the lemon juice.
Bake the salmon rolls until just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

BMJ: Why don’t we encourage and register the diabetics who achieve remission?

Jan 20, 2018Nov 22, 2017 kaitiscotland3 Comments

Weighing up the benefits of registering those in remission from type two diabetes

Adapted from BMJ Louise McCombie et al 16 Sept 17

Type two diabetes now affects between 5 -10% of the UK population. This is 3.2 million people in the UK. 10% of the NHS budget is spent on treating diabetes and costs are between two and three times that of age matched individuals without diabetes. Life expectancy is six years less for people with type two diabetes.
Remission is attainable for some patients but is rarely achieved or recorded. (My comments: except in the low carbing community) The trend is for diabetes management to focus on reversible underlying disease mechanisms rather than treating symptoms and multisystem pathological consequences.
Lowering blood glucose remains the primary aim of management and drugs are the main method of doing this rather than diet and lifestyle advice. (My comment: because high carb/low fat dietary advice is counterproductive).
It has been found that weight loss of 15kg often produces biochemical remission of type two diabetes, restoring beta cell function. The accumulation of fat in the liver and pancreas impairs organ function to cause type two diabetes but is potentially reversible. If remission is achieved, the person no longer requires diabetes drugs.
The American Diabetes Association describe a partial remission as below the threshold for diabetes diagnosis. This is a hba1c of less than 6.5%/48 mmol/mol and a fasting blood sugar less than 6.9 without diabetes drugs. A full remission is described as the elimination of the criteria for impaired glucose tolerance. This means a hba1c less than 6%/42 and a fasting blood sugar under 5.6 again without the use of diabetes drugs.
A full remission will completely remove the cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes but partial remission removes a great deal of the risk and is still very much worthwhile.
We suggest that whether hba1c or fasting blood sugars are used to detect remission that these are repeated twice at two month intervals. Once in remission, a patient should be tested annually.
No study has yet been done that has reported the outcomes for diabetics in remission, but you would expect their outcomes to be much better than it otherwise would.
If a patient achieves remission, and if the Read code C10P is applied to them, they would still be scheduled for annual reviews and retinal screening programmes but would be considered non-diabetic for matters such as insurance, driving, and employment. But so far, in Scotland, only 0.1% of diabetics have been coded as being in remission.
Perhaps there are coding errors, but the possibility that type two diabetes can be reversed may not be fully understood by both doctors and patients. If patients achieve either a 10% body weight loss or 15kg, then 75-80% of them can expect to go into diabetes remission.
Physical and social environments, emotional states and self- regulatory skills are important factors affecting adherence to a weight management intervention.
It costs around £5,000 for the medical care of a person with type two diabetes but this almost doubles over the age of 65. The patient also has increasing holiday insurance costs. This is around double the usual rate for type twos and more for insulin users. Could knowledge of the advantages of weight loss act as an incentive for patients?

Better quality of life reported for young type one diabetics with lower HbA1c levels

Jan 15, 2018Nov 22, 2017 kaitiscotlandLeave a comment

Better quality of life reported for young type one diabetics with lower HbA1c levels

Summarised from Independent Diabetes Trust Newsletter Sept 17

An international study of almost 6,000 young people showed that lower HbA1c levels were associated with a higher quality of life scores between the study age range of 8 to 25 years.
Those who reported the lowest quality of life scores were aged 19 to 25 and females had lower scores than the males across every age range.
The study showed that advanced ways to measure food intake, more frequent blood sugar testing, and taking exercise for 30 minutes a day, were all associated with higher satisfaction scores.
The researchers concluded that if young people have trouble controlling their diabetes, they should focus on the three factors that they can potentially control to make life easier.
Measure your food accurately
Test your blood sugar frequently
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day

(Diabetes Care May 26 2017)

Jovina cooks: a magnificent Mexican feast

Jan 10, 2018Nov 22, 2017 kaitiscotland1 Comment

Planning a Mexican themed party is a great way to entertain. Much of the organization can be done in advance and guests can serve themselves. Offer options for toppings and sides that you think will appeal to your guests. If you know someone is vegetarian, then plan a vegetable filling along with fish and meat fillings. Don’t forget the margaritas and ice cream is great as a dessert for this type of meal. You can provide tacos and tortillas for friends and family who are not low carbers. Plan on 2-3 tacos or tortillas per person. The beans are also a high carb item so eat sparingly or not at all if you are low carbing. As you can see there are some great options for you in this selection.
For the lime-cilantro sour cream sauce
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 scallion, minced
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
Grated zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

For the Pico de Gallo
2 large plum tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1 jalapeno, chopped
1 small clove garlic, grated
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
For the shrimp marinade
2 teaspoons ground Ancho chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound large shrimp (about 24), shelled and deveined
For the swordfish marinade
1 teaspoon Ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon Chipotle chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 oz swordfish fillet
For the steak marinade
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Kosher salt to taste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoons Chipotle chili powder
Two 12-ounce, 1-inch thick, boneless Ribeye or New York strip steaks
For the tacos (optional)
12 6-inch corn tortillas or more depending on the number of guests

if not using tacos put these items out on the buffet table:
2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
Grated Cheddar cheese
4 limes, quartered
Directions
To make the lime-cilantro sour cream sauce:
Combine all the ingredients in a 2-cup serving bowl and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate, covered, up to 4 hours until ready to use.
To make the Pico de Gallo:
In a medium bowl, mix together tomatoes, scallions, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, oregano and lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature, covered, until serving time.
To prepare the shrimp:
In a small bowl, combine the Ancho powder, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper and stir to mix. Add the oil and whisk until a loose paste is formed. Add the shrimp and mix well to cover the shrimp in the spices. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
To prepare the swordfish:
In a small bowl, combine the chili powders, oregano, coriander and garlic. Stir in the oil to make a paste. Rub on all sides of the swordfish and set on a plate. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
To prepare the steak:
Combine all the ingredients for the steak rub in a small bowl and rub over the steaks. Place the steaks on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
To grill the shrimp, swordfish and steak:
Light a charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill on high. Oil the grill’s cooking surface. Let the coals burn down to a medium-hot fire or adjust the gas grill burners to medium.
Place the swordfish on a section of the grill and cook for about 10 minutes, turning the fish half way through the cooking time. Let rest on a plate.
Place the steaks on another section of the grill and cook for about 10 minutes, turning the steaks half way through the cooking time. Let rest on a plate.
Thread the shrimp on skewers. Grill over direct heat, turning once, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the skewers and transfer to a serving platter.
Cut the swordfish and steak into thin slices. Transfer to the serving platter with the shrimp.
Divide the tortillas into 2 stacks and wrap each in aluminum foil. Place on the grill until heated through, about 5 minutes.
To assemble the tacos:
In each tortilla place 3 grilled shrimp or swordfish slices or steak slices, a tablespoon of the sour cream sauce, a tablespoon of the Pico de Gallo and some of the cabbage and cheese. Squeeze a wedge of lime over the filling and fold the tortilla.
Guacamole Salad
Ingredients
1/2 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
Salt and pepper
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 small garlic clove, minced
½ tablespoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 jalapeno chilies, seeded and finely minced
1 ripe avocados, pitted, skinned, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
Lettuce leaves
Directions
Mix together the tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Transfer to paper towel-lined baking sheet and let drain 15 minutes.
Combine the scallions, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Let sit 5 minutes, then slowly whisk in oil.
Add the jalapeno chilies, avocados, cilantro and drained tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in lettuce cups.

Beans On The Side (optional as also high in carbs)
The beans taste better if made the day before serving.
Ingredients
To cook the beans:
1 ½ cups orca beans (white and black colorings), washed
1 onion, quartered
3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
To finish the bean dish:
½ cup finely diced onion
½ cup finely diced celery
½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon chili powder
Directions
Place the beans in a medium-sized saucepan and cover with cold water by two inches high. Cover and soak overnight.
The next day, add the onion, garlic and salt to the soaking liquid and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 1 ½ hours until tender.
Chill the beans overnight in the refrigerator in their cooking liquid.
The next day, drain the beans. Stir in the cilantro and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic and chili powder. Saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the beans and heat. Serve as a side dish.

Hilda’s fit to serve: Lemon curd cheesecake

Dec 29, 2017Nov 13, 2017 kaitiscotlandLeave a comment

Hilda has done it again! She can produce a low carb version of nearly anything. You can also used the lemon curd as the filling in a low carb sponge cake or put different fruity toppings on the cheesecake. The cheesecake itself is not a baked one.

Low Carb Coconut Crust

1 ½ cups of sugar-free coconut flakes
¼ of almond flour or 2 tablespoons of coconut flour for nut free version
½ cup of melted butter
Low Carb Lemon Curd Filling
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup of sugar substitute I used Swerve
¾ cup of lemon juice about 3 large lemons
7 egg yolks
1 tablespoons of lemon zest
¼ tsp of sea salt
Low Carb Cheesecake Filling
1 package of cream cheese
½ cup sugar substitute
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin I used Great Lakes unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoon of cold water
Low Carb Lemon Curd Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan on low heat.
2. Once the better is melted, remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the sugar-substitute, lemon juice and lemon zest. Keep mixing until well combined.
3. Return the saucepan to stove and whisk in the eggs yolk one at and cook on low heat until the curd starts to thicken.
4. Remove the lemon curd off the stove and strain into a small bowl.
5. Allow to cool at room temperature and then store in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes to an hour.
6. Spread the low carb lemon curd evenly to the coconut crust.
7. Pour the sour-cream topping to the pie and allow to set for at least 30 minutes before slicing and enjoying.
Low Carb Coconut Crust Instructions
1. Combine all the ingredients until well mixed. Press the coconut mixture into a 9-inch pie crust pan.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
3. Once the pie crust is cooked and while it is still warm, press the crust with the back of a metal spoon. I find that pressing the crust soon after it’s been cooked allows for a crispier crust.
Low Carb Cheesecake Filling
1. Mix the gelatin with the cold water and set aside.
2. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar substitute.
3. Fold in the prepared gelatin into the cheesecake batter.
Pie Assembly Instructions
1. Once the pie crust is fully cooked and cooled add cheesecake filling.
2. Next spread the lemon curd topping to the cheesecake.
3. Allow for pie to fully set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before consuming.
4. Store pie in the refrigerator.

Hilda’s fit to serve: Berry Pie

Dec 23, 2017Nov 22, 2017 kaitiscotland1 Comment

Still looking for a low-carb dessert for your Christmas? Try this one…

Low Carb Nut-Free Crust
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks of butter melted and cooled)
4 large eggs
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 ½ cups coconut flour
¼ baking powder
1 tablespoon of water
Crust Instructions
1. Mix all the ingredients of the low carb crust just until dough forms.
2. Divide dough in half to make the top and bottom of the pie crust.
3. Roll out with between two sheets of parchment paper. Set aside.
4. Transfer one crust into a 9-inch pie pan. Being careful to smooth out any cracks.
5. Once you add the filling to the pie and the top crust.
Filling Ingredients
1 ½ cups of berries (I used mulberries)
2 tablespoons of sugar substitute (I used Swerve)
1 8 ounce package of room temperature neufchâtel cream cheese or regular cream cheese

Many people miss such items as apple pie after going low carb. Hilda shows you here what she does with the mulberries from her mum’s tree in the garden. In Scotland you can use brambles in the autumn that you can pick for nothing. Now you know the secret of the pie crust you can experiment. I wouldn’t use mincemeat as in our Christmas pies though as that is too sugary for a low carb diet.

Pie Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350
1. Place half the rolled low carb dough into a 9-inch pie pan.
2. Spread the cream cheese to the bottom of the crust.
3. Add the berries that have been mixed with the 2 tablespoons of sugar substitute over the cream cheese layer.
4. Top the pie with the other half of the rolled-out dough. Make sure to add vents to the top of the crust.
5. Bake for 25 minutes until the topping is lightly brown.
6. Allow to cool before slicing.
7. Store in the refrigerator.

BMJ: Regular, physical exercise is the miracle cure to ageing

Dec 18, 2017Dec 21, 2017 kaitiscotland4 Comments

Adapted from Scarlett McNally’s article in the BMJ 21 Oct 17

The NHS and social care are inextricably intertwined. The rising number of older people is frequently blamed. The rising social care costs in this age group can be modified however. NICE in 2015 said, “disability, dementia and frailty can be prevented or delayed”.
The need for relatives or paid carers arises when someone can no longer perform the activities of daily living such as washing, dressing and feeding themselves. For some people the ability to get to the toilet in time is the critical thing between having carers come to their own home twice a day and being admitted to a full time care facility.
The cost of care rises five times for those admitted to residential facilities. An average residential placement costs £32,600 a year and may be needed for months, years or decades.
A cultural change is needed so that people of all ages aspire to physical fitness as a way of maintaining independence into old age. There just doesn’t seem to be the local or national infrastructure to support this however.
Ageing is a normal, if unwelcome, biological process that leads to a decline in vision, hearing, skin elasticity, immune function and resilience, which is the ability to bounce back.
The decline in fitness with age starts around the age of 30 and accelerates after the age of 45. Things move downhill even faster if someone has a sedentary job that involves car driving and computer work. Diabetes, dementia, heart disease and some cancers become more common.
Some may think that fitness in old age is down to genes and luck but social strata differences exist with good nutrition and exercise as major factors in enhancing health and fitness into old age.
Apart from getting older, environment and lifestyle affect disease onset. At the age of 40, some forty percent of people have at least one long term condition and the rate goes up by ten percent each decade. As environmental and behavioural factors stack up over time, more people develop an increasing number of diagnoses. Yet, small habits such as cycling to work, can mitigate the effects of a sedentary job.
As time goes on, a person’s independence can be compromised by well -meaning carers and relatives doing more for their charges rather than letting them do things for themselves.
Genetics are thought to play only 20% of the part in the development of modern diseases. Lack of fitness has more of a part to play than disease and multiple morbidity.
Pain can lead people to limit their activity because they think it could make their illness worse, but strength, stamina, suppleness and balance training are usually needed more rather than less as you get older and accumulate illnesses.
These factors improve cognitive ability in midlife through to a person’s 80s. They can reduce the onset of dementia. Increasing independence results.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges go as far as describing exercise as “the miracle cure”. Improving the time to stand from sitting down, walking, and resistance training exercise all produce a dose response effect with the most frail benefitting the most. Any exercise or activity such as gardening that gets you slightly breathless and is done in ten minute bursts or longer counts as the 150 minutes minimum as recommended in the UK.
Stopping smoking and limiting alcohol are also worthwhile interventions. Gyms, walking groups, gardening, cooking clubs and volunteering have all been shown to improve the health and well- being of people of all ages with long term conditions.
When people are admitted to hospital they often experience a rapid decline in function. Patients are not allowed to move about or go to the toilet themselves in case they fall. The numbers of these are considered adverse incidents and are strongly discouraged. Thus the ambulant end up chair or bedbound. Most inpatients spend 80% of the time in bed and more than 60% come out with reduced mobility.
All patients should be encouraged to start an activity programme and gradually increase the frequency, intensity, and time that they do it.
The outdoor environment can be improved by even pavements, open spaces, tables and seating in public areas, safe cycle lanes and restriction in car use.
Money may need to be shifted from passive care and polypharmacy to activity and rehabilitation services.
People need to concentrate on being active every day. A quarter of women and a fifth of men do no activity whatsoever in a week never mind the minimum recommended 150 minutes a week.
In the UK the total social care bill is over £ 100 billion which is virtually the same as spent in the NHS.
The cost of care doubles between the ages of 65 and 75 and triples between 65 and 85. If everyone was just a bit fitter, the savings would add up.
Individuals need to see it as their responsibility to stay fit or improve their fitness. There needs to be more national coordination regarding the environment, transport and our working schedules so that we can all stay that bit functionally younger into old age. We could be making the difference between staying at home or depending on social and residential care.