Here’s to Your Health: Diabetes

Senior Health Seminar at the Oak Park ArmsA representative from Interim Healthcare will present a free program about diabetes at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 8, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Avenue. The presentation is free and open to the public.

According to a study from researchers at the University of Chicago, if the current trend continues, the number of diabetes cases will nearly double in the next 25 years. Medicare spending on diabetes will skyrocket from $45 billion to $171 billion. If and when that happens, it’s a massive impact on senior care that will, in turn, have a bearing on an incalculable number of facilities, physicians, nurses, hospitals, etc.

The predicted surge is driven by aging Baby Boomers or those born between 1946 and 1964. Presently the oldest boomer is 70.

There are a few things that can prevent such appalling numbers. A 10-year trial called the Diabetes Prevention Program showed that overweight people with elevated blood sugar levels who lost a modest amount of weight, lowered their risk of developing diabetes by at least a third. People age 60 and over saw even more dramatic results, cutting their risk of diabetes during the study period by about half.

If everyone would take three easy steps, the surge in diabetes might be better controlled:

  • Lose weight
  • Eat right (low fat, lower calories) most of the time
  • Take a walk (or exercise) 30 minutes five days of the week.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 708-386-4040.