As any veteran diabetic knows, managing the disease goes beyond just measuring blood glucose and taking medication. Daily life, everything you eat and at what time of day, how often you exercise, your level of hydration, even your levels of stress affect your blood glucose levels.
Why should we care about diabetes management at all?
Uncontrolled diabetes can result in dangerous and life shortening complications.
Common complications for diabetic adults over 65 could mean kidney disease, vision loss, stroke and nerve damage, says the Hormone Health Network.
It pays to be proactive about the things you can control. The more you know about your condition and about yourself the more chances you have to improve your day-to-day life and to avoid preventable diabetes complications.
There is always new and emerging information to improve the understanding and treatment for diabetes in older adults.
Involve your loved ones
The Endocrine Society just published the new guidelines for treating diabetes in the older population emphasizing “shared decision-making.” This is where the patient makes healthcare decisions with input from providers, caregivers and family.
If you’re prediabetic, or you’ve been recently diagnosed and are overwhelmed by the changes ahead, there is hope. Interventions in older adults to delay progression from prediabetes to diabetes are especially effective.
One such intervention could be to participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trials provide an important benefit to patients as researcher develop new tests, procedures and medications to help detect and treat diabetes.
Clinical research centers are always in need of volunteers who are interested in testing cutting-edge investigative drugs and devices. You put yourself in the hands of caring experts whose job is to assess your medical condition and other personal circumstances, such as your living conditions or any other unique personal needs.
After an assessment, the researchers can help and teach you how to make reasonable decisions about your diabetes management. It is suggested and encouraged to have your family and loved ones in the trenches with you, whether to accompany you to the research site or to report any issues or concerns you may have. Your feedback, along with the clinical trial results, will help with emerging research to treat diabetes in older adults.
So how can you participate in a clinical trial?
Many people say participating in a clinical trial is a way to play a more active role in their own health care. Other people say they want to help researchers learn more about certain health problems. Whatever the motivation, when you choose to participate in a clinical trial, you become a partner in scientific discovery. And, your contribution can help future generations lead healthier lives. Major medical breakthroughs could not happen without the generosity of clinical trial participants—young and old, says National Institute on Aging.
AMCR Institute, a premier clinical research center for diabetes, explained the benefits of volunteering for clinical trials. Benefits include:
· A full physical exam at no cost
· Free laboratory work-ups
· No health insurance needed
· Potentially free glucose testing supplies and medication provided
· The possibility of a stipend for time and travel expenses
· Improved health outcomes because of the attention to your overall health
· Improved A1c levels from increased attention to blood sugar levels
· Free education for you and your family and loved ones
By taking an active role in your health care, you both help yourself and further research for other people in your situation. Contact AMCR Institute for more information on clinical trials.
