Hi, new to this!

[mpellow]

My Dad has just been diagnosed with Type 2 at the grand old age of 89, not sure where to start!!

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Steff]

Hi MP sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. How is his health otherwise ? It's good that you have found this forum on behalf of him shows your concern . Has he been put on any medication

 

[Northerner]

My Dad has just been diagnosed with Type 2 at the grand old age of 89, not sure where to start!!

Hi mpellow, welcome to the forum 🙂 Goodness, that's quite an age to get diagnosed - how did the diagnosis come about? Has he been given any medication? How is is health otherwise? Please let us know if you have any questions and we'll try our best to help. You might like to read Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and possibly also get a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker in order to get a better understanding of Type 2 diabetes and how it can be managed well 🙂

Essentially, it is all about carbohydrates - bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, plus, of course, things containing flour and sugar. You don't need to give up these things - I imagine he has pretty firm favourites in his usual diet - but just need to bear in mind that they will cause blood sugar levels to rise, some things more than others, so moderation is the key and try to make healthier choices when possible. You might like to look into the GL (Glycaemic Load) diet, as this provides an approach to selecting and combining foods so that they have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels, which is what you are looking for. The GL Diet for Dummies is a very good introduction 🙂 The complications caused by diabetes generally take many years to develop, so the tighter restrictions that might apply to a much younger person may not apply in his case - what advice has his doctor given?

 

[mpellow]

Hi Steff, he has quite a lot of health issues already but has a really good support network via our community matron. He has been put on Metformin 1 a day for the first week then increase to 2 a day next week. She is visiting Monday and adding blood tests to his Teleheath system (currently checks on daily weight, twice-weekly BP and daily heart questions), I have ordered some leaflets for him too. He takes it all in his stride bless him.

 

[Steff]

Hi That's brillaint he has such a support network as with many conditions diabetes can be very isolating and can make you feel down. He sounds like a recileint chap and im sure he will see this as a further challenge to tackle. Have a good peruse about there's plenty of help and good advice on this forum x

 

[mpellow]

Thanks to all, good to know I have a support network here, early days for us, awaiting advice from GP etc, will shout when have questions

 

[trophywench]

Well that's restored my faith in the fact - which has been overshadowed and often overlooked by recent decades of younger diagnoses of T2 - that T2 diabetes can 'just' be a thing that happens to some people as a result simply, of ripe old age.

My MIL got it when she was well into her 70s - and already suffering poor woman with terminal bowel cancer. The diabetes always behaved itself beautifully on simply Metformin and closely watching her carbs - she knew exactly what she could and couldn't manage - cos she tested her blood regularly and cut out what she couldn't manage. Rather ironically - she knew how to proceed from working as a care assistant in an old folks' home in her 40s and 50s !

Very good luck to you and your Dad !