Not all older people have the same care needs, which means that not everyone needs the same type of care at home. Since blood sugar levels are important to overall well-being, it's a good idea to understand more about them. The medications you take to help control your blood sugar may interact negatively with other medications or supplements you're taking. Read on to learn what “normal” is, and then check out some blood sugar level charts to learn more about the typical target range of blood glucose levels based on your age.
Type 1 diabetics cannot produce insulin, so they must administer it or take pills regularly to stabilize their blood sugar levels. It can help diagnose diabetes or prediabetes (where sugar levels are high but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes). Because blood sugar levels rise with age, normal blood glucose levels are different for older people than for younger adults or teens. The following table outlines what blood sugar levels should be for older adults (age 50 and older) in the hours after a meal, as well as when the levels are too high or too low.
Your doctor may suggest that you start taking just one medication and then add more options over time if you can't control your blood sugar level. To help your older loved one manage their high blood sugar levels properly, you'll need to ask several health professionals for their opinion. Blood tests can measure glucose levels on an empty stomach (fasting values) or after eating (postprandial values). Maintaining normal blood sugar levels can help reduce the chances of developing these other health problems.
However, “normal blood sugar levels will vary among older people, and other risk factors, such as diabetes, may change their needs. That's because diabetes-related complications and diabetes medications can affect your blood sugar goals. A blood sugar level that is too low is called hypoglycemia, while having high blood sugar levels is called hyperglycemia.
