Kidney disease and diabetes together impact a huge number of seniors. Some experts say that as much as 33% of the senior population could have diabetes. Studies show that nearly 70% of seniors over the age of 75 experience some level of kidney disease. The food that seniors eat has a direct impact on the management of both kidney disease and diabetes. Diabetes that is untreated or not managed well can also contribute to kidney disease. So seniors who have kidney disease or diabetes need to watch their diets very carefully.

In-home care is excellent for seniors with both kidney disease and diabetes because seniors are more likely to have proper meals instead of just eating microwave meals or take out meals. Seniors often say that they don’t want to cook a meal just for themselves, but when seniors have in-home care the care provider can make cooking healthy meals fun. When seniors are planning meals and making shopping lists, if they have kidney disease or diabetes, they should not be buying or eating these foods:

Avocados

This might come as a surprise, but avocados are often recommended to seniors because they are a healthy source of fat and extra calories. However, avocados have a huge amount of potassium in them. Potassium is something that people with kidney disease need to avoid because too much potassium can damage the kidneys even further. The average avocado has a shocking 650 mg of potassium, which is well above the recommended daily amount of potassium for anyone with kidney disease.

Canned Foods

Canned foods are a very convenient way for seniors to get the fruits and vegetables they need because they are shelf stable and can last for a long time. Unfortunately, seniors with kidney disease need to pass on the canned food. The reason why canned food lasts so long and is shelf-stable is that it’s loaded with sodium. Sodium, or salt, is extremely hard on the kidneys and seniors with kidney disease need to be very careful about how much salt they consume.

Bananas

Just like with avocados, seniors might think that eating bananas is actually healthy. Seniors who have kidney failure should avoid bananas because they have a lot of potassium. An average banana has more than 400 mgs of potassium and that can be very damaging to the kidneys. Bananas also are high in carbs, which is something that seniors with diabetes need to avoid. Seniors should eat other fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins and nutrients that are in bananas.

Whole Wheat Bread

Seniors who have diabetes should avoid bread or low carb bread. Seniors with kidney disease should avoid brown bread because it has a high concentration of phosphorus, which can cause kidney damage. White bread is better for seniors with kidney disease.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home care in San Diego, CA please contact the caring staff at A Passion for Care today. Call (858) 798-5005

A Passion for Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Encinitas, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, Point Loma, and surrounding areas.

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Pat Melzer

Owner at A Passion for Care

Like many people in the senior care business, founder Pat Melzer was motivated by personal experience to start an in-home senior service business in 2010. After watching chronic conditions, dementia, and surgeries take over the life of her once very intelligent and lively mother-in-law, Pat saw the enormity of the need for better in-home care. Drawing on her 23 years of experience in the computer industry as a software product manager, engineering manager and computer programmer, she decided to develop best practices to build an organization that provides truly excellent, personalized care. Throughout the company’s history, Pat has been personally and professionally committed to ensuring your loved one receives the quality care they deserve. With often heroic efforts by the staff and dedicated caregivers, the vision has become a reality to be very proud of.

Making the transition to a completely new industry brought the opportunity to learn and grow, which continues still today. Pat studied Gerontology in San Diego State University’s certificate program and became licensed as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), a Home Health Aide (HHA), and completed the California Certification Program for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCCFE) as a Certified Administrator. She presented workshops at Aging in America Conference four years in a row and served as Chair of the San Diego Regional Home Care Council 2019-2020 and was the education board member for several years. More recently, Pat became a Certified Senior Advisor and was a San Diego Business Journal “50 over 50 2022 Women of Influence Honoree”.

Pat and her husband Roland have lived outside San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley for over three decades. She has two children who are grown professionals and three grandchildren. Pat enjoys traveling to, and visits from, family and friends throughout the year. While at home in San Pasqual Valley, she and Roland enjoy peaceful views and exploring the surrounding valleys.

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