November is American Diabetes Month, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes affects nearly 30 million Americans, so the ADA hopes American Diabetes Month will raise awareness for diabetes treatment and prevention. If you’re an at-home senior care provider, and you think your client is at risk for developing Type-2 diabetes, here’s how you can help them avoid it:

Diet
One of the most important parts of preventing diabetes is changing your diet and avoiding excess weight. In general people with diabetes or pre-diabetes should try to avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, sodium and sugar. Try making your client meals with lots of leafy vegetables, lean protein like poultry and fish and whole wheat grains. Your client should also eat plenty of fiber, which helps to control blood sugar levels.

Exercise
Excess weight is the No. 1 cause of people getting Type-2 diabetes, so it’s important to try to stay fit and active. This doesn’t mean your client has to push themselves too hard – simply taking a walk once a day can help keep them healthy.

Stop smoking
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, smokers are twice as likely to have Type-2 diabetes as nonsmokers. If your client smokes, talk to them about quitting as quickly as possible.