Diabetes care and education specialists, even those without training in physical therapy, can help a person with diabetes and physical limitations increase activity and improve physical function, according to a speaker.
“This is as important as what we do in areas such as healthy eating, monitoring or taking medications,” Karen Kemmis, PT, RN, DPT, MS, GCS, CDCES, FADCES, education team leader at the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at SUNY Upstate Medical University, told Healio. “Helping a person to function better in everyday activities and to be able to exercise can positively impact their life.”
People with diabetes and other chronic cardiometabolic conditions, including obesity, may have trouble rising from a chair, climbing stairs, squatting, kneeling and reaching, which can limit their ability to bathe and dress themselves, do housework and participate in recreational pursuits and exercise, among other activities.
Four key conditions often lead to physical limitations, according to Kemmis.
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