How Are You Coping?
Coping, Resilience, Humor, Social Connection, and Finding Joy: Surviving and Thriving with Type 1 Diabetes as We Age
Living with Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong journey, and as we age, the challenges can shift and the burden can become heavier.
But the strengths we bring to the table, in addition to many tools we can access, will help us stay grounded and hopeful. We have coping strategies we lean on, the resilience we’ve built over time, the power of laughter, the value of staying socially connected, and the practice of gratitude and joy.
Whether you’re navigating new health concerns, facing changes in support systems, or simply trying to keep your spirits up, you are not alone. Through the articles shared here, let’s explore how humor, community, and a resilient mindset can make all the difference in living well with T1D and helping others, as we grow older.
Additional Resources
Diabuddies
What are Diabuddies and how to find one.
How to Start/Moderate A T1D Adult Support Group
For folks looking for more connection local to their communities.
Supporting T1Ds
How to support someone you love who lives with Type 1 Diabetes while minimizing the pressure of being a caretaker.
No Stress Art Habits
How to start a super consistent, no stress art habit.
What About Robots?
Exploring the use of robots to guide loving-kindness and walking meditation practices.
Japanese Robots
These adorable Japanese robots are being used for elder care.
Seniors and Artificial Intelligence
Classes across the country help seniors interact with a world altered by AI.
Humor Benefits
Why older adults benefit from regular doses of humor.
Loneliness and Texting
The importance of texting your friends. It matters more than you think.
Journaling
Psychologist urges seniors to use this journal daily for mental health.
Learning Music
Learning music could reverse brain aging (even if you’re already old), say scientists.
Last updated 08/08/2025.
Recent Stories
Interview – Resilience and Aging with Type 1 Diabetes: A Conversation with Scott Johnson
Scott K. Johnson is a prominent Type 1 diabetes (T1D) advocate, blogger, and speaker diagnosed in 1980 at age five. Known for early work in the online diabetes community and his blog, scottsdiabetes.com, he focuses on the emotional and technology-driven aspects of diabetes management. He has worked extensively with mySugr and now with Blue Circle Health, aiming to empower patients and improve diabetes care. I sat down with Scott recently to talk about staying resilient when faced with the challenges of aging and of T1D in general.
Research Study – A Successful Diabetes Management Model of Care in Long-Term Care Facilities
This study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA) in 2021, describes a practical diabetes care program developed and tested in six long-term care facilities. Rather than focusing only on blood sugar targets, the program trained nurses and other staff to recognize diabetes problems early, screen every new resident for their risk of high or low blood glucose, and follow standardized care protocols while tailoring treatment to each resident’s individual needs.
Webinar – Let’s Talk T1D & Mental Health with Jenna Eisenberg
In this first session, Jenna will introduce how mental health and diabetes affect each other, share a few practical tools you can use right away, and open it up for Q&A. This is just the beginning. Future calls will go deeper into burnout, distress, body image, family support, and more.