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
Webinar: Conquering Fear and Embracing Life with Dr. Mark Heyman
Dr. Mark Heyman, PhD, CDCES, is a diabetes psychologist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist who has lived with T1D since 1999. He is the founder of the Center for Diabetes & Mental Health (CDMH) in San Diego, specializing in evidence-based mental health support and emotional challenges for people with diabetes. Mark’s practice and programs are focused on helping people with T1D address the emotional burden, burnout, and fear associated with the condition.
A Medicaid ‘Spend Down’ May Get an Older Person Long-Term Care Coverage But isn’t a DIY Strategy
Qualifying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage requires very low income and minimal assets: an unplanned long-term stay can drain a family’s resources within a couple of years. Eldercare experts recommend a strategy known as a Medicaid “spend down” — systematically and transparently using a person’s assets on appropriate expenses (like prepaying for a funeral, paying down a mortgage, or covering nursing home costs out of pocket) to reach Medicaid eligibility sooner.
A Negative Attitude Towards Aging is Making You Age Faster
A growing body of research shows that how we think about aging can directly impact how well we age. Studies have found that people who hold negative beliefs about getting older tend to experience faster physical, mental, and cognitive decline. In contrast, those with more positive attitudes toward aging are more likely to stay active, eat well, and maintain better overall health outcomes.