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 – Hearts Afire: Surviving the 2025 Altadena Wildfire
She saw it coming closer on social media and the TV News, she heard the howling winds, but she couldn’t imagine that it could reach all the way to her house. So many previous fires had stayed in the foothills and not ventured into the neighborhoods of Altadena, CA. But as a T1D of 61 years, Dorothy Noe smelled, and then saw, the approaching danger. Over a period of hours on January 7 and 8, 2025, she and her husband had to take action. When she evacuated her house that dark, early morning, she never imagined that she’d never return.
Webinar: Senior Planet From AARP Presents Wellness Wednesday: Emergency Readiness for Diabetes and Beyond
A wellness lunch series from AARP highlighting seniors with diabetes.
What happens to your health management when the power goes out, an earthquake hits, or your luggage goes missing? For anyone living with a medical condition, preparation is a survival strategy. Watch to learn how to build a reliable emergency plan.
Webinar: Proactive Care Planning: Having a Strong Voice in the Future of Your Care — with Wendy Norman, Dr. George Birchfield, and Hilary Walker
Join Dr. George Birchfield and advance care planning specialist Hilary Walker of Known Wishes to learn how planning ahead lets you stay in charge of all your care — including your diabetes — during an emergency, a hospital stay, or at end of life. You’ll walk away with practical tools to make sure your wishes are known, documented, and honored.