Type 1 Diabetes and the Impact of Aging

This UK-wide project, led by Breakthrough T1D, was carried out between 2022 and 2024 to understand what growing older with Type 1 diabetes is really like. The research used surveys, interviews, and focus groups involving adults with long-standing T1D, family members, and clinicians. The goal was to capture real lived experiences and identify the challenges and priorities of older adults with T1D as they age. Major areas of focus included:

1. Fear of Hypoglycemia
   Many older adults described rising anxiety about severe lows, especially when living alone or noticing changes in awareness or confidence. This often led to intentionally running higher glucose levels for safety.
2. Technology: Benefits and Barriers
   CGMs and pumps were widely valued but not universally accessible or easy to use. Visual, cognitive, or dexterity changes sometimes made device use frustrating, and NHS access varied significantly.
3. Gaps in NHS Support
   Participants felt that services often overlook the needs of older adults with T1D. Short appointments, limited continuity, and a focus on Type 2 diabetes left many feeling unsupported or misunderstood.
4. Age-Related Physical and Cognitive Changes
   Vision issues, arthritis, slower thinking, or memory concerns made daily diabetes tasks harder. Many worried about future cognitive decline affecting their ability to self-manage safely.
5. Changing Independence and Caregiver Roles
   After decades of self-management, needing help was emotionally difficult. Some relied on partners or adult children, while others lacked support and felt unprepared for increasing dependence.
6. Emotional and Mental Health Impact
   People described the emotional burden of managing T1D for a lifetime—fatigue, worry, loneliness, and stress. Formal mental-health support was often limited or absent.
7. Planning for the Future
   Participants wanted clearer guidance on safe diabetes care in later life, including housing, care-home management, emergency planning, and end-of-life glucose targets.

Last updated 12/23/2025.