It’s SO Important to Stay Connected!
Any way you look at it, the research is pretty straightforward.
According to the article “The One Quality Most Super-Agers Share” by Dana G. Smith, published in The New York Times on August 7, 2025, Super-Agers are a diverse bunch. They don’t share a magic diet, exercise regimen, or medication.
But the one thing that does unite them is “how they view the importance of social relationships,” said Sandra Weintraub, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, who has been involved in the research since the start. “And personality-wise, they tend to be on the extroverted side.”
This doesn’t surprise Ben Rein, a neuroscientist and the author of the forthcoming book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection. “People who socialize more are more resistant to cognitive decline as they get older,” Dr. Rein said. And, he added, they “have generally larger brains.”
Researchers believe that this may be because socializing can help protect against declines in brain volume that occur with age and isolation. Loneliness, which is particularly common in older adults, can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and if cortisol is elevated for long periods of time, it can lead to chronic inflammation. That, in turn, could damage brain cells and even increase the risk for dementia.
The One Quality Most ‘Super-Agers’ Share (requires a subscription to NYTimes.com)
Here are some ways you can increase your connections within the Type 1 diabetes community.
T1Dto100.com has created some “cheat sheets” to help you start your own Adult T1D Support Group with guidelines for how to best moderate/manage a group.
- How to Start an Adult T1D Support Group
- Guidelines for Moderating an Adult T1D Support Group
- How to Find A Diabuddy
Below are some resources for opportunities to connect with other adult T1Ds:
DiabetesSisters is a non-profit patient advocacy organization that offers support for women living with diabetes through virtual support group meetups, webinars, workshops, and a wealth of resources. Membership is free.
Grownup T1Ds is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of older adults with Type 1 Diabetes. They host in-person social meet-ups and events “where we can be with others who truly understand us.” Meetups are free, although you will need to pay for your food and beverages. Some events may include a minimum cost.
Breakthrough T1D hosts “T1D Adults Walk & Talk” events, offering casual, gentle 1-2 hour walks for adults living with T1D in local parks and scenic paths. These events provide a fun way for adult T1Ds to connect with others, exchange ideas, and socialize. Visit the Breakthrough T1D website to find local and upcoming events, and search specifically for the Walk & Talk series. Alternatively, you can call your local chapter.
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