Questions for Residents of Senior Housing Options

General Guidelines

1. Remember to keep a journal/notebook with names/contact info of the folks you chat with. You might have follow-up questions or notice differences in the treatment of T1Ds vs. T2Ds.
2. Be friendly. Ask how they chose their new home and location. Inquire about the best features of the facility. What are any frustrating issues they’ve encountered?

Questions

• How involved were you in the management of your diabetes before you moved to your facility? Were you in charge or did you need help?
• Are there specific care aspects or rules at your facility that they insist on managing, even if you might still be capable of managing these items yourself?
• How much of your care is a cooperative effort between you, your doctor, and the caregiving staff vs. how much is managed entirely by the staff?
• Do you:
  • Still wear a pump (if you did before assisted living)?
  • Still wear a continuous glucose monitor (if you did before assisted living)?
  • Still administer your own mealtime boluses and adjustments?
  • Still change your devices when needed?
• About the food:
  • Are you being served “Diabetes friendly” meals?
  • Are carbs indicated for meals or do you need to count your own carbs and mealtime insulin?
  • Are you required to eat these meals, or can you choose the “regular” meals offered to others?
  • Do you like the food and the menu options?
• Who manages the ordering of your diabetes supplies?
• How involved is your family in decisions around your diabetes care? Do you need to rely on their support and involvement?
• Do you feel that the staff understands the difference between Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes?
• What are you most worried about relative to your Diabetes care?
• What is going well with your Diabetes care?
• How are low blood sugars handled, during daytime hours and overnight?

Last updated 08/20/2025.