Type 1 diabetes means your body can’t make insulin, so you need to take insulin to stay healthy. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the cells for energy.

People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day to keep their blood sugar at a healthy level.

Common symptoms

  • Increased thirst and urination: Feeling much thirstier than usual and needing to urinate more frequently, including at night.
  • Fatigue and weakness: Feeling unusually tired and weak.
  • Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying, despite an increased appetite.
  • Blurred vision: Experiencing vision changes, as high blood sugar can cause the lens of the eye to change shape.
  • Slow-healing sores: Wounds, cuts, or bruises that take a long time to heal. 

Other potential signs:

  • Increased hunger: Feeling very hungry, even after eating.
  • Mood changes: Becoming more irritable.

What to do

  • It is crucial to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis if you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms.
  • The symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop quickly and can be a sign of a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis if left untreated. 

Challenges for older adults

Hypoglycemia:

  • Older adults are at a higher risk for severe hypoglycemia.
  • The body's ability to detect low blood sugar may be impaired with age.

Social and psychological challenges:

  • Issues like loneliness, loss of independence, or depression can negatively impact health and motivation.

     Other physical health challenges:

  • Age-related changes like impaired vision or dental problems can affect diet and self-management.

The picture is a donut-shaped graph divided into four colored slices. Each slice represents an age group of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The largest slice is adults aged 60 and over (33.4%), followed by ages 40–59 (29.8%) and 21–39 (25.7%). The smallest group is young people aged 0–20 (11.1%). The chart highlights that type 1 diabetes is common across all ages, not just in children.

Aging with type 1 diabetes

 

Aging is an important concern for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). With increasing life expectancy and a growing number of adult-onset diagnoses, including among those aged 65 and older, it has become essential to understand how to age well with this condition.

 

Fortunately, it is possible to age well with T1D. Maintaining blood glucose within target (4-10 mmol/L), avoiding tobacco, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, limiting alcohol, and engaging in reguĊ‚ar physical activity are proven strategies. Thanks to these approaches, the number of people aging with T1D without major complications continues to rise.