Getting older with diabetes

Many of the issues people encounter as a result of having diabetes may be a little more difficult to overcome as they get older. It’s common for people to worry about how they, and their family or support network, will cope. People are often anxious that they’ll become a burden to their loved ones.

Take a look at some of the issues people with diabetes may be concerned about as they get older:

eyesight may deteriorate and it may be more difficult to read glucose meter or a insulin pen
mobility may deteriorate making it harder to get to the GP, pick up prescriptions or visit a diabetes team
memory may become a problem and, as a result, remembering whether or when insulin was taken
appetite may be affected, so calculating carbohydrate values may need some consideration

weight loss can lead to a change in insulin sensitivity, so the insulin doses may need to be reduced
other medical problems may creep up, which can interfere with diabetes control
family and friends may become increasingly concerned about how people with diabetes are managing at home
the symptoms of hypoglycaemia may change and become less obvious, putting someone at increased risk of severe hypoglycaemia
additional medication, such as steroids, may be required for other conditions, which may upset diabetes

joint problems in the hands may make it more difficult to use pen devices and pumps
complications associated with long-standing diabetes may occur, such as kidney disease, eye disease or foot disease
more frequent hospital visits may be necessary, either as an outpatient or an inpatient
people may lose family members and carers as they get older, so they also lose their social and emotional support
people who have had diabetes for many, many years may run out of new injection sites as everywhere is a bit lumpy or scarred

Go to ‘Getting older with diabetes’ to return to the main topic page, or choose another section.

getting
older

Coping with diabetes as you get older

relaxing
targets

Dementia and
diabetes

Asking
for help

Carers and
care homes

End of
life care