How Seniors Can Prevent and Manage Diabetes: 5 Practical Tips

World Diabetes Day* is on November 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best at the University of Toronto in 1921.* A century later, older adults living with type 2 diabetes need to be proactive in managing the increased risks to their health.

Older adults are especially susceptible to risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, such as unhealthy eating and less physical activity*, says Diabetes Canada. The symptoms of patients with diabetes are highly variable, they can be asymptomatic for a long time. Hence the importance of annual screenings and why severe symptoms such as blurred vision, weight loss, thirst, hunger, and increased urinary frequency should be immediately reported to your doctor.*

With the right knowledge, tools, and support, older adults can successfully prevent or manage diabetes. Here are five practical tips to promote long-term wellness and healthy aging:

  1. 1. Stand more, sit less 

    Standing longer each day is associated with better insulin sensitivity,* reported a 2021 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport study. Regular standing breaks to reduce sitting time can help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially for less active people.

  2. 2. Prevent or reverse diabetes  

    Older adults at high risk for diabetes who exercised 150 minutes a week and ate less fat and fewer calories cut their type 2 diabetes risk by 71%,* reported a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases study. A Lancet study found type 2 diabetes could potentially be reversed through medically supported weight loss.* Nearly 90% of people who lost 15 kilograms put their type 2 diabetes into remission. Nearly 90% of people who lost 15 kilograms put their type 2 diabetes into remission.

  3. 3. Set age-appropriate blood sugar control goals 

    Diabetes is a condition where both high and low blood sugar levels can be harmful to the body. New diabetes guidelines advise that for older adults—and especially those at high risk for hypoglycemia—blood sugar targets (often measured as a specific hemoglobin A1c level) should not be as tightly controlled or low as for younger adults*, according to Harvard Medical School. This can help to reduce the risks of low blood sugars, leading to weakness, dizziness and falls.*

  4. 4. Use an app to help control blood sugar

    Smart phone apps such as Sugar Sense, Diabetes Connect, Fooducate and Glucose Buddy can help you track blood sugar levels, carbs, weight, and blood pressure to better monitor and manage diabetes.*

  5. 5. Consider flash glucose monitoring

    Flash glucose monitoring is a method of blood sugar testing that measures, displays, and continuously stores glucose readings that are recorded automatically.* This gives people with diabetes a more complete picture of their glucose control, which can give an early warning of potential hypoglycemia and potentially lead to better treatment decisions and health outcomes.*


*The following sources provide references for this blog, in order of appearance:

  1. International Diabetes Federation. “World Diabetes Day.” (2021), online: https://worlddiabetesday.org/
  2. University of Massachusetts. “Banting & Best: Discovery of insulin.” (2021), online: https://umassmed.edu/dcoe/diabetes-education/patient-resources/banting-and-best-discover-insulin/
  3. Science Daily. “Researchers observed association between standing and insulin sensitivity – standing more may help prevent chronic diseases.” (2021), online: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210910121620.htm
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).” (2021), online: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program-dpp
  5. CTV News. “Type 2 diabetes may be reversible with weight loss, study find.” (2017), online: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/type-2-diabetes-may-be-reversible-with-weight-loss-study-finds-1.3710960
  6. Harvard Medical School. “Is tight blood sugar control right for older adults with diabetes?” (2020), online: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-tight-blood-sugar-control-right-for-older-adults-with-diabetes-2018091714772
  7. Healthline. “The best diabetes apps of 2020.” (2020), online: https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/top-iphone-android-apps#beat-diabetes
  8. Diabetes Canada. “Flash glucose monitoring.” (2020), online: https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Managing-My-Diabetes/Tools%20and%20Resources/Flash_Glucose_Monitoring.pdf#:~:text=Diabetes%20Canada%20recommends%20that%3A%20%E2%80%A2%20Flash%20glucose%20monitoring,diabetes%20where%20there%20are%20demonstrated%20improved%20health%20outcomes