Research for Older Adults Living with T1D
Advancing the understanding of diabetes technology, care partner support, and independence for older adults with type 1 diabetes.
FlyGUIDE
Focus Group and Interview Discussion to Understand Insulin Delivery Experiences.
Aims
- To examine age-related challenges affecting independence in diabetes self-management among older adults with T1D.
- To explore benefits and challenges associated with the use of automated insulin delivery (AID) from the perspectives of older adults with T1D and their care partners.
- To identify specific areas in which care partner support may facilitate safe and effective diabetes technology use and diabetes management among older adults with and without memory and thinking issues.
Who is eligible?
We are recruiting care partners of older adults living with T1D. A care partner is defined as someone 18+ who lives in the same household as a person with type 1 diabetes OR is available to provide support to assist with diabetes-related tasks. We are interested in hearing from care partners who support AID use and overall T1D management for individuals with and without memory or thinking problems, such as dementia.
Benefits of participation
- $50 Amazon gift card for one survey and a 90-minute Zoom interview.
- Completely virtual — participate from the comfort of your own home.
In Development
As adults with type 1 diabetes live longer, some may experience changes in memory, cognition, or self-management abilities. Research is needed to better understand how diabetes technologies and care partner support can help maintain safety, independence, and quality of life.
Focus
- Exploring ways to support older adults with type 1 diabetes who experience memory and thinking issues.
- Understanding how care partners can assist with diabetes technology use.
- Evaluating approaches that may reduce diabetes management burden for families.
- Identifying barriers and support needs for broader adoption of advanced insulin delivery systems.
Population of Interest
- Older adults with type 1 diabetes
- Care partners willing to assist with diabetes management due to memory and thinking issues
Investigator Sites
- AdventHealth — Orlando, FL
- Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN
- SUNY Upstate Medical University — Syracuse, NY
AIDE
Automated Insulin Delivery in Elderly With Diabetes: a randomized cross-over trial evaluating automated insulin delivery technologies on hypoglycemia and quality of life in elderly adults with type 1 diabetes.
Aims
- To determine the effect of HCL on hypoglycemia in adults with T1D aged 65 and older.
- To evaluate older adults' preferences and experiences with CGM-augmented pump technologies (PLGS, HCL, or SAP) during a 12-week extension, and identify which system they chose and why.
Results
- HCL significantly reduced hypoglycemia and provided the greatest overall benefit to adults with T1D aged 65 and older.
- Older adults successfully and safely used advanced diabetes technologies, demonstrating that AID systems are effective in this age group.