Aging with Diabetes: Health, Safety and Independence, Chapter 1: Growing Older with Diabetes
Common Myths About Aging and Diabetes
Learn which common ideas about aging and diabetes are myths, and what the facts show.
The reader can tell common myths about older age and diabetes from accurate information.
A common idea says diabetes comes automatically with growing older. It does not.
The risk of type 2 diabetes does rise with age. Type 2 means the body does not use insulin well.
Age is like a weather forecast. It means more chance of rain, not a sure storm. Many people with diabetes manage well with the right plan.
Some people believe lower blood sugar is always better. It is not.
For many older adults, avoiding lows matters as much as aiming for strict numbers. A low is a reading below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L).
A severe low is one that needs help from another person. Severe lows are linked to falls, heart events, thinking changes and hospital visits. Your doctor sets your target.
People also say tiredness or forgetfulness always means diabetes is the cause. It does not.
These symptoms are not always caused by diabetes. A doctor can check what is behind them. Mention new tiredness or forgetfulness at your next visit, even if you have a guess.
A doctor stands beside a big card. For the myth the card has a yellow border, a big question mark and a Myth tag. Then the card flips and the question mark turns into a tick. For the fact the card has a green border, a big green tick and a Fact tag.
Key takeaways
- Age raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, but it does not make diabetes automatic.
- Avoiding lows often matters as much as aiming for strict numbers.
- Tiredness or forgetfulness is not always caused by diabetes, so a doctor can check.
Try it
This week, write down any reading below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and the time of day it happened. Bring this record to your doctor, and ask them what to do if a low happens.