{"id":19897,"date":"2025-03-11T19:10:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T19:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=19897"},"modified":"2026-03-24T17:34:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:34:19","slug":"breakthrough-in-diabetes-tech-proves-effective-for-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/breakthrough-in-diabetes-tech-proves-effective-for-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakthrough in Diabetes Tech Proves Effective for Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">Washington State University-led research has found that older adults with type 1 diabetes can safely use automated insulin delivery systems, revolutionizing diabetes management for this demographic.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>New research from Washington State University and five other institutions demonstrates that automated insulin delivery (AID) systems are both safe and effective for older adults with type 1 diabetes. This counters the common belief that older adults might struggle with advanced medical technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an AID system, a sensor attached to the arm or belly continuously monitors blood sugar levels and communicates data to a wearable insulin pump. The pump then automatically adjusts insulin delivery without the need for manual input or injections. Some models offer wireless connectivity to smartphones, providing users with real-time blood sugar data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a big change for people to use technology to manage their diabetes when many of them have used multiple daily injections for 30 years or more,\u201d Naomi Chaytor, a professor and chair of the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Department of Community and Behavioral Health and one of the study\u2019s principal investigators, said in a news release. \u201cThere\u2019s a stereotype that technology is harder for older adults, but they did quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study, <a href=\"https:\/\/evidence.nejm.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1056\/EVIDoa2400200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in NEJM Evidence, addresses a significant knowledge gap by showing who can benefit from this technology. Automated insulin delivery has become the preferred method for managing type 1 diabetes, improving glucose control and reducing the burden of managing this lifelong condition for both children and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This research marks the largest clinical trial involving older adults with type 1 diabetes, a group often underrepresented in such studies. With a focus on factors relevant to older adults, such as the usability of technology and the prevention of hypoglycemia, the study highlights significant benefits. Hypoglycemia poses a particular risk for older adults due to its association with cognitive decline and complications like falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trial assessed two AID systems \u2014 the hybrid closed-loop system and the predictive low glucose suspend system \u2014 against a non-automated sensor-augmented pump system. Across 12 weeks, 78 participants aged 65 and older used each device, with regular monitoring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The results showed that the automated systems significantly reduced the time participants spent with dangerously low blood sugar levels compared to the non-automated system. The hybrid closed-loop system was especially effective, maintaining blood sugar in the target range 74% of the time, compared to 67% for the predictive system and 66% for the sensor-augmented pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While automated systems required more initial technical support to train participants, questionnaires indicated that participants were willing to adopt the new technology and found it just as user-friendly as the non-automated devices. Remarkably, those with mild cognitive impairment used the devices as effectively as those without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnboarding took more time and effort in this population than it would in younger populations, so it\u2019s important for providers to understand that it may take some upfront work to get people really comfortable with the technology,\u201d Chaytor added. \u201cProviders should plan for that but not be discouraged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the trial concluded, predictive low glucose suspend systems have been discontinued in the United States in favor of more sophisticated hybrid closed-loop systems, aligning with the study\u2019s findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The multicenter study included collaborators and enrollment sites at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and AdventHealth Translational Research Institute. The Jaeb Center for Health Research in Florida served as the clinical trial coordinating center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/medicine.wsu.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/24\/managing-type-1-diabetes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Washington State University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New research from Washington State University and five other institutions demonstrates that automated insulin delivery (AID) systems are both safe and effective for older adults with type 1 diabetes. This counters the common belief that older adults might struggle with advanced medical technology. In an AID system, a sensor attached to the arm or belly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[134,388,132],"class_list":["post-19897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health-care","tag-suny-upstate-medical-university","tag-upenn","tag-washington-state-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"New research from Washington State University and five other institutions demonstrates that automated insulin delivery (AID) systems are both safe and effective for older adults with type 1 diabetes. This counters the common belief that older adults might struggle with advanced medical technology. In an AID system, a sensor attached to the arm or belly&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19897"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19902,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19897\/revisions\/19902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}