@A DiabetesTeam Member your neighbour at 83 years old is probably not concerned about developing heart disease that will take 15 to 20 years to "take her out"

And at that age an A1C of 7 is awesome - over age 80 an A1C of 7.5, 8.0 or even 8.5 would be considered "just fine". After a certain age it's easier to just try and alleviate any pain/discomfort from any complications then try to prevent them

Ya, it's morbid, but after a certain age there is little value in trying to prevent something from happening that can take 5, 10 or 20 years to get to "deadly" levels

And we all progress at different rates

My Great-Grandfather, diagnosed with Sugar Diabetes (Type 2) in 1920 at age 50, a year before insulin was discovered, died at age 101 without ever taking a medication and had no complications - at least none visible and he still got around on his own

In fact, he might still be alive now but him and his 90-something year old buddy "walked down to a local bar" the week after his 101st birthday to celebrate. He indulged a little too much, made it back to his room (old folks home) and passed out on his back - vomited and choked to death

51 years diabetic - no meds ever (no meters, no A1C tests, had to go to a clinic and wait 3 days for your FBS which was all they tested until recently) - died after tying one on at 101 years old - he's my hero and a prime example of Diabetes not having to be the end of your life or anything to fret over

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A Diabete...

@A DiabetesTeam Member Not being morbid but realistic. I do the same for other things such as the ridge tiles on the roof will need replacing but I ask myself is it worth it given I'm in my (allegedly) twilight years! 😁 Awareness of death gives a marvellous sharpness and focus to our lives which I could have done with many years ago!

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A Diabete...

@A DiabetesTeam Member Well at the rated she's going your neighbour will be soon a full blown diabetic and will have to increase her meds.

I wonder if she eats what she wants as opposed to what she should be eating?

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A Diabete...

My grandfather was a labile diabetic diagnosed in his 50’s, he was thin as a rail very active and ate healthy. Died at 76. My aunt was a diabetic but ate what she wanted, my uncle was diagnosed in his 90’s my mother was pre diabetic but never progressed beyond even with her sweet tooth. I was diagnosed, literally on my 62 birthday. Since being diagnosed I’ve discovered quite a few people I know who are diabetic. They do not watch what they eat that’s for sure. My husband has several relatives who are one being his cousin. He drinks….. a lot, eats the same as he did before and let’s just say it is not diabetic friendly at all. I give him a lot of flack when we are together about his eating habits. His daughter is a nurse (RN) and she tells him he should just go on insulin.😲 Does that tell you how the medical profession handles diabetic patients. Blows the mind.

Good morning Hkc 1/19/24
The women in my family have diabetes! My mom had type 1 diabetes as long as I can remember, her only sister also had type 1 as well. They both gained the wings due to some complications of diabetes.
Back in 1997 it was the first time I was told that I had borderline diabetes (prediabetes) and was told to watch what I eat. Of course I really didn't listen and kept eating the way I thought I wanted.😏
In (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators) mgs of metformin went to the nutritionist (who told me I should do a diet) again did't listen.😐
1999 my A1C was really high and I was not feeling very good; went to urgent care and the doctor had this strange look on her face 😳 she asked if I was taking my medication I said yes sometimes ( being honest)
The nurse took some blood and I was left in the room, for a few minutes; the doctor returned and told me pull up my sleeve and took a syringe from the little tray, wiped my left arm and gave me some insulin while telling me my A1C was walking dead high and I'm to sit there for a while and left the room.
That was the day I decided to pay attention to my type two diabetes, called my mother what had happened.
Before I left the clinic I made appointments with every person the doctor suggested, and joined the diabetes group.
The bonus was the group was at lunch time near my job at the time Hkc it was really great until my work hours changed. However I was able to join the go to the weekly group in my local clinic it was really great, I met a lot of people from my area over the years and it was a mix of different ages. But as time went on a lot of people stopped coming to the group when the weather changed (summer) So the clinic stopped having the weekly group and we went to twice a month and the same thing happened and the group just stopped.
I have three sisters I know one of them has type 2, my youngest daughter has type 2 and we are each other cheerleaders, my oldest daughter is borderline currently I tell her about how she can avoid the needle.
She has been listening to both her sister and myself on how to take care of (prediabetes).
I find this platform helpful as things are opening up slowly in NYC health wise.
I am 4 months to 65th year on earth and trying to figure out the Medicare stuff.
I have a few people who we keep in contact with each other to talk about our diabetes care and other issues, we are mostly in the 60 plus years of our lives.
So again a great question!
I enjoy coming on the platform to learn.
My two cents🤗
I enjoyed reading the answers of others.