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Thinking of older age and diabetes

Bobby105

Bobby105

Well-Known Member
Messages
64
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
We are thinking of moving ,
a bungalow,; or
a retirement cottage (lunch provided ); or
is it care home
If a bungalow is picked Id like to have some meals delivered for 4 days a week.
If the retirement one the meals wouldn't be diabetic as such, but I could have portion sizes
, I presume care homes provide base meals for diabetics

how do elderly diabetics manage?
Are there any healthy delivery companies?
Note I am type 2 , metforminx2 1 times Levemir. My weight is under 50k, I take cholesterol tabs and blood pressure.
 
Hi @Bobby105 just posting because as an insulin dependent T1 (on a pump) I'm interested in this question for my own future.

My own concern would be if I was unable to physically or mentally handle insulin. (There is a certain amount of physical dexterity required to do a pump set change or an insulin injection and mental dexterity required to operate the pump and/or calculate insulin doses.)

(I know when my mother was in hospital at the end of her life she struggled with insulin management when she was physically too weak to do her own injections because the nursing team were unable to adjust doses, but hopefully this was a one off.)

Healthy is a very difficult question because different people have different dietary needs.... Though at least food delivery companies now usually put nutritional values on their food. (My T2 father used to use Wiltshire farm foods though most of their meals are a little too carby for him now.) The official line on "heathy" food for diabetics is still the eatwell plate I believe, so your chances of getting very "low carb" food may be tricky. Having said that, as you are on insulin, it may be that you can adjust your insulin to cope with whatever diet you decide to follow???

Sorry I can't really answer your questions but will be following your thread with interest.

(Ps this is off topic do I won't be surprised if mods delete it, but I hope you realise that your levemir will need to be changed to a different insulin by the end of next year as levemir is being discontinued. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-u...isk-to-withdraw-levemir-what-you-need-to-know)
 
Having had first Covid and then 'flu' I got a delivery from Tesco. It was very easy to do and could help on days where you don't have meals delivered.
I ordered frozen mixed berries and veges, salad stuff, swede, yoghurt, cream, butter, eggs, lard, sugar free jelly, zero sugar squash and fizzy drinks, various packs of meat, chickens, tinned tuna - carby stuff for himself, delivered to the door for £2 as it amounted to more than £50.
It was just a matter of putting some bags by the front door to transfer from the delivery vans boxes.
 
EllieM said:
Hi @Bobby105 just posting because as an insulin dependent T1 (on a pump) I'm interested in this question for my own future.

My own concern would be if I was unable to physically or mentally handle insulin. (There is a certain amount of physical dexterity required to do a pump set change or an insulin injection and
EllieM said:
Hi @Bobby105 just posting because as an insulin dependent T1 (on a pump) I'm interested in this question for my own future.

My own concern would be if I was unable to physically or mentally handle insulin. (There is a certain amount of physical dexterity required to do a pump set change or an insulin injection and mental dexterity required to operate the pump and/or calculate insulin doses.)

(I know when my mother was in hospital at the end of her life she struggled with insulin management when she was physically too weak to do her own injections because the nursing team were unable to adjust doses, but hopefully this was a one off.)

Healthy is a very difficult question because different people have different dietary needs.... Though at least food delivery companies now usually put nutritional values on their food. (My T2 father used to use Wiltshire farm foods though most of their meals are a little too carby for him now.) The official line on "heathy" food for diabetics is still the eatwell plate I believe, so your chances of getting very "low carb" food may be tricky. Having said that, as you are on insulin, it may be that you can adjust your insulin to cope with whatever diet you decide to follow???

Sorry I can't really answer your questions but will be following your thread with interest.

(Ps this is off topic do I won't be surprised if mods delete it, but I hope you realise that your levemir will need to be changed to a different insulin by the end of next year as levemir is being discontinued. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-u...isk-to-withdraw-levemir-what-you-need-to-know)
Click to expand...
Thanks I'm not
mental dexterity required to operate the pump and/or calculate insulin doses.)

(I know when my mother was in hospital at the end of her life she struggled with insulin management when she was physically too weak to do her own injections because the nursing team were unable to adjust doses, but hopefully this was a one off.)

Healthy is a very difficult question because different people have different dietary needs.... Though at least food delivery companies now usually put nutritional values on their food. (My T2 father used to use Wiltshire farm foods though most of their meals are a little too carby for him now.) The official line on "heathy" food for diabetics is still the eatwell plate I believe, so your chances of getting very "low carb" food may be tricky. Having said that, as you are on insulin, it may be that you can adjust your insulin to cope with whatever diet you decide to follow???

Sorry I can't really answer your questions but will be following your thread with interest.

(Ps this is off topic do I won't be surprised if mods delete it, but I hope you realise that your levemir will need to be changed to a different insulin by the end of next year as levemir is being discontinued. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-u...isk-to-withdraw-levemir-what-you-need-to-know)
Click to expand...

fumanchu said:
Is keto any good? Somebody gave me a good site that delivers keto low carb meals.
Click to expand...
Hi Thats a thought. I'll look up keto and learn about it. I found a keto mix in Holland and Barrett for snacks and cakes. So maybe. Keto would be ok for some meals .I'll check
fumanchu said:
Bobby have a look here, this site was recommended by some in this forum.

Keto Meal Prep & Ready Meals Delivered | Keto Kitchen Lytham

Keto Kitchen Lytham delivers fresh, low-carb, gluten-free meals to your door.. Enjoy ketogenic diabetic-friendly dishes made for busy lifestyles—order now!
ketokitchenlytham.co.uk ketokitchenlytham.co.uk
Click to expand...
Hi The reply mechanism has gone beserk !! How can I make a general reply please . I tried a reply to Ellie M and the system seemed go wild
 
Hi @Bobby105 - rather than quoting posts you can just tag the person you want to address like I have here with you - just use the @ symbol followed directly by their forum name then type whatever you want to say
 
EllieM said:
Hi @Bobby105 just posting because as an insulin dependent T1 (on a pump)

My own concern would be if I was unable to physically or mentally handle insulin.

mental dexterity required to operate the pump and/or calculate insulin doses.)
Click to expand...
have come across the following artificial pancreas maybe is an option should it be needed no carb counting, just small/med/large meal insert. its available in usa in some area's. although not available in the uk. nhs maybe hopefully have either that or simular/better version at somepoint in the future

www.betabionics.com

The iLet Bionic Pancreas for adults

Learn how the iLet Bionic Pancreas is designed to support adults with diabetes. Discover how it supports better daily management.
www.betabionics.com

you can read a little about fairly recent study last updated late feb 2025: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04200313
 
Thanks for the suggestions I will go through them all and reply to some . I should have pointed out that I am type 2 - metformin + One insulin a.m. My husband is going to learn how to do a fingerprick in case I had a flu like illness rendering me temporarily unwell. Then he wants to try the insulin pen - more tricky i would think .
 
Bobby105 said:
Then he wants to try the insulin pen - more tricky i would think .
Click to expand...
not sure which needles your using, i found bd autoshield duo (universal safety needles) very easy to use. they are pressure activated and have a visual notification after used if triggered ok. There are several other brands that work the same indicator to show if activated ok. can read about those particular ones at https://www.embecta.com/en-us/hcp/Safety/autoshield-duo they come in various gauges and indeed depths.

edit added below:
theres also an audible click noise as well when triggers. forgot to say that prior.
 
Last edited:
@grantg I use a levemir pen , its not sophisticated - only once a day. Thanks for the info. However Levemir is being closed down in 2026. And in anticipation Ive arranged a research project I'll write about it shortly on a discussion page . Its worked but not viable in the longterm . I want to convince the diabetes lead doc to take me off levemir and try something better asap b4 i need a prescription for new Levemir pens in a few weeks.;)
 
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