Diabetes technology such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce the burden of diabetes. Despite these benefits, however, there remain challenges to technology adoption in the aging population. This study aimed to explore older people with diabetes' (PWD) attitudes towards technology and understand barriers to its implementation.

In December 2022, 2,585 PWD aged 65 or older (24% type 1, 61% female) in the United States took an online survey assessing how aging affects their ability to manage diabetes as well as how beneficial they believe diabetes technology to be. Those who did not view diabetes technology as very or extremely beneficial (n=737) further elaborated on their hesitations towards adopting technology in open-ended responses (5% type 1, 69% female). Results were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.

The most common aging-related challenges with managing diabetes were difficulty exercising (39%), reduced hypoglycemia awareness (11%), and forgetting to take medication/insulin (8%). Interestingly, technology was of little concern; only 1% had difficulties using diabetes technology and the majority (66%) rated diabetes technology as very or extremely beneficial for diabetes management. CGM users (92% vs. 51%, p<.001) and pump users (96% vs. 59%, p<.001) in particular were more likely to view diabetes technology as beneficial than non-users. Qualitative analysis identified main barriers to adopting technology among older PWD, which included cost/insurance coverage (18%), satisfaction with current treatment options (14%), and time and effort spent learning how to use the device (12%).

This research reveals that negative actual and perceived benefits of diabetes technology likely do not serve as barriers to their implementation among older PWD. Rather, barriers to adoption stem primarily from cost-related factors and concerns about training, suggesting the need to invest in more in-depth education for older PWD.

Disclosure

A.Zeng: Employee; dQ&A. E.Xu: Employee; dQ&A. T.Bell: Employee; dQ&A. T.L.Bristow: Employee; dQ&A.

© 2023 by the American Diabetes Association
2023
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