Currently, adults make up 85 percent of those living with type 1 diabetes.  And every year in the United States alone, roughly half of the 30,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes are adults over the age of 18.  So for anyone who has spent time on Juvenation, JDRF’s social networking site which also provides a forum of support for people with type 1 diabetes, you have probably seen a lot of content and discussion specifically geared toward adults with the disease. 

Type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 disease that is difficult to live with and presents constant challenges to people of all ages.  To help people with those challenges, JDRF has created several tools that provide information and resources for the most common situations related to type 1 diabetes.  One of these tools is the Adult Type 1 Toolkit, which was launched last week and is available for download here.  The Toolkit addresses issues which are unique to adults, such as workplace stresses and relationships, the rigors of parenting, and the natural aging process, which can all take their toll by affecting how adults manage their disease. 

Written by adults with type 1 diabetes, the Adult Type 1 Toolkit is a comprehensive guidebook that provides a means to address such concerns as: where to turn for support; how to handle insurance issues; and how to manage blood glucose in varying situations.

But the Toolkit is not the only means for JDRF to provide support to adults with type 1 diabetes.  For adults who prefer a one-on-one environment, JDRF offers a Mentoring Program through its chapters, providing support and resources to any individual living with type 1 diabetes.  Still, others may prefer to receive support online.  For those people, JDRF volunteers in the Online Diabetes Support Team (ODST) are ready to receive questions and provide support and advice via email.  Both programs have expanded since their introduction as more adults have been eager to volunteer and share their experiences.

To learn more about these and other resources for adults, visit the newly revamped “Adults” page on the JDRF website.