10 Technologies Changing Diabetes Care

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pamelahazelton,
User Rank: Apprentice
7/18/2014 | 2:44:13 AM

Re: Blindness and Diabetes

[[Have you found any technologies]]

They're scarce and often difficult to understand. However, any blind users using JAWS or similar software to navigate the web will find that joining the user-base forums for those tools a good place to network and seek advice from other blind folk.

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pamelahazelton,
User Rank: Apprentice
7/18/2014 | 2:40:19 AM

Re: All Great, But Missing a BIG Piece of the Puzzle

[[Why, do you think, there are so few?]]

I'm at a loss. When it comes to certain tech, we're falling backwards. My husband's first pump had a piston rod that was akin to a standard screw, so he was able to follow a few different tones and change insulin cartridges himself - a great thing when I would travel. Now it's all electronic and, while it's "possible" for him to do it, the margin for error is huge.

Plenty of devices (pumps, meters, etc) have some utilizable components, but none on their own allow for a totally blind diabetic to be completely on his own.

Best example I can give is his recent "forced move" to an iPhone. When his old flip phone, with easy to use "push" buttons (and a dot on the 5), and "speak out" numbers as he dialed gave up, we couldn't find a blind-friendly cell phone outside of purchasing a high-end exclusive one. Now he lets Siri do whatever she can for him. But for his insulin pump? We have to arrange for a family member or friend to stop by every 2-1/2 to 3 days whenever I'm gone.

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Alison_Diana,
User Rank: Author
7/14/2014 | 10:39:26 AM

Re: Solution

Many apps, including those for managing diabetes, also help in turning back diabetes I would think. If you can reverse type 2 diabetes by eating better and exercising, apps (and/or devices like Fitbit, Jawbone, et al) should surely encourage patients to improve their health by tracking their exercises and diets? I know Montefiore, for example, was considering piloting a program using personal health trackers to treat diabetic teens, when I spoke to the organization's chief strategist a few months ago.

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100%

Alison_Diana,
User Rank: Author
7/14/2014 | 10:36:01 AM

Re: Solution

That is one reason Cities for Life was so well-received in its area. Organizers called or surveyed organizations in the entire region that offered anything related to healthy living -- that included religious organizations that had exercise classes ranging from walking and zumba to yoga and meditation to farmers' markets and cooking classes. They then compiled all this information on the website so diabetics (and, to be quite frank, anyone else interested in a healthier lifestyle) could discover exercise or food-related places near to their work or office. Although they have not yet been able to determine the results (in terms of analyzing how knowledge translated into improvements in diabetes) they did see increases in usage.

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DuaneW534,
User Rank: Apprentice
7/14/2014 | 9:52:24 AM

Re: Solution

The technologies are for treatment. I think Roger is making a very important point. When diagnosed, you have to change your lifestyle and 90% of Type 2 diabetes is reversible.

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50%

Alison_Diana,
User Rank: Author
7/13/2014 | 7:26:49 PM

Blindness and Diabetes

Have you found any technologies -- apps, voice-activated devices or websites, or other tools -- that help blind diabetics? If so, please share them.

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50%

Alison_Diana,
User Rank: Author
7/13/2014 | 7:23:25 PM

Re: Solution

I linked to an April New York Times article that discussed how small advances in technology can dramatically increase the price of insulin pumps and other medical devices diabetics need to stay healthy. The article generated a lot of comments -- many negative -- from organizations such as the American Diabetes Association that point to the improvements these new devices deliver. I think it's exciting to see other ways in which researchers are using technology to help prevent and manage diabetes, things like using big data and analytics to figure out not only preventative measures (some of which are common knowledge at this point) but which methods are best-suited for particular individuals. Or designing a "bionic pancreas" or less invasive, painful ways to deliver insulin so more patients will be compliant with their doctors' orders.

When speaking to healthcare professionals, they realize diabetes is expensive but in the vast, vast majority of cases these pros truly want their patients to get well or have happier, healthier lives for their patients' sake. It truly is a win-win when you have healthier patients and, btw, the health system pays less.

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Alison_Diana,
User Rank: Author
7/13/2014 | 7:16:30 PM

Re: All Great, But Missing a BIG Piece of the Puzzle

Thank you for raising a very, very important point. I had thought there would be more voice-activated pumps and other technologies available for diabetics and was surprised at the dearth of these devices. Why, do you think, there are so few? Is it a technological issue (which seems unlikely, given the growth of voice activation in other areas); profitability; insurance; complexity, or something else completely?

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100%

RogerB641,
User Rank: Apprentice
7/13/2014 | 12:04:35 AM

Re: Solution

Yes, I agree. But the money and attention goes towards the most expensive and the most technologicall advanced solution

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100%

pamelahazelton,
User Rank: Apprentice
7/12/2014 | 6:39:59 PM

Re: Solution

For many, yes, but not all. We wish it were that simple of a solution for everyone.

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