Summer is finally here – the season of beach days, spontaneous road trips, and outdoor adventures. Summer can also mean changes in routine and other variables like heat, eating out or increases in activity – all things that can add more to the mental load of managing blood sugars.

The good news? The latest generation of diabetes technology is catching up to how people want to live – smaller devices, extended wear sensors and smarter algorithms. In this update, we’re breaking down the latest tech developments designed to keep you in range so you can spend less time managing your device and more time enjoying the sun!

Sensors:

DEXCOM

The most important update for Dexcom users is the discontinuation of Dexcom G6 manufacturing as of July 1^st, 2026. Please make sure to reach out to your healthcare team to upgrade to the Dexcom G7 or another sensor.

We are still waiting for the 15-day wear sensor in Canada, however this is already available in other countries.

LIBRE 3

A new app will be coming soon that will consolidate the existing separate apps for each Libre (2, 3, etc). This will make it easier for future upgrades so you can keep the same app. Additionally, there will be some new features – after taking a photo of your food, it can give you nutrition recommendations, and there will be different ways to customize alerts.

In Canada, we are still waiting for the Libre Duo – which checks glucose levels as well as ketone levels, however it is planned to be available in Europe hopefully later this year.

Pumps:

MININED

Earlier in the year, Minimed’s (formerly Medtronic) new sensor Simplera was approved by Health Canada. It will link with the 780G pump and have an easier insertion with no transmitter. It’s not yet commercially available but hopefully will be before the end of the year!

Coming down the pipeline eventually will be a new algorithm that will no longer require meal boluses entered from the user and also have lower blood glucose targets in auto mode. There are also plans for there be a much smaller pump available as well.

TANDEM

Late into 2025, Tandem launched their Tandem t:slim Mobile App which allows users to bolus directly from their phone without needing to do so from their pump. The app will also upload the pump data directly to the Tandem Source website so you no longer have to spend time manually uploading your pump.

Just launched in June 2026 is Control IQ+! There are now broader indications for use of the pump including those 2 years of age and up, weight range of 9-200kg and total daily insulin dose from 5-200 units. It also brings back the ability to use a temporary basal rate up to 72 hours and now allows the option to lengthen an extended bolus up to 8 hours (previously only 2 hours). These settings can help with different activities, meals and changes in schedule.

OMNIPOD

Not available in Canada yet, Insulet has launched an “enhanced” algorithm that allows users to select a lower blood glucose target and will hopefully allow users to stay in auto mode for longer with less interruptions.

Ultimately the best tech is the one that fits your specific lifestyle and goals. Speak with your healthcare team for more information about insulin pump and CGM options. The technology is evolving fast but you remain the expert on your own body. Stay cool, stay connected and enjoy the rest of your summer!

An often-overlooked area of our overall wellness is our mental health. We typically hear about how we should eat healthy or lose weight but our mental health maintenance is not something that is typically talked about or encouraged. However, the fact remains it can feel very difficult to take care of ourselves when we are not feeling mentally healthy.

Here are some tips to help you focus on your mental wellness:

Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health!  Making time to prioritize and focus on this aspect of your overall well-being can have an impact on many areas of your life.  What can you start doing today to help build your mental health and resilience?

All kidding aside with the title of this section, like others, you may have questions about Omicron, the COVID-19 variant that is taking the world by storm.  Here are some updates to keep things in perspective.

What is Omicron?

• A newer COVID-19 variant of concern.  It was first brought to our attention by astute clinicians in South Africa on November 24, 2021.  It has since been noted that it was already / is present in other countries around the world too.

How does it compare to the Delta variant?

• Much more easy to catch than the Delta variant.  And by the time this goes to print, it is expected to be the dominant strain in Canada and many other countries around the world.
• Each Omicron case infects four to eight times more people than the Delta variant.
• If you look at graphs of COVID-19 “waves”, the recent Omicron section looks more like a steep cliff – that means lots of people are getting it in a very short period of time.

I had COVID-19 or the Delta variant, am I immune to Omicron?

• Unfortunately, Omicron is able to infect you even if you have been previously infected with Delta and had 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

What’s up with the recent push for 3^rd / booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine?

• TWO doses of vaccine would have been 70-90% protective against Delta, but TWO doses is only 30-40% protective against Omicron. 
• The 3^rd dose will increase your antibodies against COIVD-19 by 25-35%.  Omicron is less able to infect you if you get THREE doses of COVID-19 vaccine.  The 3^rd dose is important to get ASAP!  

I’ve heard Omicron is very contagious, but “mild” and will make people less sick – so why bother with the 3^rd dose?

• Omicron is very infectious.  Many more people will get it, even those who are vaccinated.  But those who are vaccinated tend to fare better.
• If 3^rd dose vaccination prevents more people overall from getting Omicron, that still helps our hospitals and ICUs.  Reason: Even if only a small percentage of people who get Omicron need the hospital or ICU, if there are many, many more people getting Omicron, a small percentage of many, many people may still be too many people than we have ICU beds for.  As an example, 5% of a very large pie is more pie than a 5% of a small pie.  They are both “only” 5%, but in absolute size – or in the case of Omicron, the actual number of people – the bigger the pie, the bigger the entity of what we get to handle.
• We know those with diabetes that get COVID-19 don’t tend to do as well as people without diabetes – fare worse, longer recovery, increased rate of death.  So if you have diabetes, it is important to protect yourself and decrease your risk of getting this.

Here’s a question for you:  If you have diabetes and get ill, dehydrated or have a loss of appetite, do you know how to adjust your insulin or know which medications to temporarily stop taking? 

• If you are not sure how to adjust your insulin during illness, or whether you need to stop any of your other medications, we encourage you to ask your Certified Diabetes Educator or healthcare provider.
• If you live in Ontario, please book an appointment to receive a free, personalized Sick  Day Care Plan from the Diabetes Depot CDE Pharmacist via info@diabetesdepot.ca