Living with diabetes

Your health, finances and future

Managing diabetes means managing more than your health. We’re here to help with the financial side, so you can focus on feeling your best.

Learn more about why financial confidence is for everyone – and the value of a plan

Rowena Chan

President, Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc., Senior Vice-President, Retail Advice & Solutions

“You have a unique journey: your own milestones and goals. At Sun Life, we're here to empower you to move forward, with holistic advice and tailored solutions.”

You're doing a lot. We see that.

Living with diabetes means making choices every day about food, appointments, prescriptions, money, and how you spend your energy. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It touches all aspects of life, for millions of Canadians.

Diabetes is also common – and growing.

In Canada, nearly 1 in 3 people are living with diabetes or prediabetes.1 That means we all have friends, neighbours, coworkers and family members who are managing it right now.

And the impact goes beyond health. Diabetes can shape your routines, your grocery list, your insurance options, your household budget, your family finances, and even your long-term plans…

It’s not surprising that up to 50% of people with diabetes2 experience distress due to their condition.

But change is happening. There are fresh approaches to diabetes.

You’re not alone in this journey. Across the country, researchers, health organizations, and communities are finding better ways to support people living with diabetes.

There are new national strategies, emerging research, and more people with lived experience shaping the solutions.3 Groups like Diabetes Canada, the YMCA and LifestyleRx are developing community programs to improve everything from meal planning to mental well-being.

There’s powerful proof that lifestyle changes can make a real difference for people’s health, while also helping ease the financial pressure.

A recent study4 by the Montreal Heart Institute and the Centre ÉPIC followed 117 people living with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes over 12 months. With guided lifestyle interventions (nutrition, exercise), a significant number of the participants reached the criteria for remission – which means reversing diabetes and returning blood-sugar levels to a non-diabetic range. Similar research5 has shown promising results in patients with prediabetes.

As researcher Dr. Josep Iglesies-Grau noted, “The results are very promising, particularly when the condition is managed as early as possible.”

At the Montreal Heart Institute and the Centre ÉPIC, a dedicated clinic now supports patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and a research program is currently underway to study innovative and lasting remission strategies.

And at Sun Life, we’re here to help.

Where to start

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Start planning

Explore the financial impact of diabetes and pick up tips on how to manage your money. 

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Discover support

See if you qualify for Canada’s Disability Tax Credit, and reach out to a financial advisor: both could make a real difference.

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Feel confident

Start working to secure your financial future by exploring life insurance options designed for people with diabetes.

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Video: Why financial confidence is for everyone – and the value of a plan

Watch time: 3 minutes 29 seconds

Financial and physical health go hand in hand. With the right plan and the right support, you can feel confident about your future, no matter where you are in your journey. Sun Life’s Rowena Chan shares how thoughtful planning and trusted advice empower Canadians living with diabetes to take charge of both their health and finances.

TEXT ON SCREEN: Sun Life

TEXT ON SCREEN: Financial confidence & the value of a plan

Xania: "Rowena, when we speak about financial confidence for Canadians. For you..."

TEXT ON SCREEN: Xania Khan, Host, Client Experience Office, Sun Life

Xania: "... Why is the link between health and finance and protection so important?"

TEXT ON SCREEN: Rowena Chan, President, Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. and Senior Vice-President, Retail Advice & Solutions

Rowena: "So I think when we talk about confidence a lot of time it's really: ‘Do I have a plan to get to where I want to be?’ But it's not just about myself – it's my loved ones and what I care for. It could be my families, people that are important to me or causes. Financial health, physical health are so tied together.

And when you actually look at it holistically and you say I have a plan and I know where I want to get to and, whether I have health needs, medical bills, or I have education goals for my children, or legacy goals. When I have a plan to get there, I have peace of mind. And then you are better prepared, and you have more confidence because you have a plan.”

Xania: "That confidence plays a really big part. And when we think about the daily costs associated with diabetes. And when we think about Sun Life’s role and the role of the advisor, how do you see that fitting and how do you see them supporting?"

Rowena: "Yeah, yeah. So, I think I'm very lucky. We work with a team of advisors across 1,100 Canadian communities. They're ingrained in the communities. They're the face of Sun Life that develop a personal relationship not only with the client, but with their household, with their families. And so the relationship is close and deep and intimate. And so, therefore, our advisor can have an open conversation.

Our advisors then understand the Client's situation. We’ll actually help them with a savings plan. And so as you look at the Client's needs holistically, you come up with an action plan to work towards that goal."

TEXT ON SCREEN: When is the right time to talk to an advisor?

Xania: "We are looking truly at the holistic picture, the whole story of a Canadian as they’re living through their life, not just for today, right? But for the future. So when you when you’re talking about services that we offer or Sun Life’s mission. What is the right time to reach out and talk to an advisor?"

Rowena: "So I would say any time is the right time. The earlier, the better because then you can plan way ahead. You can start the actions earlier but it's never too late and never too early. And so I would say, well I go back to Sun Life’s purpose. Our purpose is to help Canadians live healthier lives and achieve lifetime financial security.

And so, when we think about this purpose then we say: ‘What are the needs of Canadians?’ And I want to bring back to like, we just launched this first in the industry solutions called Term insurance for diabetes. And why do we do that? So we think about Canadian’s confidence. What do they need?

This is a chronic disease that need to be addressed."

Xania: "Rowena, thank you so much for being with us today."

Rowena: "My pleasure."

TEXT ON SCREEN:

Start planning a future you’re excited about.

sunlife.ca/findanadvisor

Tips for everyday life

Manage diabetes and look ahead to your financial future

Here’s how to get ready for your first meeting with an advisor:

  • List your diabetes-related expenses (e.g. insulin costs, medications).
  • Gather financial documents (e.g. pay statements, investment accounts, tax returns).
  • Prepare questions, including how to balance care with financial goals, how to plan for retirement, and insurance options for people living with diabetes.

Discover 5 things an advisor can do for you

Can you get life insurance while living with diabetes?

Good news: the answer’s yes. And it can help you start building a financial safety net. Here are three benefits of Sun Life's Term Insurance for Diabetes.

  • A higher chance of approval compared to conventional life insurance.  
  • Affordable premiums and wide eligibility including type 1, type 2, gestational or prediabetes.
  • Tailored support, like one year of diabetes management coaching. 

Explore Term Insurance for Diabetes

Make sense of where your money’s going

This free-to-use budget calculator can help you get a handle on monthly spending.

The best part? It takes five minutes.

What you get:

  • A clear idea of your income and expenses.
  • A flexible budget that grows with you (perfect for life's twists and turns).

Try Sun Life’s budget calculator

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Video: Voices from the community

Watch time: 5 minutes 32 seconds

At a time when Indigenous children are 10 times more likely9 to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Spirit North is working alongside Indigenous communities to connect kids with the outdoors, and themselves, through sport and play.

“It's incredible when we go out there and teach these kids how to be outside,” says Tristan House, Program Leader, Stoney Nakoda Nations. Spirit North provides land-based physical activity and sports programs for Indigenous children and youth to support their physical, mental and spiritual health. Sun Life has proudly supported Spirit North since 2021.

At Sun Life, we partner with charitable organizations which promote diabetes awareness and healthy lifestyle habits. Since 2012, we have committed more than $58 million to diabetes globally.

Learn more about our commitment

<Traditional music playing>

<speaking in Stoney>

Tristan: "Stoney Nakoda people are the original ‘people of the mountains’. We have lived on this land for centuries and how we interact with it makes us who we are. Our culture and traditions are very important to us and it’s important that they continue."

TEXT ON SCREEN: GAME ON

TEXT ON SCREEN: Stoney Nakoda Nations, Mînî Thnî, Alberta, Canada

TEXT ON SCREEN: Tristan House. Programme leader, Spirit North Stoney Nakoda Nations.

<Begins speaking in English>

Tristan: "I was born in Calgary, but I was raised here on Stoney Nakoda traditional territory. I was able to, you know, learn a lot of things. I'm connected through my culture, which is medicines, singing pow-wow, dancing."

Tristan: "When I was growing up, sport was a big influence for me. It gave me something to focus on. It's great that I am able to be a positive influence for the next generation of kids growing up on this reserve through Spirit North."

TEXT ON SCREEN: Spirit North Summer camp

TEXT ON SCREEN: Beckie Scott. Former athlete, Founder of Spirit North.

Beckie: "Spirit North is a sport for social development organization, working on a national scale, working to improve health, wellness, education, community outcomes for indigenous children and youth."

Beckie: “I grew up in a little town in North Eastern Alberta, and both my parents were very active outdoor enthusiasts so I spent my summers hiking on wilderness canoe trips and winters cross-country skiing."

Spirit North Program Leader: "All right, let's do elbow to elbow."

Beckie: "Representing your country at the highest level is the pinnacle in any sporting career. It's the ultimate goal and I am immensely proud of that achievement."

Beckie: "When I retired from my career. I started going up north every winter to visit a number of First Nation communities, and every time we left, you'd see transformation happening. You know, kids walking a little taller. We'd pack up to leave and everyone would say, when are you coming back? And it just really started to weigh on me and was really moved and inspired to do something that was going to be impactful and make a difference."

Beckie: "Spirit North is a nonprofit which aims to empower indigenous youth through sport and play."

Tristan: "Hold onto the pedals, and then back up to the seat and then back down to the back tires."

Beckie: "This is our summer camp, which we run every year. Usually we work with schools and communities on reserve to deliver sports activities to the kids during the school year. In the warmer months, we do things like mountain biking, canoeing and hiking. In the winter we go skiing. I truly believe that sport has the power to change lives. It changed mine."

Beckie: "You know, Spirit North as an upstream sort of intervention organization, is doing a lot of work on the health front, trying to to get kids active early on and embracing a physically active lifestyle that will translate into better health overall."

TEXT ON SCREEN: Indigenous youth are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than non-Indigenous youth.

Beckie: "A good partner to us is invaluable. And when I say good partner, I mean the alignment of values and principles. So for, you know, a partner like Sun Life to come to the table for us, you know, and enable us not only to do the work, but to know that we are, we have similar goals and, and the same objectives with this work. It's incredible."

Tristan: "When we go out there and teach these kids how to be outside and how to do these outdoor sports, it also keeps them healthy, keeps them moving their body. We have a lot of problems: health issues like diabetes. But with these programs, these kids are able to move around without looking at their tablets or phones."

Tristan: "Stoney Nakoda people. This is what we do. We offer before we go and do something. Even if you're going to go hunting, whether you are you going to a powwow trail. Whatever it is, the environment your entering you have to offer, so this is what you’re going to do today."

Spirit North Program Leader: "... and we're going to be crisscrossing up the Creek to the little waterfall."

Tristan: "Spirit North has given us a window to move around to move our body. We are regaining our youth back. Our youth are starting to have visions again on what they're going to be, what their purpose is going to be in this earth."

Beckie: "I think it changes you. You know, this ability to be, to connect with nature, to connect with the land like it does shift you in ways for your more at peace, you’re grounded."

Beckie: "I really hope when they leave the program that they've been transformed into someways positively. Built some pride or confidence, or they've experienced joy."

Tristan: "Spirit North has given us that a healthier way of lifestyle where I'm able to pass down some of the knowledge that I was given to be outside with nature, like we were before."

ON SCREEN TEXT

Sun Life gratefully acknowledges that filming was located on Stoney Nakoda Nation Lands.

We also thank the following individuals for their involvement in this project:

Ollie Benjamin, Knowledge Keeper, Stoney Nation Îyethka Wîchaska

Mitchell Dixon, Recreation Manager, Mînî Thnî Recreation Centre

Johnny Powderface, Fitness and Programs Manager, Mînî Thnî Recreation Centre

ON SCREEN TEXT

Presented by Sun Life

Produced for Sun Life by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions

What else can help? More options at your fingertips

This free program connects you with a care team that understands diabetes.  

Learn more and get started

Yes, it’s possible for some people to put it into remission. Here’s the key info.

Find out about the possibilities of remission

If you live with a disability, you could get up to 10 years of backdated tax breaks.

Here's what you need to know

Sun Life Assurance Company is the Title Sponsor of the Lace Up to End Diabetes. Through our long-standing partnership, we're committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of the more than four million people in Canada living with diabetes.

This fall, join the community – and help make a difference at the same time.

Register for the event

Diabetes expert (and Sun Life partner) Dr. Byrne answers your questions.

Listen to the LifestyleRX podcast

After the budget calculator – what’s next? A customized plan can take you further.

Start building a customized plan

Financial success often starts with great advice. But how do you know if an advisor is the right fit?

Start with these questions

A Sun Life advisor can help shape your financial future.

Enter your postal code to find an advisor near you.

This page is meant to provide general information only. It’s not professional medical advice, or a substitute for that advice. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada does not provide legal, accounting, taxation, or other professional advice. Please seek advice from a qualified professional, including a thorough examination of your specific legal, accounting and tax situation.

1 Diabetes in Canada 2024 Backgrounder (Diabetes Canada, 2024)

2 Report: Diabetes in Canada (Diabetes Canada, 2024)

3 Diabetes: What Canada's Doing (Government of Canada, 2025)

4 Study on Metabolic Improvements and Remission of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes (National Library of Medicine, 2022)

5 Study on Cardiac Rehabilitation for Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome Remission (CJC Open, 2024)

6 New Data Shows Diabetes Rates And Economic Burden On Families Continue To Rise In Ontario (Diabetes Canada, 2019)

7 Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Out-of-Pocket Costs (Diabetes Canada, 2022)

8 Data Blog (Government of Canada, 2019)

9 Prevalence, incidence and outcomes of diabetes in Ontario First Nations children: a longitudinal population-based cohort study (National Library of Medicine, 2020)