Not a doctor, so FWIW. Type 2 Diabetic ~ 20 years. A1C is a long-ish term indicator. 4-6 months I think, but not immediate like the finger sticks. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels over the long term means more exercise (burning calories), and better/lesser eating (keto/"real" natural (not "advertised natural) and quantity restrictions. Didn't want to start with this, but the bottom line is recovery and maintenance are straightforward but they suck. Hungry a lot. Missing out on snacking and specific snacks is brutal. You've provided no weight info, but personally had to lose about 50 pounds. Hated every minute, but my A1C is almost non-diabetic level. Start exercising with ANYTHING. If it's walking 1 mile per day, all he can take, then do it and maintain that level. Increase it comfortably when you can. The change in eating habits is difficult. Did I mention it sucks? Knowing and accepting that it sucks makes it a little easier to persevere. Do I take 'break days'? Yes. responsible and minimal. Ice cream scoop not an ice cream sundae. And rare. Bottom line, Diabetes T2 isn't fair, but properly maintained the health and welfare goes way up living the healthier lifestyle. 65 years old, playing ice hockey once a week and scuba diving every chance I get. I hope this helps. Oh and get a good doc who knows diabetes, like an endocrinologist for advice.