Diabetes in the elderly. A unique set of management challenges.
The overall goals in regard to management of diabetes in the elderly are twofold. First, blood glucose control should be kept as near normal as possible (certainly always less than 200 mg/dl) without inordinately increasing risks related to therapy; this will decrease the risk of acute complications and hopefully of long-term ones as well. Second, overall functional status should be maintained or improved. Although a number of factors peculiar to old age complicate the management of diabetes, with careful planning these goals should be attainable.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans