Management of Diabetes in the Elderly

Management of diabetes in the elderly necessitates careful consideration of concomitant geriatric syndromes and comorbid conditions that increase the risk of complications, including severe hypoglycemia. Whereas healthy older adults can use therapeutic approaches recommended for their younger counterparts, treatment plans for frail elderly patients need to be simplified and A 1c and blood pressure goals relaxed with the development of impairments in function, cognition, vision, and dexterity. The goals of diabetes management in the elderly should be to maintain quality of life and minimize symptomatic hyperglycemia and drug side effects, including hypoglycemia.