Diabetes is a long term condition of high blood sugar levels. Consistently high blood sugar levels may increase the risk of complications to the eyes, blood vessels, kidney, heart and bones. This risk increases as one ages. Several guidelines and consensus were updated over the years with the advancement in medical technology and treatment methods. .A recent consensus on Diabetes management focussed on the management of frailty in older people with Type 2 Diabetes. The consensus was published in the journal Diabetes Therapy and it discusses the management of diet, exercise, blood sugar levels and medication in older people with Type 2 Diabetes. The guidelines define frailty as a loss of physical capability of all the organs of the body and the risk of failing severely ill or even death due to a stressful event. This frailty is not limited to age. Many older people with Type 2 Diabetes and associated complications may still be at the lower index of frailty.So, people should be individually assessed for frailty using a standardised test. Below is the summary of the guidelines:• Older people with Type 2 Diabetes have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) due to factors such as multiple medications, lowered food and water intake and associated complications such as heart disease.• Such people should be carefully assessed and their medication should be thoroughly reviewed before advising insulin and insulin stimulating drugs such as sulphonylureas.• The HbAlc goal for an older person with Type 2 Diabetes should be adjusted according to the health parameters. light blood sugar control in older people may lead to hypoglycaemia due to old age. Moderate control of blood sugar levels helps in preventing complications and hospitalisation. • The degree of frailty should be assessed from time to time to avoid any kind of aggressive treatment and adjust the management of health parameters in older people.• Remote monitoring of health and teleconsultation of older people is a suitable choice to avoid rigorous movement, falls and accidents.Annual check-ups help in early diagnosis, prevention and management of different complications of Diabetes that may occur in old age. Consult a diabetologist to better manage your blood sugar levels, a Diabetes educator to understand how to adjust your blood sugar monitoring devices and insulin doses, a dietician to manage your diet and a physiotherapist to create an exercise regime for you.
Diabetes is a long term condition of high blood sugar levels. Consistently high blood sugar levels may increase the risk of complications to the eyes, blood vessels, kidney, heart and bones. This risk increases as one ages. Several guidelines and consensus were updated over the years with the advancement in medical technology and treatment methods. .A recent consensus on Diabetes management focussed on the management of frailty in older people with Type 2 Diabetes. The consensus was published in the journal Diabetes Therapy and it discusses the management of diet, exercise, blood sugar levels and medication in older people with Type 2 Diabetes. The guidelines define frailty as a loss of physical capability of all the organs of the body and the risk of failing severely ill or even death due to a stressful event. This frailty is not limited to age. Many older people with Type 2 Diabetes and associated complications may still be at the lower index of frailty.So, people should be individually assessed for frailty using a standardised test. Below is the summary of the guidelines:• Older people with Type 2 Diabetes have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) due to factors such as multiple medications, lowered food and water intake and associated complications such as heart disease.• Such people should be carefully assessed and their medication should be thoroughly reviewed before advising insulin and insulin stimulating drugs such as sulphonylureas.• The HbAlc goal for an older person with Type 2 Diabetes should be adjusted according to the health parameters. light blood sugar control in older people may lead to hypoglycaemia due to old age. Moderate control of blood sugar levels helps in preventing complications and hospitalisation. • The degree of frailty should be assessed from time to time to avoid any kind of aggressive treatment and adjust the management of health parameters in older people.• Remote monitoring of health and teleconsultation of older people is a suitable choice to avoid rigorous movement, falls and accidents.Annual check-ups help in early diagnosis, prevention and management of different complications of Diabetes that may occur in old age. Consult a diabetologist to better manage your blood sugar levels, a Diabetes educator to understand how to adjust your blood sugar monitoring devices and insulin doses, a dietician to manage your diet and a physiotherapist to create an exercise regime for you.
