Diabetes and older people: ensuring individualised practice

Diabetes mellitus is increasingly common in older people, partly because diabetes outcomes and risk management strategies have improved and partly because people are living longer and healthier lives.

This article considers the impact of diabetes in older people and the ethical considerations when making decisions regarding the care of older people. It is important, but sometimes difficult, to balance a person's individual needs with the need to achieve national targets for diabetes, such as those in the QOF.

To do no harm and achieve good outcomes, care must be person-centred and not target-driven. Practice, nurses, GPs and community nurses are at the forefront of providing older people with individualised diabetes care.