[Diabetes therapy in the elderly for better prognosis and well-being. Which strategies are suitable?]

A specific and important aim of treatment in elderly diabetics is neither to induce nor aggravate geriatric syndromes. Clinical observations indicate that this goal can be achieved in the elderly diabetic only when the control of blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids meet the recommendations of the European NIDDM Policy Group for type 2 diabetics. In principle, the same possibilities for the treatment of diabetes apply to the elderly as to younger diabetics, with differences merely of priority. As a result of the manifold afflictions of geriatric patients, problems arise with the implementation of treatment. However, intensive individual training of the elderly diabetic is capable of preserving his/her independence.