Spotlight on diabetes care among the older generation

A conference aimed at improving the diabetes care among the elderly is set to take place next month.
Nurses, GPs, public health doctors, care home managers, healthcare assistants and members of the public are invited to attend the fifth National Conference of the Older People’s Diabetes Network (OPDN).
The aim of the organisation is to bring together all those who share the aim of ensuring older people with diabetes get the highest quality of care.
Professor Alan Sinclair, OPDN’s Director and Clinical Lead, said: “The OPDN plays an important role in showcasing the latest innovations and successes in the field of diabetes and older people as well as tackling the greatest challenges.
“We are committed to ensuring that older people with diabetes get the level of care that they deserve and at the fifth National Conference we will be joined by friends and colleagues who share our ambition.”
Type 2 diabetes often needs be controlled slightly differently in older people, particularly those who have physical impairments, other health complications or who already take certain medications.
Researchers this year have advised doctors to avoid overtreating elderly people with type 2 diabetes and make sure they receive personalised care. It is believed that avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” approach could be beneficial to older people.
Some of the themes of this year’s sessions include practical demonstrations of foot assessments, how to manage hypoglycemia, improving primary and home care, updating end of life recommendations and getting a good understanding of frailty and diabetes.
The network is hosted by RIA Diabetes &Educatio, an organisation dedicated to excellence in diabetes education and care.
The conference will take place on Thursday 27 September, 2018, at Friends House, in London, with the theme of ‘Public Health and the Older Adult with Diabetes’.
Tickets are now available.