For residents, family, friends, staff and carers of people with diabetes in care homes

These pages are designed to give you information about older people with diabetes in the care home setting. Diabetes is a common condition that can have a significant impact on the health and well being of older people.

The medication that is required to control the condition may be more likely to cause side effects because of changes in the circulation and kidneys as people get older.

Diabetes may be one condition among many such as arthritis, heart trouble and memory problems. A complication occurring for a vulnerable older person can be a catastrophe.

As more people move to live in residential care, their needs will be met by the staff of their care home. Information and advice is often needed to help a carer or staff member know what to do to help the resident with diabetes.

This section is the product of an active multi-professional team that has developed guidelines for good practice for every aspect of the care of older people with diabetes.

We hope that you will find the answers to your questions here.

Reviewed March 2010
Next review September 2011