Q. Counselling Elderly Diabetics?

The rising trend of diabetes in the elderly population is a challenge for health care providers. The problems which make the diabetes treatment a challenge in elderly are:

· The coexisting diseases

· Socio economic problems

· Ill effects of ageing( insulin resistance)

· Decreased physical activity

· Use of medicines for other illnesses

Though the basic disease can be managed by drugs and lifestyle modifications prescribed by doctor, the counsellor can help by ensuring that they understand the importance of compliance. The elderly should also be counselled on the issues of basic body care like eye care, foot care, falls, fractures, urinary incontinence and depression.