Diabetes and Dementia: a growing problem for older people with diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is common in older populations, as discussed in a previous article in this series (Phillips and Phillips, 2011). In part, this is due to much improved outcomes in diabetes, with better risk management strategies (Hawthorne, 2009). The aim of this article is to investigate the impact and risk of diabetes in, specifically, vulnerable older people, particularly those developing cognitive impairment leading to dementia. The ethical aspects of health-care decision making for people with dementia can be challenging (Beauchamp and Childress, 2009). Loss of memory and cognitive dysfunction can make it difficult for people to take a full role in decisions about their care, and requires intervention and support from carers (often a close relative).