Background
Nutrition is more than just the consumption of food to maintain bodily functions. Cultural characteristics, personal preferences and dislikes play a major role. The aim is to ensure adequate nutrition based on nutrients and hydration. The nutrition of elderly with diabetes should always be understood as part of the treatment in a context of several factors.
Methods
In this article, nutritional goals and recommendations taking into consideration age-associated specifics of diabetic patients are reviewed. Screening and assessment methods of nutritional status such as the Nutritional Screening 2002 and the Subjective Global Assessment are presented.
Results
The dietary recommendations must be differentiated and employ consultation with all stakeholders. Training with patients, family members, and nursing staff regarding the treatment of diabetes and corresponding measures is important. Changes in the patient’s condition require immediate intervention to prevent metabolic imbalance and to adjust the individual diabetes therapy. The treatment of people with cognitive impairment requires intensive exchange of information between nursing staff, family, physicians, and diabetologists to prevent acute complications such as hypo- or hyperglycemia.