ABSTRACT
Diabetes contributes to a variety of complications that affect nearly all organ systems; vascular compromise is one of the primary etiologies of diabetes-associated conditions. Diabetes is a progressive disease and, over time, interventions will need to be adjusted to account for concurrent illnesses and changing lifestyles related to disability, diet, and medications. Treatment of diabetes in elderly adults is actually the same as treatment used for younger adults and includes diet, physical activity, and oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin. Nutritional requirements in older adults are slightly altered but may also be affected by chronic disease, medications, and ethnic or dietary preferences. For diabetic patients who require enteral nutrition support, there are unique formulas that have been designed to contribute to the management of blood glucose levels. The most commonly used formulas have higher protein, slightly lower carbohydrate, and higher fat levels than do standard formulas.
