FOCUS ON: TYPE 2 DIABETES IN THE ELDERLY & FRAIL
Type 2 diabetes management in the elderly and frail
Of all type 2 diabetes patients, polypharmacy is most prevalent in the elderly,1 which has been found to negatively impact health outcomes2 and quality of life.1,3 |
Healthcare professionals can help to reduce treatment burden and improve health-related quality of life in this complex patient group, by individualising treatment plans.4 |
A 4-step guide to adopting an individualised approach in the management of T2D in the elderly & frail
Consider less intensive HbA1C targets for patients with moderate or severe frailty.5,6
Frail older adults are at increased risk of hypoglycaemia and associated complications - consider adjusting medication doses or avoiding treatments options with high incidence of hypoglycaemia.5
Malnutrition or sarcopenia may be present in older frail patients; mild exercise and optimal nutrition may be recommended.5,7
Unlike age, frailty is dynamic, reversible and not necessarily progressive.5 Assess frailty annually as a minimum, or following a change in a patient's medication or circumstances.5
VIDEO | 17 min
Management of type 2 diabetes in the elderly and frail | Dr Sarah Jarvis
Agenda:
The ideal glycaemic targets for the elderly & frail with T2D
How to simplify the management of T2D in the elderly & frail population
The practicalities of Trajenta as a T2D treatment option in the elderly & frail
PHARMACY ELEARNING MODULE
Type 2 diabetes in a frail older person
Highlights:
A case-based module, created in collaboration with Advanced Practice Pharmacist Samina Ali
The impact and consequences of frailty in T2D
Key considerations for T2D management including hypoglycaemia, comorbidities, and HbA1c targets
Medication options and next steps
This module is hosted externally
Abbreviation:
T2D: type 2 diabetes
References:
- Austin R P. Diabetes Spectr. 2006;19(1):13–16.
- Boateng I, et al. PLoS One. 2025;20(2):e0317907.
- Schenker Y, et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2019;34(4):559–566.
- Huang E S. JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(4):435–436.
- Strain W D, et al. Diabetes Ther. 2021;12(5):1227-1247.
- NHS England. Quality and Outcomes Framework guidance for 2024/25. Available at: england.nhs.uk. Accessed July 2025.
- Bahat G, et al. Drugs Aging. 2023;40(9):751-761.
Trajenta is indicated in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control as:
monotherapy when metformin is inappropriate due to intolerance, or contraindicated due to renal impairment
in combination with other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes, including insulin, when these do not provide adequate glycaemic control
PC-GB-111782 | July 2025