Assessing older people with diabetes in Australia

Diabetes management becomes increasingly complex as people age, and clinicians and people with diabetes can find it difficult to balance treatment benefits and risks. The Annual Cycle of Care (ACC) is a systematic approach that was designed to achieve optimal outcomes by providing a framework for multiple clinical assessments and checks to be completed. It has been part of diabetes management in Australia for many years and is supported through a series of fee-for-service payments to GPs and general practices that enable referral to diabetes educators and allied health professionals. This article will cover the role of the ACC for older people and the assessment and checks that are recommended for older people with diabetes, including how the Medicare Health Assessment for Older Persons (75+) encompasses key geriatric assessment to identify changes in the person’s function and health trajectory.