The common disease trajectories: are they relevant to guide care as older people with diabetes progress towards their end of life?

The aim of the paper is to provide a brief overview of diabetes, its associated complications and related morbidity and mortality to highlight the importance of proactively discussing and planning for palliative and end of life care with older people. It suggests palliative and end of life care are essential components of quality diabetes management. Palliative care is no longer only associated with terminal cancer care in hospices: it is also recommended for other life limiting illnesses, including diabetes. Palliative and end of life care are defined, and the relationship among diabetes, the four health trajectories and end of life care is outlined. Strategies that can be used to help people maintain quality of life, dignity and autonomy are suggested for each trajectory. These strategies include health professionals having timely, meaningful conversations about palliative and end of life care with older people with diabetes and their families.