Document of diabetes care for residential and nursing homes.

Accepted 25 September 1996 In the UK, there has been a rapid expansion in residential and nursing home care for elderly people with a corresponding reduction in long-term hospital care. Many of the residents are disabled and a large percentage are likely to have diabetes, although accurate information is not available. The needs of patients with diabetes living within institutions may be overlooked if follow-up strategies have been terminated, if a structured care plan is absent or if no 'nominated' carer is available, or if care staff have little knowledge of basic diabetes management. In addition, in smaller institutions, the number of residents with diabetes may be relatively small and care staff accordingly have little opportunity for gaining experience in diabetes care.