[Structured educational programs for geriatric patients with diabetes mellitus].

Two-thirds of all diabetics are older than 60 years. Owing to the presence of multimorbidity and functional impairments, one-half of these diabetics must be considered "geriatric patients". This category of patients in particular requires a special educational program aimed at improving their situation and quality of life on the basis of good diabetic control. Currently, two educational concepts aimed in particular at elderly patients with type II diabetics and cognitive deficits are available and are described in the present paper. Education for diabetics with impairment of cognitive performance is available to such diabetics irrespective of age. The educational program: "Structured Education for Persons with Type II Diabetes in Old Age", newly developed by the Working Group Diabetes and Geriatrics of the German Diabetes Society teaches self-help skills, offers opportunities for empowerment, and has proved successful also in geriatric patients with mild cognitive deficits.