● There is an increased risk for hypoglycemia (LOW blood sugars) for those on certain diabetes medications AND this risk increases with dementia.

● As well, as your dementia progresses, we are less strict about your diabetes blood sugar control. The risks of tight diabetes control outweigh the benefits.

● Recommended changes are usually to stop higher-risk medications like glipizide, to simplify insulin protocols, and to relax blood sugar goals. Specifically, the A1C blood test goal, which is the 3 month batting average of your overall blood sugar control, can be relaxed to a higher number (i.e. going from <7% goal to <8% goal, depending on your individual circumstance). 

● We recommend getting an A1C done if it's been more than 6 months. You can talk with your primary care doc for this blood work.

● We will review your diabetes care as part of our comprehensive assessment. If we feel that medication change is needed, we can either make the change with you and let your primary know OR if you prefer, you can review with your primary first. Once we make the change, we would recommend a follow-up A1C in 3 months with your primary.

Version: YT 12/29/2024