Discharge from the acute to community or other care settings is a high risk time for unscheduled hospital readmission and is associated with serious safety issues for people with diabetes.  Older people with diabetes (OPWD) are especially vulnerable because diabetes in older people typically coexists with multiple comorbidities including cognitive dysfunction, functional impairment, organ deficiency and liver, renal and cardiovascular disease, which increases the risk of adverse events and affects medicine choices.  

Diabetes-specific discharge planning for OPWD could enhance the transition from acute to community or other settings, improve post discharge outcomes and may prevent readmissions.  Providing OPWD with personalised diabetes-specific discharge planning information could enable them to safely manage post discharge periods, identify adverse events early and seek timely and appropriate health advice.  In addition, the diabetes-specific information could support health professionals by enhancing their knowledge about diabetes, the care needs of older people, and diabetes-specific needs at discharge.

Diabetes educators are optimally placed to support and contribute to optimal discharge planning for OPWD and family members.

The aim of the interactive workshop is to engage with and challenge participants with case studies and group discussion to:

·         Identify risks for OPWD when transitioning from the acute care setting to community or other care settings

·         Develop strategies to engage with OPWD and the care team to proactively plan to minimise transitional risks by using/applying a Diabetes-Specific Discharge Planning for OPWD tool. 

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

·         Determine diabetes-specific and other factors that trigger an acute admission or readmission for OPWD.

·         Identify ways to engage with community-based and inpatient OPWD and family members to identify and minimise transitional risks.

·         Examine the diabetes educators (community/outpatient/acute/subacute) role and responsibility in planning for discharge for OPWD.

·         Contribute to safe discharge planning for OPWD and family members. 

Session Chair: Michelle Robins.