Final answer:
The generally recommended A1C goal for older patients with diabetes is less than 7% to balance glycemic control and potential risks. Lowering A1C improves chances of staying healthy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The generally recommended A1C goal for older patients with diabetes is less than 7%. This goal balances glycemic control and potential risks by aiming to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, while also considering the overall health and individual circumstances of the patient.
Lowering the A1C level by any amount improves a person's chances of staying healthy. For every 1% decrease in A1C, there is an approximate 30 mg/dl decrease in average blood glucose levels.
It is important for older patients with diabetes to achieve good glycemic control to delay or prevent complications that can affect the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. However, individual circumstances such as overall health, life expectancy, and presence of other medical conditions should also be taken into account when setting the A1C goal.