Using complemenatry therapies wisely in older people.

<b>Key points</b><br />• Over 30%, of older people use complementary therapies.<br />• Nurses need to be able to use complementary therapies safely if indicated and provide objective. accurate information about them.<br />• Complementary therapies can be used with conventional medical treatment to improve diabetes balance and quality of life.<br />• Herb-drug and herb-herb interactions and other adverse events can occur when conventional and complementary therapies are combined inappropriately.<br />• Complementary therapy use and the reasons for their use should be ascertained when taking a routine history and assessment.<br />