The financial burden of DM to the Canadian health care system will approach $17 billion/year by 2020. Beyond the direct health burden of T2DM, the condition is an independent risk factor for falls and dementia -two of the 'geriatric giants'. T2DM is 'an important unresolved issue previously unacknowledged' and is considered to increase 'biological age' by 2 years in those aged over 70 years.