This study aimed to identify the attributes of medical facilities preferred by older patients to ensure continuity of diabetes care. In late 2022, 24 inpatients of ≥ 65 years of age participated in a self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey at a university hospital in a rural area of Japan. The results highlighted that patients preferred post-discharge diabetes care facilities based on the patient-provider relationship, travel time to clinics or hospitals, and waiting time for consultations. A co-occurrence network graph was generated through a text mining analysis using the KH Coder 3 software program. The text content on the graph of preferred patient-physician relationship was qualitatively labeled as "Trustworthy clinical expertise," "Interpersonal interaction," and "Longitudinal assurance." For other diabetes care professionals, the content included "Familiarity" and "Information linkage." "Easy to contact" was universally valued. Community-based care teams are encouraged to consider the patient preferences and support the continuity of diabetes care.