Caring for Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Diabetes: Perspectives From Health Care Providers and Caregivers
- Linda B. Haas, PhC, RN, CDE
Abstract
In Brief
Most elderly people with diabetes are community dwelling and cared for by local health care providers and frequently by caregivers within the elders' homes. Care for these elders is often suboptimal compared with that of elderly people without diabetes. Issues include polypharmacy, decreased cognition, deficiencies in activities of daily living, functional impairment, decreased health literacy, depression, financial problems, and increased risk of falling. Strategies to address these issues should be part of health care providers' practice. Providers can also assist the caregivers of elderly patients by including them in the medical plan, identifying support systems, providing respite, and acknowledging their value. Many community and governmental resources are available and may be helpful for elderly patients with diabetes.
Footnotes
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Linda B. Haas, PhC, RN, CDE, is the endocrinology clinical nurse specialist in the Department of Primary and Specialty Medical Care at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division, and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle.
- American Diabetes Association
