Diabetes Education and Support for Older Adults

Introduction
In the Fall of 2005, I began to research the prevalence and effects of diabetes among older adults. I found several literary sources that reported that diabetes was a common disease among older adults. According to Wacker, Roberto, and Piper (2002), diabetes is among the top ten chronic conditions of persons over the age of 65. I also found literature regarding the importance of education about the disease for diabetes patients (American Diabetes Association [ADA], 2002). After reading this literature I decided to work with a colleague to create a diabetes education presentation for older adults in the community. However, I continued my research by interviewing community members, including diabetes patients, direct service providers for older adults, and administrators at agencies that serve older adults. These interviewees reported that diabetes education programs are already offered in the community, but diabetes patients are not aware of the programs. After conducting the interviews, my colleague and I changed our community project intervention. My colleague decided to create a presentation for staff members at an agency that serves older adults, regarding diabetes information that might be helpful for service providers working with clients who have been diagnosed with the disease. I decided to create an informational resource that contains information about the diabetes education programs and support groups available in the community.

Statement of Need
Approximately 18.2 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes, a group of diseases related to high blood glucose levels due to the body’s inability to manage insulin levels (ADA, 2002). Of those 18.2 million people with diabetes, there is a higher prevalence of older adults (ADA, 2002). Treatment of diabetes relies on patient self-management, which consists of taking medications as prescribed, following a doctor-recommended diet plan, and exercising according to a doctor’s recommendations (Keers, Links, Boumar, Scholten-Jaegers, Gans & Sanderman, 2005). Several studies (ADA, 2002; Keers et al., 2005; Pardhan & Mahomed, 2004) have shown that diabetes education was necessary for effective self-management of the disease. Interviews with community members report that older adults with diabetes are not aware that diabetes educational services are available (Direct Service Provider, personal communication, October 13, 2005; Diabetes Patient, personal communication, October 13, 2005; Diabetes Patient, personal communication, October 10, 2005). Older adults with diabetes are not aware of diabetes educational services in the community that are necessary to ensure proper self-management of the disease.

Description of the Intervention
The goal of my community project was for older adults to properly self-manage their diabetes diagnoses. I wanted the older adults in the community to receive the information necessary for them to properly self-manage their diagnoses, and to prevent any negative consequences or health declines that result from diabetes. In order to achieve this goal, I created a written resource that lists the diabetes education programs and support groups offered in the community. I contacted agencies serving older adults, hospitals, and fitness centers throughout the county in order to secure information regarding educational programs and support groups that are available. I organized the information into a two-sided written resource, with one side featuring education programs, and the other side featuring support groups. I distributed this resource to all staff members at a local agency serving older adults, by sending it as an attachment to an email. I requested that staff members distribute the resource to all of their clients who have diabetes. I also mailed several copies of the resource to four other agencies that serve older adults within Butte County. In addition, I mailed a copy of the resource to all of the clients at my internship placement who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Evaluation of the Intervention
I had intended to present the written resource to staff members at my internship placement at the end of my colleague’s diabetes presentation to the staff. I had planned on then receiving feedback from the staff regarding the effectiveness of the resource and the presentation, in the form of a ten-question evaluation form. However, my colleague changed her community project intervention, at the request of her field instructor at her internship placement, and therefore the diabetes presentation for staff members did reach fruition. I was still able to distribute the written resource to staff members by sending an agency-wide email. I was not able to receive feedback about the resource and presentation though, since there was no presentation.

Reflections on the Project
After completing the research process and repeatedly reading about the necessity for diabetes patients to receive education about the disease in order to properly self-manage, I believe that further distribution of the written resource would be helpful for older adults, and anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes. Possible places for further distribution might include senior nutrition sites, medical settings such as doctor’s offices or hospitals, and community centers. I also think that a staff member at my internship placement agency should be designated to routinely update the resource every six months, as the information may change over time. I hope that the written resource continues to be adapted to best suit diabetes patients’ needs, and that it continues to be distributed throughout the community.

References
American Diabetes Association [ADA]. (2002). National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Retrieved
September 4, 2005, from http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=
STATISTICS-_233193
Keers, J.C., Links, T.P., Boumar, J., Scholten-Jaeger, S.M.H.J., Ganz, R.O.B., & Sanderman, R.
(2005). Diabetes rehabilitation: Effects of a multidisciplinary intensive education programme for diabetic patients with prolonged self-management difficulties. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 12, 117-126.
Pardhan, S., & Mahomed, I. (2004). Knowledge, self-help and socioeconomic factors in South Asian and Caucasian diabetic patients. Eye, 18, 509-513.
Wacker, R., Roberto, K., & Piper, L. (2002). Community resources for older adults: Programs and services in an era of change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.