Monitoring Capabilities of Patients’ Families to Support Elderly Diabetes Patients Undergoing Insulin Therapy

• Published in: Journal of Japan Society of Nursing Research Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 4_671 - 4_681
• Main Authors: Kondo, Takao, Inagaki, Michiko, Tasaki, Keiko, Horiguchi, Tomomi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society of Nursing Research 20.10.2023; 一般社団法人 日本看護研究学会
• Subjects: diabetes; families; insulin therapy; Monitoring Capabilities; the elderly; インスリン療法; モニタリング力; 家族; 糖尿病; 高齢者
• ISSN: 2188-3599; 2189-6100
• DOI: 10.15065/jjsnr.20230117205

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explain the components of monitoring capabilities of patients' families to support elderly diabetes patients undergoing insulin therapy and the process of acquiring monitoring capabilities. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 family members of elderly diabetes patients who are undergoing treatment at home and receiving assistance with insulin injections. We analyzed the data using the modified grounded theory approach as reference. Results: The monitoring capabilities comprised seven categories (to fear hyperglycemia or/and hypoglycemia, to monitor glycemic excursions with one's own assessment measure, to naturally assist elderly family member with eating and insulin injections when required and watch over him/her, to notice aging of elderly family member to the extent where he/she has become unable to perform self-injections, to love and respect aged family members, to obtain a doctor's endorsement, and to take pride in one's own assessment measure to administer injections in an experienced manner), which enabled us to describe the process of acquiring the capabilities. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest it is possible to provide instructions on family care based on monitoring capabilities.