Diabetes Burden and Activation Levels in Elderly Individuals with Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: This research has been conducted to determine the diabetes burden and patient activation levels in elderly individuals with diabetes. Methods: The sample of this descriptive study is composed of 230 individuals aged 65 years and over and individuals with a diagnosis of diabetes. Data has been collected at the internal medicine clinic of a state hospital between May 2021 and January 2022. Data collection has been collected using the Personal Information Form, Elderly Diabetes Burden Scale and Patient Activation Measure. Results: It has been determined that 37.4% of geriatric diabetics were at the first activity level, and 14.3% at the second activity level. The average Patient Activation Measure score has a significant correlation with Elderly Diabetes Burden Scale. It has been determined that the situation of age, high school degree or a higher level of education, lack of any acute or chronic complications, another chronic disease, having a diabetes education, use of oral antidiabetic medications and total elderly diabetes burden have a significant effect on activity levels. Conclusions: This study, it has shown that the burden of diabetes in geriatric patients has a significant difference by the patient activity levels.