Outpatient support needs and related potential risk factors among older adults with diabetes

Objective: To understand the factors that allow older adults to promote self-care is important. The purpose of this study was to reveal important risks related to the self-care support needs of older adults with diabetes through multiple regression, and to describe recommendations to enhance their independent mobility and self-care through the assessment of support needs, with respect to self-care concerns and anxiety about vulnerability. Methods: We conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with primary vulnerability-related covariates. The correlation between several clinical features and the risk of insufficient self-care was examined. Multivariate linear regression estimated the independent variables for understanding vulnerability. Results: A total of 632 older Japanese adults with diabetes excluding two incomplete responses were analyzed. The EFA established a valid five-factor solution with 18 items ([hope for group education], [barrier to meal preparation], [vulnerable life], [hope for personal education], and [emergency preparedness and response]). Predictors for the five-factor solution reflected individual-level factors and were female sex (β = .023, p = .022), living alone (β = .064, p = .000), absence of a contact person once a week (β = .042, p = .043), level of care need (β = .038, p = .008), and available emergency medical care (β = −.023, p = .001). Conclusions: Social support networks were significantly related to vulnerability and disease control in older adults with diabetes. Realizing the high diabetes risk associated with vulnerability is important for outpatient intervention.