Funnell M M, Merritt J H
Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center, Ann Arbor.
Nurs Clin North Am. 1993 Mar;28(1):45-60.
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects a disproportionate number of older adults and members of ethnic minorities. It is an illness that requires long-term active patient participation to maintain metabolic control and challenges both the patient and health care provider. The need for the patient to carry out daily self-care behaviors is no less important simply because the person is older. Older adults, however, experience unique challenges because of the physical and functional changes that may be imposed by the aging process and the prevalence of multiple chronic illnesses and complications. Because diabetes self-care is carried out within the context of all aspects of a person's life, it is important, then, for the health professional to recognize these social, functional, and psychological challenges. All aspects of physical, functional, and psychosocial status need to be taken into account, and diabetes education needs to be provided based on jointly identified goals, interests, abilities, and needs.
糖尿病是一种慢性病，在老年人和少数族裔中发病率极高。这种疾病需要患者长期积极参与以维持代谢控制，对患者和医护人员都是一种挑战。患者进行日常自我护理行为的必要性并不会因为其年龄较大而降低。然而，由于衰老过程可能带来的身体和功能变化以及多种慢性病和并发症的普遍存在，老年人面临着独特的挑战。由于糖尿病自我护理是在一个人的生活各个方面的背景下进行的，因此，健康专业人员认识到这些社会、功能和心理挑战非常重要。需要考虑身体、功能和心理社会状况的各个方面，并根据共同确定的目标、兴趣、能力和需求提供糖尿病教育。
