Attitudes and dilemmas of caregivers supporting people with intellectual disabilities who have diabetes

作者：Cardol Mieke^*; Rijken Mieke; Lantman de Valk Henny van Schrojenstein

来源：Patient Education and Counseling, 2012, 87(3): 383-388.

DOI：10.1016/j.pec.2011.11.010

• Intellectual disability
• Diabetes
• Caregivers
• Self-management
• Support

Objective: To explore how professional caregivers in communal living arrangements support people with a mild or moderate intellectual disability (ID) who have diabetes. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: A qualitative study, 13 caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: Professional caregiver support in diabetes care is almost solely directed towards administering medication and controlling food intake. Caregivers want to provide person-centered care but are hindered by a conflict between protecting a client%26apos;s health and at the same time respecting autonomy. None of the caregivers had received training in supporting self-management; their knowledge about diabetes is limited. The few that engaged their client in self-management stressed the importance of a positive and collaborative approach. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion: This study provides a first insight into the challenges that professional caregivers experience when a client with ID has diabetes. More education for caregivers seems needed. Self-management support is likely to benefit from consensus among caregivers about what comprises person-centered care and self-management in people with ID who have a chronic disease. %26lt;br%26gt;Practice implications: Increasing caregivers%26apos; awareness of the importance of supporting self-management in people with ID and a chronic disease is essential. Discussing practice examples in the light of existing knowledge about developing autonomy will contribute to their awareness.

• 出版日期2012-6