Community-living older adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) have poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL), higher risk for the development of diabetes complications, and higher use of health services than those with T2DM only. Comorbid health conditions can also impair clients’ ability to self-manage their diabetes and to adhere to treatment, which increases the probabilities of adverse outcomes. Most diabetes disease management programs and guidelines in Canada are entirely focused on diabetes only and do not address the challenges to patients and providers of managing related conditions.
This pragmatic mixed methods randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a newly developed health promotion intervention on self-management, HRQOL, diabetes complications and the costs of use of health services for older adults with T2DM and MCC. The results informed the development and dissemination of a new and innovative community-based model for diabetes care that can be adapted and implemented for older adults with T2DM and MCC across Canada.
We would like to acknowledge the support of the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative, funder of the 2013 pilot study.
Pilot Study Publication in Pilot and Feasibility Studies
Publication in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS)