2022 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 27-36
The purpose of this study is to clarify the situation with elderly diabetic patients who are at the stage of receiving assistance for insulin self-injection because of decreased cognitive function, as well as the types of nursing support conducted. A qualitative descriptive analysis was performed on data collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 nurses who have experience caring for older diabetics in this stage, which revealed four categories of nurses’ observations that characterized such patients: “inability to inject themselves with insulin conducive to glycemic control,” “insistent belief that they are still capable of managing self-injection,” “Isolating themselves from others with regard to self-inject insulin,” and eventually “learning to accept the introduction of care.” Furthermore, it revealed 4 categories of nursing care for them: “interactions with patients under the premise that cognitive decline impairs abilities for self-injection,” “investigating methods to help patients continue injecting themselves at home,” “involving the family to encourage the patient to accept injection care,” and “support to promote autonomous decision-making based on patient understanding and acceptance.” This analysis highlighted the importance of introducing insulin injection-related interventions while respecting the emotions and dignity of older adults.
