Narrative on Hypoglycemia in Older Adults with Diabetes—Exploring Their Experience Using Thematic Analysis—

Abstract

Purpose: Hypoglycemia affects the prognosis of diabetic patients. This study aimed to explore the hypoglycemic experience of older adults with diabetes.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 older adults aged 65 to 90 years with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. They had experienced hypoglycemia within the last year from the date when they agreed to participate in this research. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: The hypoglycemic experience of older adults with diabetes was revealed through twelve sub-themes and four themes: “Frustration from Losing Control,” “Controlling Hypoglycemia with Self-esteem,” “Understanding that Self-management is Needed,” and “Reconciling Hypoglycemia.”

Conclusion: We revealed that older adults with diabetes have not only negative but also positive feelings of “Controlling Hypoglycemia with Self-esteem.” From our findings, older adults may selectively “Reconcile Hypoglycemia” based on their lives and values.