Perceived Family Support and Treatment Adherence in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Vollständiger Abstract

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Background: Evidence regarding the association between family support and treatment adherence among older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived family support and treatment adherence among older adults with T2D. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 233 older adults with T2D from an endocrinology outpatient clinic in southern Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, Hensarling’s Diabetes Family Support Scale (HDFSS), and the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Patient Compliance Scale. Results: Older adults with T2D reported moderate-to-high levels of perceived family support, alongside moderate overall patient compliance. Some participants reported T2D-related complications and a history of hospitalization. Regression analysis indicated that the model accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance in patient adherence. Although total HDFSS was not significantly associated with compliance, the encouragement subscale showed a positive association, whereas the facilitative support subscale showed a negative association with patient compliance. Discussion: The results highlighted that facilitative support was associated with better treatment adherence among older adults, suggesting the importance of considering patient-centered and family-centered approaches in diabetes care. Encouraging initiatives, when carried out entirely under family control, seemed to be linked to lower self-management skills among older adults.