Caregiving Behaviors of Family Caregivers for Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease that requires long-term care since it involves major changes in both physical and psychosocial dimension of patients. It is a major problem leading to complications affecting both small and large blood vessels. To reduce the chances of developing long-term complications, patients need quality self-care activities involvement providing supportive behaviors. This qualitative research aims to study the effect of provision of family support for diabetes mellitus-affected patients with regard to self-medication. Thirty (30) families consisting of diabetes mellitus-diagnosed patients and their caregivers were selected using purposive sampling. In-depth interview and non-participatory observation were also used in collecting data. Data were characterized using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

The caregiving behaviors examined fell into 6 main areas: 1) Dependence on companions to meet doctor appointments or to drive and pick-up patients; 2) Caregivers assistance in activities for patients with health limitations; 3) Caregivers warnings to patients of potential danger; 4) Management of self-care of diabetic patients which included cooking food such as raw food with local ingredients, mostly involving vegetables with an absolute abstinence of sweets, exercise to maintain proper physical weight and strength of the body, medication monitoring of the timely intake of medicines, and emotional support and love from other family members; 5) Acceptance of realities and adaptation to them and 6) Most of the caregivers were female; they were the patient’s spouse or daughter who was responsible enough to provide care according to gender roles in Thai tradition. In addition to caregiving, Thai females have many other family responsibilities.

Health care providers should support building capacities for diabetes mellitus patients together with family members to control the disease. Moreover, health care providers should assist men with diabetes mellitus to practice self-care to reduce the women’s burden in the family and support men and women’s access to the caregiving role.