Development of Health Promotion Guideline for Family Caregiver of Elderly with Diabetes

Abstract

Family caregiving is common in African countries where the family plays a crucial role in caring and supporting a family member in need of care. Most older people who suffer from chronic diseases, including Diabetes Mellitus, stay at home where family members and relatives are responsible for their day-to-day care. The purpose of this article was to enhance community facilities nurses and other family caregiver’s knowledge and clinical practice. The group sizes of up to 8 to 14 participants were prescribed in the literature (McMillan, et al, 2014), a non-probability sample of eight nurse experts in diabetes management and leadership was recruited for the development of the guideline. The Nominal Group Technique is a structured, face-to-face, group interaction and consensus method which consists of a group of experts directed at idea generation, problem-solving, and determining healthcare priorities. However, seven guidelines were developed for the family caregivers in proper management of elderly with diabetes. In addition, this guideline is to be taught in the primary health care facilities for both the family and relatives in order to improve elderly’s quality of life. It is imperative to educate the caregivers on the care of elderly with diabetes mellitus for them to be competent and knowledgeable in assisting their diabetic elderly at home.