Diabetes in Older Adults, Essay Example

In recent years, there has been a significant level of concern associated with the treatment of diabetic patients, many of whom have suffered at the hands of mismanagement with respect to medications and other issues, such as neuropathy and foot care. Therefore, it has been difficult for many patients to endure these challenges across many age groups. It is important to provide treatment to diabetic patients on a consistent basis to improve their general health and wellbeing. Therefore, strict attention to each patient’s case must occur to provide the best possible outcomes in diabetes management to facilitate an effective patient response.

The risks associated with diabetes for older adults continue to pose a problem for this population in different ways. Diabetics require significant attention and support for this disease, as it has a definitive impact on organs and systems. Pharmacists are responsible for advocating for diabetic patients and must communicate challenges related to medication and other needs for these individuals. Therefore, the support of pharmacists is critical in addressing this population and in minimizing gaps in treatment and potentially poor outcomes for older adults. Most importantly, glycemic control for patients must be addressed on a timely basis to prevent long-term complications (Nam et.al, 2011). It is believed that when pharmacists communicate and provide education regarding glycemic control, patients are likely to listen and modify their behaviors accordingly.

Older adults with diabetes must be able to gain access to medications that may improve their health over the long term. This is best accomplished by using a framework in which pharmacists provide support, knowledge, and also clarify any misconceptions regarding the disease and its impact on patients. Resources must be available for patients and they should not be ignored under any circumstances. This group requires a higher level of attention and focus to meet their needs more effectively.

At the same time, the existence of cormorbid conditions reflects the need for pharmacists to address these issues in conjunction with diabetes (Kirkman et.al, 2012). Clarifying these situations may be effective in promoting behavioral changes among patients and in determining how to best evaluate their needs more effectively. Therefore, pharmacists must play a role in providing counseling and guidance to older adults who have diabetes so that they are able to endure the condition and its overall impact on their health over time on a more successful level.

This information is of critical importance in evaluating the stage of the disease and how to determine if the response to medication has been appropriate in preventing further decline as a result of the disease. This process is essential to the overall discussion and understanding of diabetes and its impact on older adults receiving pharmacological therapies for the disease, and how these issues reflect a need for pharmacy-based intervention on a continuous basis to support improved health outcomes.

Based upon these issues, pharmacists must be able to provide a valuable contribution to patients and recognize the value of their knowledge and communication in getting the word out so as not to exclude any patients from valuable treatments and education that could preserve or save their lives. Therefore, pharmacists must be able to share their knowledge and experience with older adults to improve their diabetic state as much as possible through medication, diet, and exercise. This will minimize gaps in knowledge and promote a greater understanding of the dynamics of the disease and how it impacts their lives in different ways.

References

Kirkman, M. S., Briscoe, V. J., Clark, N., Florez, H., Haas, L. B., Halter, J. B., … & Swift, C. S. (2012). Diabetes in older adults. Diabetes care, 35(12), 2650-2664.

Nam, S., Chesla, C., Stotts, N. A., Kroon, L., & Janson, S. L. (2011). Barriers to diabetes management: patient and provider factors. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 93(1), 1-9.