1. The missing link: district nurses as social connection for older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Author
-
Sandra Lucas
- Subjects
Male ,District nurse ,Health Status ,media_common.quotation_subject ,MEDLINE ,Nurse's Role ,Interviews as Topic ,Social support ,Nursing ,Perception ,Humans ,Medicine ,Central element ,Aged ,Demography ,media_common ,Aged, 80 and over ,Community and Home Care ,business.industry ,Social Support ,Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ,General Medicine ,Community Health Nursing ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ,Female ,Nurse-Patient Relations ,business ,Older people - Abstract
The relationship between social connection and health is widely recognised. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the impact of district nursing care on social connection for people with a chronic illness such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using a mixed-method approach, an exploration of the perceptions of older people living in the community with T2DM regarding their health and social connections was carried out. Findings revealed a strong relationship between the clients and the district nurse. The district nurse is an important aspect of clients’ social connection. For some clients where their social connection is limited, the district nurse is a central element. When the district nurse is the major social connection, problems can arise for the client, especially when they are being discharged or changes are made to their care.
- Published
- 2013