Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Diabetes Self-Management Among Rural Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly recognized as a component of self-care and healthy behaviors.
• Understanding the role of CAM in managing chronic conditions like diabetes is crucial, especially in diverse older adult populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and diabetes self-management practices.
• To explore CAM usage patterns among rural older adults from African American, Native American, and White ethnic backgrounds with diabetes.

Main Methods:

• A survey methodology was employed to collect data from rural older adults diagnosed with diabetes.
• Data collection focused on various domains of diabetes self-management and the utilization of general and diabetes-specific CAM therapies.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and specific aspects of diabetes self-management.
• A notable correlation emerged between CAM utilization and adherence to a healthy eating plan among the study participants.

Conclusions:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is integrated into the health maintenance strategies of older rural adults managing diabetes.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term health trajectories associated with CAM use in this demographic.