The Lived Experience of Older Adults With Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Empirical Research Qualitative

To describe the lived experiences and shared essential structure of recurrent diabetic foot ulceration among adults aged 65 years or older.

A descriptive phenomenological study.

Seventeen participants were purposively recruited from a multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic in China. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2025 to February 2026 and analysed inductively using Colaizzi's seven-step method.

Four themes were identified: (1) navigating recurrence: varied recognition, interpretations and responses; (2) pain and altered sensation: functional limitations and social participation; (3) living under the threat of amputation: distress, difficult decisions and acceptance and (4) relying on support while striving to preserve autonomy and dignity. The shared essential structure was continuing vulnerability after healing, alongside efforts to preserve control, autonomy and dignity.

For older adults, recurrent diabetic foot ulceration was experienced as continuing vulnerability after healing, reshaping bodily confidence, everyday functioning, independence and future expectations.

Care for older adults with recurrent diabetic foot ulceration should extend beyond wound management to assess recurrence recognition, sensory changes, pain, mobility and psychological distress, while supporting shared decision-making, rehabilitation, continuity of care and autonomy.

This study identifies continuing vulnerability after healing, alongside efforts to preserve control, autonomy and dignity, as the shared experiential structure of recurrent diabetic foot ulceration in older adults, informing nursing and multidisciplinary care across settings.

This study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Patients were not involved as research partners in the design or conduct of the study. Seventeen older adults participated in interviews, and three subsequently reviewed a summary of the themes and shared essential structure.