Participation in a diabetes education and care program: experience from the diabetes care for older adults project

There is very little reported information concerning the participation of older adults in diabetes education and care programs, factors related to their attendance, and the influence of attendance on program outcomes. In this study, which was part of a larger study of insulin therapy, subjects (> or = 65 years old) assigned to the intensive management group (n = 53) were provided with educational sessions during the 18-month study period. Data for this group were examined to determine factors that influenced enrollment and attendance. Attendance rates for individual participants averaged 72% during the first 6 months and 68% during the subsequent 12 months. Demographic factors, baseline knowledge test scores, and baseline glycosylated hemoglobin levels did not significantly influence participation. Greater distance from the clinic and shorter time using insulin were significantly related (P = .05) to attendance. Perceived benefits of the program included diabetes education (45%), glucose control (23%), and interacting with others who have diabetes (23%).