WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Israa Haitham Murtadha and Batool Ali Hasan

ABSTRACT

Background: Senior diabetes management depends on family careers; whose expertise greatly affects patient results. Carers learn to manage the condition, recognize complications, and promote medication adherence, enhancing patient and carer well-being. Targeted treatments can minimize healthcare expenses and enhance senior diabetes care, especially in resource-limited settings. This study examines how family carers' diabetes affects senior diabetics' QoL. Method: This study assessed the impact of family caregivers' knowledge on elderly diabetic patients' health outcomes, involving 200 caregiver-patient dyads at Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Data on patients' demographics, diabetes characteristics, and ADL, alongside caregivers' demographics and diabetes knowledge, were collected using structured questionnaires. The study spanned three months, with interviews conducted thrice weekly. Results: Most elderly diabetic patients (56%) were aged 60–69, with 70.7% being independent in daily activities and 52% reporting complications. Good knowledge was significantly associated with secondary education (p = 0.015), shorter diabetes duration (p = 0.04), and non-smoking status (p = 0.0001). Among caregivers, good knowledge correlated with secondary education (p = 0.05), employment (p = 0.05), and being the patient’s spouse (p = 0.006). A strong association was found between the knowledge levels of patients and their caregivers (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The health outcomes of senior diabetes patients depend on carer expertise, according to this study. Patients and carers need educational interventions to improve QoL and knowledge gaps. The results support global studies on collaborative, family-centered chronic disease treatment, highlighting the importance of carers in enhancing health outcomes for senior diabetics.