Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 29 No. 2 February 2003
By Inez Wendel, MS, CRNP; Samuel C. Durso, MD; Brian Zable, MD; Kimberly Loman, BS, CDE; Robin E. Remsburg, PhD, APRN, BC
EXCERPT
Type 2 diabetes is a common health problem in older adults, affecting nearly 20% of the United States population between ages 65 and 74 (Reid, Sox, Comi, & Atkins, 1996). It accounts for 28% of annual Medicare expenditure for older Americans (Ratner, 1998). Evidence from recent trials demonstrates that intensive glycemic control of Type 2 diabetes reduces microvascular disease (Nathan, 1999; Ohkuba et al., 1995; United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Group [UKPDS], 1998a, 1998b). Based on these findings, the National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are co-sponsoring a major national initiative to increase awareness and to improve treatment and outcomes for diabetic patients (Clark, 1999). The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 supported patient diabetes education by providing Medicare reimbursement for diabetes self-management training services, including self-glucose monitoring, diet, and exercise. (Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA], 1998).
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Ms. Wendel is Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Instructor, and Dr. Remsburg is Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Durso is Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Zable is Managing Partner, Colorado Springs Senior Medicine, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mrs. Loman is Diabetes Nurse Specialist, Medtronics MiniMed, Baltimore, Maryland.
This study was supported by the Johns Hopkins University Fund for Geriatric Medicine and Nursing.
Poster presented at the 1999 AGS/AFAR Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, also presented at the National Gerontological Nursing Association, 14th Annual Convention, Minneapolis, MN, 1999.
The authors thank Clare Menefee, RD of Senior Campus Living for teaching the diet and nutrition content of this course. They also thank the staff of Oak Crest Village Retirement Community for their support, and the residents for their time and participation in the course.
Address correspondence to Inez Wendel, MS, CRNP, Johns Hopkins Geriatrics at White Marsh, 4924 Campbell Blvd., Suite 205, Baltimore, MD 21236.
