Health Perception and Behavior among Geriatric Diabetics in India

Indian diabetes have scaled to epidemic proportions with approx 16% diabetics aged 60 years and over. Poor knowledge and practices are some of the important variables influencing the development and progression of diabetes and its complications, which are largely preventable. Elderly population which are more vulnerable and have unmet needs.Thus increasing public awareness regarding modifiable diabetic risk factors, and healthier lifestyles, and developing strategies for the elderly and geriatric health care are the various possible mechanisms which can be used to stem the present epidemic of diabetes and specially the complications related with it among the elderly population.Patient education is the most effective way to lessen the complications of diabetes and its management as evident. The present work will help to plan, implement & evaluate health education interventions regarding diabetes among elderly population to improve their quality of life.