Quality of life among older adults with diabetes mellitus: an integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62331/2965-758X.v4.2026.78Keywords:
Quality of life, Aged, Diabetes mellitusAbstract
Population aging and the rise in chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), pose significant challenges to public health. In this context, understanding the quality of life of older adults with DM is essential for identifying the disease’s impacts and informing more effective care strategies. The objective of this study was to analyze the scientific evidence regarding the quality of life of older adults with diabetes mellitus. This is an integrative literature review conducted through searches of the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases, using search terms related to diabetes mellitus, quality of life, and older adults. The study included studies for which the full text was available, published within the specified time frame, and addressing the proposed topic; duplicate studies and publications that did not meet the research objective were excluded. The results demonstrated that socioeconomic factors, lack of family support, functional autonomy, and psychological conditions directly influence the quality of life of older adults with diabetes. In addition, it was observed that adherence to treatment, time to diagnosis, and family support are key factors in the proper management of the disease and in the perception of well-being among this population. It can be concluded that identifying factors related to quality of life is essential for developing care strategies, with an emphasis on health education and strengthening diabetes self-management, with the aim of promoting comprehensive care and improving the living conditions of older adults affected by the disease.
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