A Successful Diabetes Management Model of Care in Long-Term Care Facilities

This study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA) in 2021, describes a practical diabetes care program developed and tested in six long-term care facilities. Rather than focusing only on blood sugar targets, the program trained nurses and other staff to recognize diabetes problems early, screen every new resident for their risk of high or low blood glucose, and follow standardized care protocols while tailoring treatment to each resident’s individual needs. More than 500 staff members were trained, and over 1,000 residents with diabetes were screened using this approach.

The program helped staff identify and address episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia before they became recurring problems. Most episodes were linked to medication changes and were successfully resolved through adjustments in medications, meal planning, glucose monitoring, and staff education. The authors conclude that this practical, team-based model can improve diabetes care in long-term care facilities without requiring extensive new resources, although additional studies are needed to determine its long-term impact on resident outcomes.