Diet compliance of home care clients with diabetes mellitus

Home health services are increasing for elderly individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases which are often treated by diet modification. This study was undertaken to evaluate the diabetic homebound client's understanding of and compliance to his/her prescribed diet. An interviewer assisted modified food frequency and food habit questionnaire was completed by 20 male and 28 female home care clients, ranging in age from 51 to 91 years. Living in a metropolitan area, these respondents met the Medicare definition of homebound and were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Computer driven dietary analysis was completed from questionnaire responses to estimate the food and nutrient intake of the home care clients. Calculated food intake was compared to physician diet orders taken from the home care medical record and to respondents' verbalization of their diet orders. This comparison was based on the composite diet and the components of energy, sodium, and cholesterol or fat. These findings were evaluated according to sex, age, length of time respondent had been diagnosed as diabetic, and a vulnerability index based on living situation using Chi square methods.