Who Cares About Foot Care? Barriers and Enablers of Foot Self-care Practices Among Non-Institutionalized Older Adults Diagnosed With Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose

Appropriate and timely foot self-care practices may prevent diabetes-related foot complications. However, self-care practices are often neglected, particularly by older adults. The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrative, systematic literature review of the psychosocial barriers and enablers of foot self-care practices among older adults diagnosed with diabetes.

Methods

An integrative, systematic literature review and a deductive thematic analysis was conducted to determine psychosocial barriers and enablers of foot self-care practices among older adults.

Results

A total of 130 different studies were retrieved from the search strategy. From these, 9 studies were identified and included for review. Physical ability, perceived importance, patient knowledge, provision of education, social integration, risk status, and patient-provider communication were identified as key barriers and enablers of foot self-care. Participants at high risk of foot complications were found to perceive themselves at greater risk of complications, receive more education, and engage in better overall foot self-care practices compared to those at low risk of foot complications.

Conclusion

Foot self-care practices appear underutilized as primary prevention measures by older adults and are instead adopted only once complications have already occurred. Likewise, facilitators of foot self-care practices, such as education, appear to be reserved for individuals who have already developed foot complications. Health care professionals such as diabetes educators, podiatrists, and general practitioners may play an important role in the prevention of foot complications among older adults by recognizing, referring, and providing early education to older adults.