Experiences of community-dwelling frail older adults with diabetes: Using phenomenological methods

Purpose: This study explored the meaning and essence of life experiences among community-dwelling frail older adults with diabetes. Methods: This study used Giorgi’s phenomenological methods to analyze in-depth interviews with 16 people who were diagnosed with diabetes and scored 3~5 on the Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight (FRAIL) Scale. Participants were recruited from a public health and a senior welfare center in Jeollabuk-do province of South Korea. Results: The data analysis revealed four essential themes and 12 subthemes derived from the interview data. These themes provided valuable insights into the experiences of frail older people with diabetes and shed light on their perspectives and challenges. The four essential themes were as follows: A feeble body falling into a bottomless pit, a narrowed range of activity, enduring heavy emotional burden, and the prospect of being supported for life. Conclusion: This study revealed that community-dwelling frail older individuals with diabetes experience physical, psychological, and social frailty, exacerbating the need for aggressive diabetes management. These findings underscore the importance of providing holistic care to support this population in managing both diabetes and frailty.