Determination of illness perception and social relationships of geriatric individuals with TYPE 2 diabetes mellitus

This study was conducted to determine the perception of illness and social network of geriatric individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This descriptive and analytical study was conducted with 107 geriatric individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinic and home care unit of a hospital between March and December 2021. In the study, data were collected using the Patient Description Form, the Illness Perception Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale-6. 66.4% of geriatric individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were women, 58.9% were married, 39.3% were primary school graduates, and the mean age was 73.09±6.89 years. 57.9% of the individuals participating in the study went to check-ups only once a year, their disease duration was 15.07±8.56 years on average, 42.1% had a history of diabetes in their first-degree relative, 62.6% had diabetes complications. developed has been determined. Factors such as gender, marital status, age, education and income status, family history of diabetes, complication development status, treatment used and regular use of drugs created a significant difference in the perception of the disease (p<0.05). In social network relations; it was determined that marital status, age and education status made a significant difference (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between the Lubben social network scale and the sub-dimensions of the disease perception scale (p<0.05). Age, marital status and educational status were found to affect both the perception of illness and social network relations. Since living with chronic illness for many years may cause changes in the perception of the disease, it may be recommended to choose and implement easier and more understandable methods for disease and disease management, to repeat geriatric evaluations at regular intervals, and to take initiatives to increase social network interactions.