According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) there were 37.3 million Americans with diabetes in 2019, or 11.3% of the population. Because diabetes increases with age, the percent of those over age 65 with diabetes was even higher-an astounding 29.2%. So, it is not a surprise that diabetes is the most common diagnosis among home care patients. Diabetes affects all age groups and races, and every home care provider will encounter patients with diabetes, perhaps even daily. That is why I was delighted to receive an update on insulin therapy by author and pharmacist Marla Hayes.
Research and development of new insulin products and devices has resulted in a variety of treatment options. Insulin can now be delivered by traditional injections, inhalation, or by continuous insulin infusion via an insulin pump. New insulin products make it easier to mimic the way insulin is naturally secreted in people without diabetes, adding more lifestyle flexibility for those with diabetes. Many of you will remember when most people being treated with insulin were on a mixture of regular and NPH insulin. Onset and peak times varied widely, making meal planning difficult and hypoglycemia challenging to avoid, so I'm also happy to announce the Focus on Diabetes column is back this issue with a thorough update on prevention and treatment of hypoglycemia by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Lorraine Porcaro.
I thank both these diabetes care and education experts for sharing their expertise with Home Healthcare Now readers. Enjoy these and many more articles and columns in this issue.
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