World Diabetes Day 2024

To highlight the growing health hazard of diabetes, the World Health Organisation and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) created World Diabetes Day (WDD) in 1991. World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin in 1922 with Charles Best, and was officially recognised as a United Nations Day in 2006.

WDD has grown into the biggest diabetes awareness campaign in the world, reaching more than 160 countries and 1 billion people. It provides an essential forum for IDF advocacy all year long and functions as a global catalyst to highlight the importance of coordinating efforts to combat diabetes as a major global health concern.

Around one quarter of the people residing in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have diabetes (NDSS, Diabetes management in elderly care). These individuals may have had the illness for a long time and may also be dealing with complications from diabetes and comorbidities. Care is therefore frequently complicated.

The primary goal of diabetes care for elderly residents in residential aged care facilities should be to support their maintenance of the highest possible quality of life. One method for doing this is to monitor blood glucose levels, however this is only one component of a larger treatment strategy. Diabetes treatment necessitates striking a balance between medication, such as insulin and/or pills, physical exercise, and a nutritious diet. A resident’s diabetes may also be impacted by stress, disease, and other comorbidities.

The doctor, the resident, and/or their family must consult in order to customise diabetes care to meet the needs of the residents. To guarantee resident safety and quality of life, this information must be evaluated frequently and any changes must be recorded. (NDSS, Management of Diabetes in Elderly Care)

WDD focuses on a different theme every year. The campaign’s focus is “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.” which involves three key messages:

• Diabetes life: Diabetes can affect every part of a person’s life, often having a negative impact on their well-being.
• Diabetes care: Current diabetes care does not include sufficient support for the person’s well-being.
• Well-being: Support for the person’s well-being should be prioritized in diabetes care.

Discover the range of courses that Altura Learning offers on topic of diabetes here.

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