Home Visits

Home Visits

Home visits in diabetes care are important because they bring healthcare closer to patients, strengthen caregiver support, and allow providers to observe real-life challenges that may not appear in clinic visits. They help improve adherence, education, and overall outcomes. Patients and caregivers often face challenges such as limited knowledge about diabetes, difficulties with insulin administration and glucose monitoring, financial barriers to accessing medication and supplies, poor dietary practices, caregiver stress, and problems like lack of refrigeration for insulin. During a home visit, healthcare workers should assess medication use and storage, blood glucose monitoring practices, diet and lifestyle habits, knowledge and skills of both patients and caregivers, family support, and the overall safety of the home environment. Addressing these challenges involves providing practical education, linking families to affordable resources and support groups, offering guidance on safe storage and meal planning, and supporting caregivers through training and counseling. A follow-up plan should then be made, including routine phone calls or repeat visits, clear health goals, and, where possible, involvement of a multidisciplinary team to ensure continuous support and improved diabetes management.