2046-P: Confidence as a Catalyst: Improving Diabetes Self-Management among Older Adults

Introduction and Objective: Older adults living with diabetes face unique challenges in managing their condition at home. These factors often lead to poor self-management and higher risk of hospitalization within 30-60 days post-discharge. Our project implements an age-friendly diabetes care model that prioritizes patient confidence in self-management as a key driver of improved outcomes. When patients feel capable of managing their care, they are more likely to adhere to treatment, maintain stability, and avoid preventable complications. Methods: This project uses a quality improvement design to implement a Diabetes Self-management, Education and Support (DSMES) care model in the home setting. Eligible participants included older adults (≥65 years) with diabetes recently discharged from acute care or referred by a community health team member. The model is delivered by an interdisciplinary team through structured home visits over a 30-60 day period. Key components include individualized goal-setting, medication review, cognitive and functional assessments, and confidence-building strategies. Data was collected on patient-reported confidence in diabetes self-care and clinical outcomes such as hospital readmissions. Descriptive and comparative analyses evaluates changes in self-management confidence and associated outcomes. Results: Implementation of this diabetes care model leads to measurable improvements in patient-reported confidence in diabetes self-management from baseline scores as well as a reduction in hospital readmissions within 30-60 days post-discharge. Analyses examine correlations between confidence scores and clinical outcomes to assess the impact of self-management as a driver of reduced acute care utilization. Conclusion: A DSMES diabetes care model in the home setting will improve self-management confidence and reduce hospital readmissions among older adults. Integrating the DSMES framework with tailored education offers a scalable approach to enhance outcomes during the post-discharge period. Disclosure R. Thompson: None. V. Bouhairie: Speaker's Bureau; Current; Sanofi. Stock/Shareholder; Current; Novo Nordisk. Speaker's Bureau; Current; American Diabetes Association. Stock/Shareholder; Current; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. K.G. Lavergne: None.