Contributions of Children to the Care of Adults With Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of child caregivers among adults with diabetes and the type of assistance they provide. In this exploratory descriptive study, 51 diverse adults with diabetes from 9 clinics in 3 states completed a survey in English or Spanish about themselves and their child caregivers. Topics addressed in the survey were the duration and types of assistance, the children's education about diabetes, and the impact of children's caregiving on attendance at school and work. The occurrence of child caregiving for adults with diabetes was 15.7%, and greatest for Hispanics. Most adults and caregivers were female; 14 adults reported more than 1 child caregiver. The children ranged in age from 5 to 18 years and began caregiving at a mean age of 11. Children provided from 1 to 10 services, including planning meals, drawing up or administering medications, testing blood glucose, interpreting results, and transporting. Most children provided care several times a week, and nearly half had no education about diabetes care. Children of both sexes and 4 racial/ethnic groups provided a broad range of services to adults with diabetes with little preparation. Diabetes educators should consider if and how they can assess and include child caregivers in diabetes education.