Managing diabetes in the home: a model approach.

The Diabetes Home Care Program has been an effective means of providing diabetes management and education to homebound, usually elderly, persons with diabetes. The program appears to be cost effective, the average cost per patient is less than one day of hospitalization. Reimbursement of the program has been good as patients have qualified for reimbursement under Medicare guidelines. Improved diabetes control has been demonstrated following the home care intervention. Since elderly persons with diabetes are frequently referred for home care, it would be appropriate for home care agencies to provide specialized care for persons with diabetes. The Diabetes Home Care Program can serve as a model of diabetes management and education for homebound persons with diabetes.