Pampering older people with diabetes in Sundanese culture: A qualitative study

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine Sundanese family habits in caring for older people with diabetes in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. Method: This study using a qualitative phenomenological method, via in-depth interviews, in which the saturation point was reached at the ten participants. The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, maleficence, and justice were applied. Results: This study identified two main topics: first, family ability to perform family health tasks and second, the different types of family cultures that influence taking care of the health of older people, which were reflected through several sub-topics, namely, pampering the parents, doing everything they asked, and controlling all their activities. The habits of pampering and assenting to the wishes of older people with diabetes are highly risky, as, when they are food-related, they can increase blood glucose. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that the family habits which highly risky to increase blood glucose older people must be changed through negotiation efforts and cultural restructuring, such that the treatments provided are in accordance with the diabetes management pattern. The results of the present study are useful in improving health services for older people with diabetes in the multicultural country of Indonesia.