Peer Support Program to Improve Self-Care for Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Kentucky Appalachia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the impact of peer coaching models on self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus T2DM in older adults living in rural Appalachian communities of Kentucky. The study aims to determine whether peer coaching helps improve diabetes care and which aspects of the peer support are most effective. The trial involves peer coaches who have managed their diabetes well and peer participants with unmanaged diabetes, focusing on social support and self-care behaviors. The study has four groups based on how peer participants are paired with coaches and the frequency of contact participants either self-select or are matched with a peer coach, with contact occurring weekly or every two weeks. Peer coaches receive training before starting their role. The intervention lasts for six months with ongoing communication and goal-setting between participants and coaches. Stakeholders will be engaged before, during, and after the intervention to provide feedback and enhance understanding. Participants will be assessed at baseline, at the end of the six-month intervention, and again at three and six months post-intervention. Researchers will collect measures including blood sugar control HbA1c, diabetes empowerment, quality of life, social support, depression, diabetes-related problems, self-management behaviors, daily living activities, social networks, diabetes knowledge, problem-solving skills, medication adherence, and frailty. Records of peer contact and coaching topics will be kept to analyze the interventions effectiveness. The total study duration for participants spans at least one year including follow-up assessments.

OASIS: Peer Support for T2DM in Appalachia (Peer Participant)