The psychosocial aspects of diabetes care. Using collaborative care to manage older adults with diabetes.

The need for a collaborative care management approach that emphasizes a partnership between older adults and health care professionals is addressed, which recognizes that patients are the experts about their lives and primary care providers are experts about diabetes.

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires managing medications, adhering to dietary requirements, and engaging in age- and abilities appropriate physical activity. This article addresses the need for a collaborative care management approach that emphasizes a partnership between older adults and health care professionals. Such an approach recognizes that patients are the experts about their lives and primary care providers are experts about diabetes. A collaborative care management approach can help primary care providers assist older adults to address psychosocial concerns, cognitive functioning, and depression. We conclude this article with a brief discussion regarding a transdisciplinary approach that takes the collaborative care management approach one step further.