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

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.