To investigate the status of self-management and family support among elderly diabetic patients in community.

Eight elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were interviewed in Xietu Community Health Service Center in Shanghai by semi-structured interviews from March 1st to March 15th, 2022. The interview outline focused on the impact of the disease on the patients' daily life, the status of disease self-management, and the support provided by their family. The contents of interviews were analyzed and extracted by Colaizz 7-step analysis method.

Of the 8 interviewees, there were 2 males and 6 females, aged (75.25±3.01)years old, with a disease course of (17.50±8.50)years. The interviews showed that there were three themes in the area of family support: difficulties in disease management (in terms of diet, exercise, medication, disease surveillance, health knowledge and quitting unhealthy habits), helpfulness of family support in management of above behaviors, differences between family support and support from others (including eating habits, information sharing, emotional support, patient trust, and continuity of support).

The elderly diabetic patients in the community have some awareness of health management, but there is still much room for improvement. The supervision and support from family members can help patients improve their self-management and quality of life.

Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Family support; Self-management; Qualitative study