Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects about 85%–95% of people with diabetes in developed
countries and the percentage is even higher in developing countries. McGhee
et al showed that the prevalence of diabetes rises with age, and estimated that 50%
of patients with diabetes mellitus in Hong Kong are aged 65 years or older. Type 2
diabetes is therefore a growing problem in the older population, resulting in a significant
burden for the individual, families, and society. There is evidence that better
self-management can improve the health outcomes of patients with diabetes.