Diabetes is a disease that challenges all people to learn, change, and develop. Older people can be taught about diabetes from a human development perspective using Erikson's psychosocial theory of development. Developmental changes in appearance, bodily function, and health status confront almost all persons in later years. If an individual does not have coping resources or a history of successful coping, changes in health status during aging can constitute serious crises. It is important to look at and work with individuals from the context of their entire life cycle rather than in a fixed period of time. The diabetes healthcare team can make more effective use of the theories of human development and aging to enhance the effectiveness of diabetes education for the elderly.
