The objective of this protocol is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of 8 sessions of in-home, telephone-delivered, culturally-modified, manualized diabetes-modified, behavioral activation treatment (Home DM-BAT) delivered by trained diabetes nurse educators among low income, ethnic minority seniors with poorly controlled T2DM.

The aims of this randomized controlled efficacy trial are:

Aim: To test the efficacy of Home DM-BAT on glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c).

Hypothesis: Low income, minority seniors with poorly controlled T2DM randomized to Home DM-BAT will have significantly greater improvements in glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c) at 12 months of follow-up compared to the control group (in-home, telephone-delivered supportive therapy - ST).

Study Overview. Two hundred participants will be randomized 1:1 to Home DM-BAT (n=100) or the control condition (n=100) to control for attention. The intervention includes 8 weekly intervention sessions and 10 monthly booster sessions. Primary analyses will be conducted at 12 months post-randomization.

Description of the Home DM-BAT Intervention: A trained nurse educator will deliver the manualized Home DM-BAT intervention via telephone. Subjects will receive 8-weekly sessions of behavioral activation and monthly booster sessions from months 3-12. All intervention sessions will be delivered by telephone and will include a previously tested diabetes education/skills training intervention based on ADA guidelines, diabetes-tailored behavioral activation and will address social determinant of health issues.

Control Group (GHE+ST): Patients randomized to the control group will receive in-home, telephone-delivered 8-weekly sessions of combined general health education (GHE) and supportive therapy (ST) and monthly booster sessions from months 3-12 to match the intervention group for both content and attention. The control group will not receive diabetes education, address social determinants of health, or behavioral activation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age >=65 years of age;
2. Self-identified as Black/African American or Hispanic;
3. Clinical diagnosis of T2DM verified by an HbA1c >=8% at the screening assessment;
4. Able to communicate in English or Spanish; and
5. Resident of independent, subsidized, assisted senior housing facility or community dwelling elderly adults in the greater Milwaukee area and surrounding counties that have high African American/Hispanic populations.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Mental confusion at screening assessment suggesting significant dementia;
2. Participation in other diabetes research;
3. Alcohol or drug abuse/dependency;
4. Active psychosis or acute mental disorder; and
5. Life expectancy <12 months at screening assessment.

At study completion, average of 1 year