Objective: To explore the self-management status and social support for the elderly patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DF), and to provide scientific evidences to improve patient’s health management outcomes. Methods: A purposive sampling approach was applied to recruit 15 elderly DF patients, who were treated in the DF center of the 454th Hospital of Chinese PLA, Nanjing, during December 2013 and January 2014. In-depth interviews were conducted. Results: Self-monitor of blood glucose was available, but self-management capacity of diet control, foot care and physical activity intervention were inadequate, and the needs for the long term care (LTC) was not met yet. Conclusion: For the elderly DF patients, integrated self-management skills should be polished, professional health care services should be forwarded to the community, and the community LTC system also should be strengthened to improve the elderly patients’ health outcomes.