Objective To improve self-management ability of elderly patients with early-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN), and to delay the progression of the disease. Methods Sixty elderly patients with early-stage DN were randomized into a control group and an intervention group of 30, receiving either usual care or staged multidisciplinary management. The effect was evaluated after 3 months of intervention. Results After 3-month intervention,the fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, glomerular filtration rate, and the scores of self-management ability, quality of life and social support were significantly better, whereas the score of depression was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (P<0.01 for all). Conclusion Staged multidisciplinary management can improve disease-related indicators, enhance self-management ability, ameliorate depression, and enhance quality of life of elderly patients with early-stage DN.