Objective To explore the effect of timeliness motivation theory-based continuing care on the self-care ability and healthy behavior in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 202 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in our hospital were selected,and were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table, with 101 cases in each group. The control group were given healthy related education during hospitalization , and post-discharge telephone follow-up every month, lasting 10~15min each time.The observation group were additionally given timeliness motivation theory-based continuing care by telephone follow-up each month , including emotional arousal , need motivation , examples stimulating and benefit motivation, lasting 6 months. Their self-care ability and healthy behavior in the two groups were compared. Result The self-care ability in the observation group was significantly significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.001), and had significantly much more healthy behaviors than the latter (P < 0.001). Conclusion Timeliness motivation theory-based continuing care can improve the self-care ability and healthy behavior in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.