A Qualitative Investigation on Chronic Disease Management and Prevention Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose To qualitatively describe experiences of chronic disease management and prevention in older adults (age ≥65 years) during COVID-19. Approach Qualitative descriptive approach. Setting Data collected online via telephone and video-conferencing technologies to participants located in various cities in British Columbia, Canada. Data analyzed by researchers in the cities of Vancouver and Kelowna in British Columbia. Participants Twenty-four community-living older adults (n = 24) age ≥65 years. Methods Each participant was invited to complete a 30-to-45-minute virtual, semi-structured, one-on-one interview with a trained interviewer. Interview questions focused on experiences managing health prior to COVID-19 and transitioning experiences of practicing health management and prevention strategies during COVID-19. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results The sample’s mean age was 73.4 years (58% female) with 75% reporting two or more chronic conditions (12.5% none, 12.5% one). Three themes described participants’ strategies for chronic disease management and prevention: (1) having a purpose to optimize health (i.e., managing health challenges and maintaining independence); (2) internal self-control strategies (i.e., self-accountability and adaptability); and (3) external support strategies (i.e., informational support, motivational support, and emotional support). Conclusion Helping older adults identify purposes for their own health management, developing internal control strategies, and optimizing social support opportunities may be important person-centred strategies for chronic disease management and prevention during unprecedented times like COVID-19.