ABSTRACT
Objective
To characterise the health profile of community-dwelling older people and identify the domains of the disease self-management process for nursing interventions
Method
Mixed-method study, with 48 participants from Porto, Portugal, between September 2018 and July 2019. A questionnaire was used to assess disease and health-related variables, and a semi-structured interview was also undertaken focused on chronic disease self-management. Qualitative data were submitted to thematic content analysis
Results
93.7% of participants present comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. Three themes emerged from the interviews: Mastery in the management of medications; Difficulty in adopting a stable, healthy behaviour; Importance of a close and trusting relationship with health professionals
Conclusion
The self-management needs of older people that can be diminished through nursing interventions were highlighted, emphasising areas to be intervened and strategies to be used in programmes aimed at promoting the health literacy of this population
DESCRIPTORS
Elderly; Self-management; Chronic Disease; Ageing; Nursing