Health Management Occupations During COVID-19: Experiences of Older African Americans With Multimorbidity

Abstract

Older African Americans with multimorbidity are at an especially high risk of adverse outcomes due to synergistic risks conferred by age, chronic disease burden and social determinants of health. Chronic condition self-management is one way older African Americans can use health management occupations and exercise agency to reduce their risk of becoming severely ill, and during the ongoing pandemic, of COVID-19 infection. The objective of this study was to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped health management occupations of older African Americans. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 African Americans aged 65 and older who reported having two or more chronic conditions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data suggest how key health management occupations (accessing care; managing medications, nutrition, and physical activity; and social and emotional health promotion and maintenance) were utilized and also shaped by the pandemic. Another key finding was perceived benefits of the pandemic on health and well-being.