Exploring illness perceptions of multimorbidity among community-dwelling older adults: a mixed methods study

Knowledge and Health Beliefs About Dementia Prevention Among Chinese Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

Self-management interventions are becoming more prevalent for individuals aiming to prevent dementia. However, the effectiveness of this approach is heavily shaped by health beliefs. This study seeks to investigate Chinese older adults' knowledge and health beliefs about dementia prevention and examine the unique characteristics and transformations of Chinese culture with their associated implications. These insights aim to inform the development of more effective prevention strategies. Using the informed grounded theory approach, guided by the health belief model, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 42 older adults. The conceptual framework centered on three themes, allowing the identification of both barriers and facilitators to dementia prevention. These factors reflect the cultural influences on dementia prevention, including positive cultural transformations: the decline of traditional superstitions, the emergence of modern scientific thinking, the shift from negative to positive aging paradigms, and the growing acceptance of digital technologies among older adults. At the same time, traditional cultural elements-such as aversion to illness, fear of death, and the importance placed on "mianzi"-persist in reinforcing the stigma associated with dementia. Moreover, collectivist values exert dual influences, both facilitating and inhibiting individual health behaviors.

Living with Multimorbidity through Time: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Longitudinal Evidence

The growing prevalence of multimorbidity places a strain on primary healthcare globally. The current study's aim was to identify, appraise, and synthesize published qualitative longitudinal research on individuals' experiences concerning living with multimorbidity through time. The authors searched two electronic databases, MEDLINE and CINAHL, and performed an additional literature search in Google Scholar. A thematic synthesis approach was used to analyze the qualitative data across the studies. A total of 10 reports that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the synthesis. Five descriptive themes emerged from the analysis of the living experiences of individuals with multimorbidity: (1) perceiving multimorbidity, (2) managing chronic conditions, (3) emotional struggles in everyday life with multimorbidity, (4) interactions with the healthcare system and healthcare professionals, and (5) family support. This meta-synthesis provides insights into the diverse perceptions of multimorbidity and how individuals cope with their chronic conditions in their daily lives. The findings highlight the importance of establishing effective patient-centered care that acknowledges and supports the multifaceted needs of this population. It is also recommended to involve a psychological component in the care of individuals with multimorbidity, as part of a collaborative and interprofessional approach.