A qualitative systematic review on the experiences of self-management in community-dwelling older women living with chronic illnesses.

Objectives The aim of this review is to critically appraise, synthesize and present the best available evidence related to the experiences of self-management among community-dwelling older women with chronic illnesses, specifically non-communicable illnesses which include cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM) and arthritis. Specific questions on their experiences include the following: -What does living with chronic illnesses mean to community-dwelling older women? -What self-management strategies do community dwelling older women with chronic illnesses use? -What issues do community-dwelling older women with chronic illnesses face in self-management? -What feelings do community-dwelling older women with chronic illnesses have about self-management? INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants The review will consider publications that include all older women who have the following characteristics: -Age sixty-five years and above (with no limitations to any specific age groups within this population) -Live in their own community dwelling -Community setting is rural, suburban or urban -May live alone or with others (i.e. families) -Have comorbidity/comorbidities, defined as having at least two non-cancer chronic illnesses, which include the following four common chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM) and arthritis. The rationale for excluding cancer as a chronic illness is to draw focus on the experience of living with non-cancer chronic illnesses, which likely present challenges different from cancer. -Have chronic illnesses for a minimum duration of one year Phenomenon of interest The review will consider studies that investigate the experiences of self-management among community-dwelling older women with chronic illnesses.