Learning Objective #1: Describe how minority older adults proactively manage day-to-day life with comorbidity

Learning Objective #2: Explain challenges encountered by minority elders who are faced with multiple chronic health conditions

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Purpose: Uncover how community-dwelling minority elders with comorbidity minimize the negative consequences of their chronic conditions Specific Aims: 1) To identify proactive strategies used by minority elders to cope daily with comorbidity. 2) To uncover how significant others impact minority elders' success in chronic illness management. Methods: This study was conducted using focus group methodology to explore the strategies employed by minority elders (n=29) to manage multiple chronic health conditions. Inclusion criteria were: age > 55; ethnic/racial minority; community dwelling; and have > 2 chronic conditions. Five focus groups were conducted and saturation was achieved. The moderator used a semi-structured discussion guide to promote consistency across groups. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results and Conclusions: Eight key categories of proactive strategies were identified and are listed in descending frequency of reports: dealing with it; engaging in life; exercising; seeking information; relying on God; changing dietary patterns; medicating; and self-monitoring. In addition, focus group discussions uncovered both benefits and challenges related to significant others that impacted their ability to successfully cope. Implications for Advancing the Nursing Research Agenda or Improving Quality of Care: This study provides an insider's view that expands nurses' understanding of how minority elders cope day-to-day with multiple chronic conditions and the role that significant others play in elders' successful coping. In addition, living with chronic illnesses was found to be a highly personal journey and findings point to the importance of models of practice that promote active participation in self-care. Finally, this study will be a basis for the development of an intervention study to facilitate older adults in effective management of their multiple health conditions, since better coping with comorbidity will contribute to the Healthy People 2010 goal of increasing elders' years of functional life (USDHHS, 2001).