Older couple-based studies on collaborative management of chronic diseases: basic theory and findings

Abstract

China's limited community medical resources cannot meet the needs of chronic disease prevention and treatment due to the rapidly growing ageing population.The improvement and long-term maintenance of patient's self-management is essential for chronic disease management.In view of chronic disease management having a characteristic of being carried out in the family for a long time in recent years, it has been proposed that the key role of spouse in the management of chronic disease should not be underestimated.This article reviews the epidemiological evidence, theoretical foundations and interventional findings of elderly couples' collaborative management with chronic diseases, aiming to provide the evidence for efficiently conducting chronic disease management for community-dwelling older adults. Key words: Spouses; Chronic disease; Disease management; Lifestyle