Health management, life course experiences and social support among older adults with diabetes and hypertension in community settings
Paper Details
Health management, life course experiences and social support among older adults with diabetes and hypertension in community settings
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among older adults presents significant challenges in community and resource-limited settings. This paper aimed to examine the relationships among life course experiences, health management practices, and social support in shaping the well-being of older adults in Dapitan City, Philippines. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed, integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Results indicated that the majority of participants demonstrated moderate to high levels of health management and social support. Life course experiences showed significant associations with coping mechanisms, health condition, socio-cultural engagement, and health management practices. Moderate relationships were observed with nutritional patterns and self-perception, while weaker associations were found in sleep and cognition. Despite these findings, several barriers to effective disease management were identified, including limited access to maintenance medications, insufficient healthcare services in geographically isolated areas, and financial constraints affecting treatment adherence. Qualitative findings further highlighted the importance of family support, cultural beliefs, and faith-related practices in influencing health behaviors and coping strategies. In conclusion, health management among older adults with diabetes and hypertension is shaped by interconnected clinical, social, and experiential factors. Strengthening primary healthcare services, improving access to essential medicines, and supporting family and community-based interventions are essential to enhance health outcomes in similar settings.
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Genelyn S. Viadnes*, 2026. Health management, life course experiences and social support among older adults with diabetes and hypertension in community settings. Int. J. Biosci., 28(4), 164-180.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.