“So I call myself healthy”: a qualitative study on health perceptions and healthcare experiences in older adults with multimorbidity

Older individuals with multiple conditions tend to identify as non-sick and strive for autonomy. Engaging with healthcare can pose a threat to both their autonomy and their non-sick identity. They desire healthcare that works holistically, focuses on health and function, and avoids stigmatizing terms like multimorbidity. We recommend that policymakers and healthcare providers integrate this understanding and support for autonomy and holistic approaches into their efforts to deliver person-centered care.