Minor ailments in older adults A study of health-related behaviors of seniors in response to minor health conditions

With the global senior population expected to double by 2050 -- and nearly one in four Canadians projected to be 65 or older by 2040 -- understanding how older adults manage minor health conditions is increasingly vital. This study explored the prevalence, symptom burden, and treatment responses for 30 common ailments in older adults, and assessed their attitudes toward self-care and over-the-counter medication use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 356 seniors (65+) in Saskatchewan. Participants completed a 15-minute questionnaire assessing symptoms experienced in the prior two weeks, associated pain and disruption (7-point Likert scale), and treatment actions (e.g., watchful waiting, non-pharmacologic strategies, OTC use, or healthcare consultation). Respondents also completed the PSM-OTC scale, measuring self-efficacy, OTC awareness, and purchasing behavior. Results showed that participants reported an average of 6.2 ailments over two weeks. Back pain (46.9%), joint pain (44.4%), and insomnia (38.5%) were most common. Chronic symptoms such as joint pain and erectile dysfunction had the highest persistence rates (98.7% and 97.7%, respectively). OTC medications were the most frequently used management strategy, particularly for headache (63.2%) and heartburn (61.2%), while watchful waiting was common for tinnitus (80.5%) and loneliness (74.2%). Satisfaction and confidence in self-management were highest for acute conditions like headache and cold sores, and lowest for chronic or sensitive issues like erectile dysfunction and tinnitus. PSM-OTC scores were significantly higher among frequent OTC users and female participants (p < 0.001), suggesting strong health autonomy and informed decision-making. High scores on subscales such as purchase involvement and risk awareness highlighted a conscious and responsible approach to self-care. These findings underscore the critical need to support self-management in older adults by improving access to reliable information, encouraging pharmacist engagement, and addressing gaps in care for persistent or sensitive symptoms. This can enhance quality of life and reduce the burden on formal healthcare systems.