The experience of older adults living with multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic: A phenomenological study

<b>Purposes:</b> We explored the experience of older adults living with multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic. <b>Methods:</b> Using a phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 participants aged 50 years and older living with multimorbidity. Data collection and analysis were iterative using a thematic approach. We explored participants' overall pandemic experience as well as querying specifically about pandemic experiences of social isolation, coping and resilience. <b>Results:</b> We describe our findings according to four main themes: (1) Lives disrupted; (2) Diverse social isolation experiences; (3) Coping through seeking solitary and group activities; and (4) Individual ways of enacting resilience and the role of health care to build resilience. <b>Conclusion:</b> We found the experiences of older adults living with multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic were characterized by disruption. When queried social isolation was shared as a prominent concern. We identified the creativity with which participants coped with social isolation and the resilience they marshaled. This study will be used to inform interventions to mitigate social isolation and its effects in a post-pandemic world.