This paper's aim is to explore older peoples' decision making regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and their perceptions and experiences of well‐being.
Qualitative focus groups with 37 volunteers aged over 61 years exploring health and well‐being decision making were held at a community centre in southwest London. Data were content analysed.
Five themes emerged: physical well‐being, impact on activity, emotional issues, community and health services, and keeping positive. A range of CAM was used, most commonly mind/body or physical therapies. The main reason for CAM use was to “keep going” and maintain well‐being. Conventional medicine was perceived as central to well‐being, with CAM used to address its limitations. Decision making was rarely systematic; anecdotal information dominated, and disclosure to conventional practitioners was uncommon. “Keeping going” is important for older people and often promoted by CAM, including manipulative and exercise therapies. Concurrent CAM and conventional medication use, unreliable information and/or insufficient discussion with conventional providers may have safety implications. Healthcare providers should consider exploring CAM use with older people and facilitating access to CAM information.
Asking older people about CAM use may be integral to providing holistic, safe care. CAM use may provide an opportunity for health promotion in older people by encouraging self‐management and the taking of responsibility for their own health.
Although up to half of older people in the UK may use CAM, there is little information on their decision‐making processes.
