AIMS: This study investigated the current status of intrinsic capacity and self-management abilities and analyzed the factors influencing the self-management abilities of older adults experiencing intrinsic capacity decline. METHODS: We included a sample of 382 older adults, with an average age of 72.92 ± 6.81 years, exhibiting intrinsic capacity decline in 38 communities in China. Questionnaires were administered using the sociodemographic questionnaire, the intrinsic capacity questionnaire, the social support scale, the self-rated health item, the eHealth literacy scale, and the self-management ability scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 43.5% of older people had impairments in three of the five dimensions of intrinsic capacity, the most significant proportion. The self-management ability score of older adults experiencing intrinsic capacity decline was 67.05 ± 12.53 out of 100. There were significant associations between age, perceived social support, and intrinsic ability composite score with self-management abilities (Age: = -0.263; < 0.001; social support: = 0.291; < 0.001; intrinsic capacity composite score: = 0.179; < 0.001). Higher levels of self-management ability were associated with more effective maintenance of psychological capacity, regardless of the type of older adults experiencing IC decline (all < 0.05). For example, among older adults experiencing cognitive decline, maintaining psychological function was positively associated with self-management abilities ( = 0.294; < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The highest prevalence of concurrent impairments across three dimensions of intrinsic capacity was observed among older adults experiencing diminished intrinsic capacity. Fostering self-management abilities through social support and mental health interventions may benefit people experiencing intrinsic capacity decline.