This study pursues an interactionist interpretation of illness behavior among physically impaired older people, age 55-84. The attribution of illness (viewing ambiguous symptoms as caused by an underlying physical condition), the expression of subjective health experiences to physicians and significant others, and the labeling of oneself as ill in differing situations are viewed as ploys to manage an impaired-health identity in relation to both sick role identity (self-concept) and sick role advantages (conceptualized in terms of social role relinquishment, legitimated dependency and sick role support). Analysis indicates that sick role identity predicts illness expression to significant others only. Sick role advantages, especially social support, are moderately predictive of illness management in general. Some of the problems and dilemmas of managing illness in relation to identity are discussed.