Characteristics Of Older Women Research Articles

Phase Angle and Impedance Ratio as Indicators of Physical Function and Fear of Falling in Older Adult Women: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Older adults experience a significant decline in muscle integrity and function with aging. Early detection of decreased muscle quality can pave the way for interventions to mitigate the progression of age-related physical declines. Phase angle (PhA) and impedance ratio (IR) are measures of muscle integrity, which can be assessed quickly via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and may be indicative of physical function. This study aimed to characterize the relationships among handgrip strength (HGS), sit-to-stand (STS), BTrackS balance scores, fear of falling (evaluated using the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International [Short FES-I]), and IR among community-dwelling older adult women classified as having a low or high PhA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 85 older women (mean age 75.0, SD 7.2 years; mean weight 71.0, SD 15.0 kg; mean height 162.6, SD 6.1 cm). To examine the influence of PhA on performance measures, participants were divided into 2 PhA groups: high (>4.1°; n=56) and low (≤4.1°; n=29). Data were nonnormative; hence, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate between-group differences, and Kendall τ coefficients were used to determine the partial correlations. The low PhA group had a significantly higher IR (mean 0.85, SD 0.03) than the high PhA group (mean 0.81, SD 0.03; r=.92; P<.001). The high PhA group had superior HGS (mean 21.4, SD 6.2 kg; P=.007; r=0.36), BTrackS balance scores (mean 26.6, SD 9.5 cm; P=.03; r=0.30), and STS scores (mean 16.0, SD 5.5; P<.001; r=0.49) than the low PhA group (mean HGS 17.6, SD 4.7 kg; mean BTrackS balance score 37.1, SD 21.1 cm; mean STS score 10.7, SD 6.2). Both PhA and IR were significantly correlated with HGS and BTrackS balance, STS, and Short FES-I scores (P<.05). However, on adjusting for the whole sample's age, only PhA was strongly correlated with HGS (τb=0.75; P=.003) and STS scores (τb=0.76; P=.002). Short FES-I scores were moderately correlated with IR (τb=0.46; P=.07) after controlling for age. No significant between-group differences were observed for height, weight, or BMI. PhA and IR are associated with physical function and the fear of falling in older women. However, only PhA was significantly associated with physical function (HGS and STS) independent of age. Conversely, only IR was significantly associated with the fear of falling. Diminished physical function and increased IR appear to be characteristics of older women with a PhA of ≤4.1°. These findings suggest that PhA and IR measured through BIA together may serve as a valuable tool for early identification of older women at the risk of functional decline and a heightened fear of falling.

Physical, Cognitive and Dietary Characteristics of Older Women with Declines in Balance and Walking Ability

Physical, Cognitive and Dietary Characteristics of Older Women with Declines in Balance and Walking Ability

Abstract P4-11-04: Palliative care and older women with advanced breast cancer in Mexico

Abstract Background: Mexico is an upper-middle income country, as other developing regions, there is an accelerated aging of the population that will double the absolute number of new breast cancer (BC) cases by 2035. Unfortunately, the incidence of stage III and IV in women older than 65 years old represented 45% of new cases (higher than high-income regions); also, 21% had diabetes, 41.1% hypertension and 71% overweight/obese. These factors make our older adults patients with BC a high-risk population of recurrence and dead from disease. Objective: Describe the characteristics of older women with BC that received palliative care in a multidisciplinary setting. Patients and Methods:A cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive of 178 patients with advanced breast cancer, older than 65 years from our data based, that were referred to palliative service during 2010-2016 at National Cancer Institute, Mexico. Statistical analysis was done with STATA V12.0. We described clinical, pathological and sociodemographic characteristics of this older women with advanced BC and analyzed the risk factors that influence dead. Approval from IRB was obtained. Results:The median age was 75 years old (range 69-82), 71(41%) was widows, 51(29%) had none education, 93(52%) had elementary school. Highlights that 93 (52%) of the patients evaluated had any income source. Diabetes was present in 43(24%), hypertension in 81 (46%) and cardiopathy in 17(10%) of cases. ECOG-2 were 58 (33%) patients, ECOG-3 was in 47 (26%)patients and ECOG-4 was reported in 19 (11%). None patient had geriatric assessment. Affected metastasis sites were bone 90 (51%), lung 66 (37%), central nervous system 31 (17%), liver 27 (15%). 69 (62%) patients had hormonal receptor positive, 17 (15%) triple negative, 12 (11%) HER2positive and 13(12%) of the cases were triple positive, 41 (74%) patients had Ki-67 higher than 50%. Polypharmacy was identified in 77 (43%) of the patients. The median survival after the admission in the palliative service was 2 months (IQR 0-10). After a logistic regression univariate Ki-67&amp;gt;20% (OR 10.25), triple negative (OR 1.5), HER2 positive (OR 2.3), influence negative survival. Conclusions: Management of BC in the elderly is complex. Our data show that we have highly vulnerable population. Additionally, we found an unfortunate late reference to palliative care services that limited the impact of the multidisciplinary approach. We need to identify the barriers that influence this delay. Health care provides have a challenge in early reference of older women with advanced breast cancer patients to the palliative care and need to think in integrate to the multidisciplinary team a geriatrician with oncology perspective. Citation Format: Cabrera-Galeana P, Sánchez N, Verastegui E, Rodriguez C, Bargallo E, Monreal E, Allende S. Palliative care and older women with advanced breast cancer in Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-04.

‘Crafting a way forward’: online participation, craftivism and civic engagement in Ravelry’s Pussyhat Project group

ABSTRACT A powerful visual symbol of social protest and a success story of online organizing, the Pussyhat is a prominent illustration of the revival of craftivism in the current political climate. Analyzing the activity of the Pussyhat Project group within the online craft community Ravelry, this article aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of emerging practices of civic expression and participation, and the ways in which online participation might reflect and support these practices. Our analysis reveals the magnitude and particular characteristics of older women’s civic engagement, the function of craft as a gateway to civic expression and participation, and the significance of the online community as a source of practical and socioemotional support. This research thus sheds important light on evolving notions of activism and civic engagement in the digital age and contributes to a better understanding of the participatory practices of older women in interest-based online spaces.

Prevalence of Concurrent Prescription Opioid and Hazardous Alcohol Use Among Older Women: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study of Community Members.

Concurrent use of prescription medications and alcohol is prevalent among older adults and impacts women more than men, however little is known about characteristics of older women who use both. The current analysis aims to evaluate those characteristics. Participants were recruited through HealthStreet, an outreach program. Community health workers (CHWs) assess health needs and concerns among community members. CHWs collect demographic, substance use, and other health data from participants. Female participants (≥ 50years) interviewed November 2011-November 2017 were included and stratified into four groups: neither prescription opioid nor hazardous alcohol use (three or more drinks in a single day), hazardous alcohol use only, prescription opioid use only, and both prescription opioid and hazardous alcohol use. Chi square and ANOVA tests were used to compare these groups. Among the 2370 women (53% black; mean age 61years), 70% reported neither prescription opioid nor hazardous alcohol use, 12% reported hazardous alcohol use only, 15% reported prescription opioid use only, and 3% reported use of both in the past 30days. Concurrent prescription opioid and hazardous alcohol use were significantly associated with comorbid depression and anxiety (p < 0.0001); women who endorsed prescription opioid use only were significantly more likely to report a history of back pain, cancer, or diabetes compared to their counterparts (p < 0.0001). Nearly a third of women reported prescription opioid and/or hazardous alcohol use in the past 30days. Because the risk and consequences of concomitant alcohol and opioid use increase with age, interventions tailored to women are needed.

Balance training affects the psychophysiological characteristics of older women

Balance training affects the psychophysiological characteristics of older women

Pain of osteoarthritis in women: environment research (phase II)

Persistent pain, a characteristic of osteoarthritis (OA), affects many older adults. There is a crucial need to better understand nonpharmacological management strategies for OA pain, particularly for older women who use more analgesics and experience a higher risk for polypharmacy than men. One such strategy, distraction, can be facilitated through engaging multisensory stimuli in outdoor environments abundant with nature. The aim for this study, part of a larger mixed-methods study, was to better understand the relationship between characteristics of older women with/without OA and the amount of time they spend outdoors. Participants were female independent-living residents (N=273, mean age =81.82+/-8.105) at four retirement community sites. Sites were selected for specific outdoor characteristics related to nature. Symptom Management Theory guided development of a 64-item self-administered survey. The anonymous survey included investigator-developed and well-established items. Fifty-one percent of participants reported provider-diagnosed OA. Spearman's rho was used to examine relationships between having or not having OA and age, bodily pain (BP), OA pain (Arthritis Impact Measure-2 Short Form; AIMS2), and time outdoors (number of days/week and usual time/day) in women with/without OA. Age was not related to OA diagnosis (r=.062, p=.325). Greater pain--both BP (r=-.309, p=.000) and arthritis-specific pain (AIMS2, symptom subscale) (r=.483, p=.000)--were significantly related to OA. Women with OA spent significantly fewer days outside (r=-.155, p=.014), but similar amounts of time on days when outside (r=-.037, p=.560). Women with greater BP spent significantly less time outside, both in terms of days/week (r=.251, p=.000) and usual time/day (r=.240, p=.000). The findings help to identify differences between women with/without OA, which will inform future research on nonpharmacological pain management strategies in outdoor environments. Potential future application of this research includes evidence-based design recommendations for senior living environments. Funding: NCRR Grant TL1 RR 025016 and the Hester McLaws Nursing Scholarship. Persistent pain, a characteristic of osteoarthritis (OA), affects many older adults. There is a crucial need to better understand nonpharmacological management strategies for OA pain, particularly for older women who use more analgesics and experience a higher risk for polypharmacy than men. One such strategy, distraction, can be facilitated through engaging multisensory stimuli in outdoor environments abundant with nature. The aim for this study, part of a larger mixed-methods study, was to better understand the relationship between characteristics of older women with/without OA and the amount of time they spend outdoors. Participants were female independent-living residents (N=273, mean age =81.82+/-8.105) at four retirement community sites. Sites were selected for specific outdoor characteristics related to nature. Symptom Management Theory guided development of a 64-item self-administered survey. The anonymous survey included investigator-developed and well-established items. Fifty-one percent of participants reported provider-diagnosed OA. Spearman's rho was used to examine relationships between having or not having OA and age, bodily pain (BP), OA pain (Arthritis Impact Measure-2 Short Form; AIMS2), and time outdoors (number of days/week and usual time/day) in women with/without OA. Age was not related to OA diagnosis (r=.062, p=.325). Greater pain--both BP (r=-.309, p=.000) and arthritis-specific pain (AIMS2, symptom subscale) (r=.483, p=.000)--were significantly related to OA. Women with OA spent significantly fewer days outside (r=-.155, p=.014), but similar amounts of time on days when outside (r=-.037, p=.560). Women with greater BP spent significantly less time outside, both in terms of days/week (r=.251, p=.000) and usual time/day (r=.240, p=.000). The findings help to identify differences between women with/without OA, which will inform future research on nonpharmacological pain management strategies in outdoor environments. Potential future application of this research includes evidence-based design recommendations for senior living environments. Funding: NCRR Grant TL1 RR 025016 and the Hester McLaws Nursing Scholarship.

Transcending the Reification of “Old Women's” Bodies: Some Sociological Theorists' Views∗

Stereotypical images of older women's bodies are often produced within the field of gerontology. Sociological theorists' views offer an explanation as to the role that society and groups play in creating these negative images. Works by theorists such as Marx and Engels, De Beauvoir, Goffman, Bourdieu, Foucault, and Butler offer varied explanations as to how society creates these images and the functions these images hold in society. By reviewing the meaning of these socially constructed images, more is revealed about society's attitudes towards aging and gender rather than individual characteristics of older women. As gerontologists we must uncover the way negative stereotypes are created and consider how we can change them to improve the way older women's bodies are viewed in society.

NETWORKING

Employment Characteristics of Older Women. This is the title of an article by Diane E. Herz in the September 1988 issue of Monthly Labor Review. It examines the employment characteristics of older women in America in 1987.