Life In Older Women Research Articles

Older women's experiences of suffering from urinary tract infections

To describe and explore older women's experiences of having had repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections among older women. Approximately one-third of very old women suffer from at least one UTI each year. Despite the high incidence of UTI, little is known about the impact of UTI on health and daily life in older women. A qualitative descriptive design. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 20 Swedish women aged 67-96 years who suffered from repeated UTIs the preceding year. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Two main themes were identified: being in a state of manageable suffering and depending on alleviation. Being in a state of manageable suffering was described in terms of experiencing physical and psychological health problems, struggling to deal with the illness and being restricted in daily life. Depending on alleviation was illustrated in terms of having access to relief but also receiving inadequate care. This study demonstrated that UTIs are a serious health problem among older women that not only affects both physical and mental health but also has serious social consequences. The women in this study described the physical and psychological health problems, struggling to deal with the illness, being restricted in daily life, depending on access to relief and receiving inadequate care. It is important to improve the knowledge about how UTI affects the health of older women. This knowledge may help nurses develop strategies to support these women. One important part in the supportive strategies is that nurses can educate these women in self-care.

Predictors of patterns of change in health-related quality of life in older women over 7 years: evidence from a prospective cohort study

the evaluation of the determinants of change over time in health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in older people is limited. This study aims to identify patterns of change in HR-QoL over 7 years and their determinants using data from the British Women's Heart and Health Study, a representative sample of older women (n = 4286). longitudinal latent class analysis was used to identify subpopulations of women with similar HR-QoL trajectories from 1999-2000 to 2007. HR-QoL was measured using the EQ-5D. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to model the association of identified trajectories with baseline predictors after multiple imputation of missing data. four distinct EQ-5D trajectories were suggested: high (19% of women), high decline (22%), intermediate (42%) and low decline (16%). Prevalent arthritis (OR = 13.4; 95% CI: 8.8, 20.5), diabetes (OR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.5, 14.2) and obesity (OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 2.5, 6.0) were the strongest predicting health conditions of adverse changes in HR-QoL and physical activity the strongest predicting lifestyle factor (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 2.0, 3.9). findings suggest that older women without obesity or pre-existing health conditions who undertake more physical activity are more likely to experience high HR-QoL, reinforcing the importance of these factors for healthy ageing.

Sens et pratiques de la grand-maternité : une étude par théorisation ancrée auprès de femmes aînées québécoises

This article sets out to analyze how older women understand grandmotherhood. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 elderly women from Quebec with diverse lives (widowed, married, single, with or without children) drawn from three generations (65-74 years, 75-84 years, 85 years and over) according to principles of qualitative analysis using grounded theory. Based on a constructivist approach, results highlight the evolution of images of grandmotherhood offering the benefit of emotional, playful and comforting roles. This analysis also reveals multiple ways of being a grandmother and commitments that vary according to three principal factors: (1) the personality and life trajectory of the grandmothers; (2) the family situation and role of crisis in the family; and (3) the degree of intimacy with grandchildren. There follows a discussion on the place and role of the family in the lives of older women today.

여성, 할머니 그리고 나이듦의 재현

고령화사회에 진입한 한국사회에서 나이 들어가는 여성의 삶, 나이 든 여성들의 삶을 여성의 눈으로 들여다보는 것은 여성 관객으로서의 노년층을 호명하는 의미가 있다고 본다. 서울국제여성영화제에서 상영한 <할머니와 란제리>(2006), 그리고 이번에 한국에서 <소중한 사람>이라는 제목으로 개봉한 <오리우매>(2002)를 통해 각각의 영화가 '나이듦'을 이해하고 나이든 여성을 재현하는 방식을 살펴보고자 한다. <할머니와 란제리>는 바느질 솜씨를 살려 란제리 가게를 열기까지 마르타 할머니가 가족과 친구, 그리고 마을사람들과 벌이는 유쾌한 소동을 그렸다. <오리우매>는 시어머니와 며느리를 중심으로 치매라는 질병에 대한 사회의 편견과 잔인함, 그리고 '돌봄노동'의 의미를 성찰하는 작품이다. 스위스에서 만들어진 <할머니와 란제리>와 일본에서 만들어진 <오리우매>는 제작된 지역이 다름에도 불구하고 여성들끼리의 연대와 '늦었고 꺽어졌더라도 다시 피는 꽃'이라는 주제를 담아서 한 개인이 전 생애를 통해 한번 이상 새로운 주체로 다시 살 수 있는 사회에 대한 희망을 갖게 만든 것이 의미심장하다. In Korean society entered into an aging society, seeing aging women's lives, the lives of older women through women's eyes means, in a sense, calling the older female audience as the subject. On International Women's Film Festival in Seoul <Late Bloomers> (2006), and now in South Korea <special someone> opened with the title <Ori Ume> (2002) through the respective movies understanding 'aging' and the way represented older women will be discussed. <Late Bloomers> shows grandma Marta's a pleasant commotion drew with the villagers, family and friends until openig Lingerie Shop brought in her own sewing skills. <Ori Ume> challenges social prejudices regarding dementia and the brutality, and reflect the meaning of the 'the provision of care for the elderly' in a circle around bond of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law There is difference of the producig region of <Late Bloomers> made in Switzerland and <Ori Ume> made in Japan. Nevertheless, women's solidarity and alone 'late blooming flowers, cut back, even if the theme of encapsulate life through a person as a new subject to buy back more than once on the community have to be made is significant hope.

The lives of our mad mothers: Aging and contemporary performance

This paper investigates representations of aging in contemporary British and Irish theatre. The turn towards portraits of female, as opposed to male, aging in theatre, popular television comedy, and literature is notable. It is the purpose of this paper, therefore, to excavate the politics that lie beneath this cultural development. While, of course, older women have long populated the stage, it is the contention of this article that it is recent years that one can witness a concern to stage particular aspects of the lived experiences of older women's lives in contemporary British and Irish society. Through an examination of stereotype, comedy, illness roles, acting, intergenerational heritage, tragedy, and politics, this paper seeks to better understand the politics of staging age.

The impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on quality of life in older community-dwelling women: the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study

OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on the quality of life in older women as part of the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study.METHODS:This study was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 180 women 65 years of age or older with or without vertebral fractures. The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis was administered to all subjects. Anthropometric data were obtained by physical examination, and the body mass index was calculated. Lateral thoracic and lumbar spine X-ray scans were obtained to identify asymptomatic vertebral fractures using a semi-quantitative method.RESULTS:Women with asymptomatic vertebral fractures had lower total scores [61.4(15.3) vs. 67.1(14.2), p = 0.03] and worse physical function domain scores [69.5(20.1) vs. 77.3(17.1), p = 0.02] for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis compared with women without fractures. The total score of this questionnaire was also worse in women classified as obese than in women classified as overweight or normal. High physical activity was related to a better total score for this questionnaire (p = 0.01). Likewise, lower physical function scores were observed in women with higher body mass index values (p<0.05) and lower physical activity levels (p<0.05). Generalized linear models with gamma distributions and logarithmic link functions, adjusted for age, showed that lower total scores and physical function domain scores for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis were related to a high body mass index, lower physical activity, and the presence of vertebral fractures (p<0.05).CONCLUSION:Vertebral fractures are associated with decreased quality of life mainly physical functioning in older community-dwelling women regardless of age, body mass index, and physical activity. Therefore, the results highlight the importance of preventing and controlling asymptomatic vertebral fractures to reduce their impact on quality of life among older women.

Vitamin D intake and mental health-related quality of life in older women: The Iowa Women's Health Study

ObjectiveVitamin D deficiency and mood disorders are both prevalent among the elderly. We evaluated the association between vitamin D intake and mental health-related quality of life (QOL) among elderly women participating in a large population-based study. Study designThis study was a cross-sectional analysis of the Iowa Women's Health Study, a prospective study of cancer risk factors among post-menopausal women in Iowa that began in 1986. Additional survey data was collected from the cohort members in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1997, and 2004. Data for this analysis came from the 2004 questionnaire. Main outcome measureMental health-related QOL was assessed using five scales from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Health Survey. QOL scores were analyzed as continuous variables using linear regression, controlling for age, energy intake, BMI, education, smoking, living arrangement, antidepressant usage, comorbidity history, and physical activity. ResultsLow vitamin D intake (<400IU/day) was associated with poorer QOL scores compared to women with higher intake (≥400IU/day). Differences in QOL scores by vitamin D intake group were attenuated with multivariable adjustment, but a significant overall association between vitamin D and QOL scores persisted. Further adjustment for physical activity attenuated all differences as well as the overall association between vitamin D and QOL scores. ConclusionsWomen who consumed <400IU/day of vitamin D had significantly lower mental health-related QOL compared to those who consumed ≥400IU/day. Meeting dietary vitamin D recommendations is a potential method for improving QOL among the elderly.

Comfort and Symptom Burden Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Women with Advanced Heart Failure and Preserved Systolic Function

Comfort and Symptom Burden Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Women with Advanced Heart Failure and Preserved Systolic Function

Intergenerational relations and life satisfaction among older women in Taiwan

Lin J‐P, Chang T‐F, Huang C‐H. Intergenerational relations and life satisfaction among older women in TaiwanInt J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: S47–S58 © 2011 The Author(s), International Journal of Social Welfare © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.This study examined the relationship between intergenerational relations and life satisfaction among older women (aged 55 years and older) in Taiwan. According to intergenerational solidarity theory, intergenerational relations are dictated by various components: living arrangements, intergenerational support exchange, intergenerational affection, and intergenerational norms. Data were obtained from the 2006 Taiwan Social Change Survey (N= 281). The main results show that intergenerational relations have a significant effect on the life satisfaction of older women. Western studies have found that playing the giver's role increases the life satisfaction of older people. However, the present study found that being mainly a recipient of support from adult children is related to a higher level of life satisfaction among older Taiwanese women. This study also underscores the importance of the emotional component in intergenerational relations to the well‐being of older people. In Taiwan, stronger emotional bonds with adult children increases older women's life satisfaction.

Preventing osteoporosis in symptomatic postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is a common postmenopausal disease that has a substantial impact on the quality of life of older women and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are various options for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and all are associated with differing benefit-risk profiles. Estrogen therapy (in hysterectomized women) and estrogen/progestogen therapy (in nonhysterectomized women) are the most effective treatments available for the relief of vasomotor and urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women and provide significant protection against osteoporotic fractures. Selective estrogen receptor modulators reduce bone loss and prevent vertebral fractures without endometrial or breast stimulation. Raloxifene, the only selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for osteoporosis prevention and treatment, significantly reduces vertebral but not nonvertebral or hip fractures. Bisphosphonates prevent bone loss and vertebral fractures; however, not all bisphosphonates have been shown to prevent nonvertebral fractures. Selective estrogen receptor modulators and bisphosphonates are not effective for menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy should be considered as first-line therapy for preventing bone loss and fractures in early postmenopausal women who are symptomatic; other options include selective estrogen receptor modulators and bisphosphonates, especially in older, nonsymptomatic women. Future therapies are likely to include newer selective estrogen receptor modulators, combinations of estrogen with selective estrogen receptor modulators, and denosumab.

Investigation of mental intervention to improve negative emotion and quality of life of older women with stress urinary incontinence

Objective To evaluate the mental intervention to improve negative emotion and quality of life of elder women with stress urinary incontinence.Methods A total of 88 cases of older women with stress urinary incontinence were divided randomly into test group and control group,two groups were given symptomatic treatment and routine care,the test group was also given specific mental intervention.The mental state and quality of life were evaluated by GDS,SAS,I-QOL Results After a period of one month,there was significant difference between the scores of the two groups (both P ＜ 0.05),the negative emotion and quality of life of test group were improved markedly.Conclusions The targeted mental intervention can improve the patient s ' negative emotions,elevate quality of life and promote patients'quality of life. Key words: Stress urinary incontinence; Mental intervention; Negative emotion; Quality of life; Elder women

Fertility history and quality of life in older women and men

ABSTRACTIn this paper we examine associations between the fertility histories of older British women and men and their quality of life using data on a sample of 6,374 men and women born between 1923 and 1949 drawn from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). Quality of life in 2001 was measured using scores from the four subscales of the CASP-19 questionnaire: control, autonomy, pleasure and self-realisation. Fertility histories were derived using information on the births of children collected in all waves of the BHPS. The aspects of fertility history investigated were number of children born and parents' ages at birth of first and last child. Age, education, marital status, tenure status, smoking, co-residence with one or more children, perceived social support and health limitations were included as covariates. The results suggested that early entry to parenthood and to some extent high parity were related to poorer quality of life. These associations were mostly mediated by socio-economic, social support and health factors. Compared to women with two children, nulliparous women expressed a higher level of autonomy, and both nulliparous women and those with four or more children a higher level of self-realisation. Low parity was related to a lower level of pleasure, especially among men, but this relationship appeared weaker and among women was not significant when background factors were controlled.

Performance ethnography as an approach to health‐related education

This article explores the educational potential of an arts‐informed performance ethnography entitled Across the Tamar, which comprises a series of stories, songs and poems. As a classroom action research project – a ‘teaching experiment’ – we gave three performances to undergraduate and postgraduate sport and health science, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy students at two universities in the United Kingdom. Drawing on data that comprise the written responses of 126 students, we explore the learning processes evident in the students' accounts. Student responses suggest that through privileging personal, embodied and emotive stories, the performance stimulated alternative insights into older women's lives and provoked them to reflect on this new knowledge in the context of their own lives. By considering student responses in relation to narrative theory, we explore how performance ethnography can contribute to learning, critical reflection and transformation among students more familiar with scientific approaches to research and teaching.

Older Women's Comfort with 3-D Body Scanning Technology as Compared with Younger Women

This study examined older women's comfort with 3-D body scanning and explored its use for enhancing quality of life. Women (66 old; 66 young) were scanned and surveyed pre- and post-imaging. Comfort with the process and viewing the images were ascertained. Few differences between the groups emerged. Higher Body Mass Indices were related to greater body dissatisfaction, but age was not a factor. Implications for body scanning having the potential to improve quality of life for older women are presented.

The independent contribution of executive functions to health related quality of life in older women

BackgroundCognition is a multidimensional construct and to our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the independent contribution of specific domains of cognition to health related quality of life. To determine whether executive functions are independently associated with health related quality of life assessed using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) calculated from the EuroQol EQ-5D (EQ-5D) in older women after adjusting for known covariates, including global cognition. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis of community-dwelling older women aged 65-75 years who participated in a 12-month randomized controlled trial of resistance training. We assessed global cognition using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and executive functions using the: 1) Stroop Test; 2) Trail Making Test (Part B) and 3) Digits Verbal Span Backwards Test. We calculated QALYs from the EQ-5D administered at baseline, 6 months and 12 months.ResultsOur multivariate linear regression model demonstrated the specific executive processes of set shifting and working memory, as measured by Trail Making Test (Part B) and Digits Verbal Span Backward Test (p < 0.01) respectively, were independently associated with QALYs after accounting for age, comorbidities, general mobility, and global cognition. The final model explained 50% of the variation in QALYs.ConclusionsOur study highlights the specific executive processes of set shifting and working memory were independently associated with QALYs -- a measure of health related quality of life. Given that executive functions explain variability in QALYs, clinicians may need to consider assessing executive functions when measuring health related quality of life. Further, the EQ-5D may be used to track changes in health status over time and serve as a screening tool for clinicians.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00426881.

Exploring older women's citizenship: understanding the impact of migration in later life

ABSTRACTResearch on the ways in which having been an international migrant in later life shapes the welfare needs, preferences and expectations of non-native older people in rich countries is in its infancy, for both the ageing and migration fields have been slow to examine the experiences of older migrants. This paper focuses upon the welfare citizenship experiences of older women who migrated in later life to England, either as refugees or as post-retirement migrants. It reports findings from interviews and focus groups conducted with black Caribbean, Irish, Chinese and Somali older women migrants in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK, as part of the Older Women's Lives and Voices Study. The paper explores their experiences of accessing welfare citizenship and the barriers they encountered in accessing mainstream services. In particular, it examines the unequal platform from which older migrants who do not speak English access welfare citizenship rights and services, and assesses the important constraints of discrimination and language differences. Despite the obstacles, the older women participants were actively pursuing their inclusion in welfare rights and services. The paper argues for more recognition of the important enabling role that informal systems of support provided by participation in community or cultural organisations plays in the welfare citizenship and agency of minority ethnic older women.

Effect of Aldosterone Antagonism on Exercise Tolerance, Doppler Diastolic Function, and Quality of Life in Older Women With Diastolic Heart Failure

Optimal therapy for diastolic heart failure (DHF), the most common form of heart failure in older persons, is unclear. To determine the effect of aldosterone antagonism in DHF, the authors conducted an open-label preliminary trial of spironolactone 25 mg/d in 11 women with DHF. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, Doppler echocardiography, and a quality-of-life survey were administered at baseline and after 4 months. Peak exercise VO(2) increased by 8.3% (P=.001), the ratio of Doppler diastolic early filling velocity to mitral annulus velocity decreased by 25% (P=.02), quality-of-life score improved by 21% (P=.16 for trend), and median New York Heart Association class improved from class III to class II (P=.004). Findings from this preliminary study confirm the role of aldosterone in the pathophysiology of DHF and suggest that aldosterone antagonism may benefit such patients. These hypotheses are currently being tested in two separated National Institutes of Health-funded, randomized trials, the Spironolactone for Failure in the Elderly (SPIFFIE) and the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trials.

‘I think I have had a good life’: the everyday lives of older women and men from a lifecourse perspective

ABSTRACTThrough increased longevity, older people today live for many years in retirement. Research on the everyday lives of older women and men who are not in need of help from elder care is scarce. This paper reports an in-depth study of a small sample of such relatively healthy older people in Sweden. The aim of the study was to describe, analyse and interpret from a lifecourse perspective how older women and men experience everyday life. Twenty informants were recruited through advertisements and they were interviewed twice. They were aged 75 to 90 years at the first interview. The informants belong to the cohort that was born before the Second World War and they have witnessed and benefitted from both unprecedented economic growth and the development of the Swedish welfare state. Both the men and the women had been in paid work outside the home, and once retired they were determined to remain active. Even though many had found that their capacities had reduced, the informants spontaneously stressed the importance of continuing to be physically and mentally active. They saw life as meaningful because they sustained links in different ways with kin, friends and organisations. They wanted to remain active as long as possible, even when a decline in health reduced the range of activities that they could pursue.

Quality of Life in Older Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer in the First Year of Survivorship

To describe quality-of-life (QOL) changes in older women with early-stage breast cancer in the first year of survivorship and report on the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on survivors' QOL. Secondary analysis, descriptive, repeated measure. An academic setting in the southeastern United States. 50 early-stage breast cancer survivors, aged 65 years and older. Data were drawn from the Breast Cancer Education Intervention (BCEI) research study. Data for a six-month time period within the survivors' first year were available for an experimental group participating in a psychoeducational intervention and a control group. Overall QOL and physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being subscales. Older women reported positive overall QOL within the first year of survivorship, but overall QOL declined slightly over time. Physical and psychological well-being declined over time. Social well-being initially improved over time, but then declined. Spiritual well-being initially declined over time, then improved. Survivors had a downward trend in overall QOL during the study time period; however, experimental group participants had a smaller decline in QOL compared to control group participants. QOL in older breast cancer survivors within the first year is positive. However, overall QOL declines over time. The BCEI attenuated decline of QOL in the experimental group compared to the control group. Few studies focus on older breast cancer survivors. This descriptive study is one of the first to describe changes in QOL and report the effect of interventions for older breast cancer survivors. Oncology nurses are in a position to recognize QOL issues and help older women maintain QOL in the first year of survivorship after treatment.

Responsiveness of the Duke Social Support sub-scales in older women

an abbreviated form of the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) as used in a large longitudinal study of older Australian women was examined with respect to factors that might be expected to affect social support for older women over time. in this large cohort study two sub-scales of the DSSI, one describing the size and structure of the social network (four items) and the other perceiving satisfaction with social support (six items), were analysed in relation to outcome and exploratory variables. over a 3-year period, the network score increased among women whose life circumstances meant that they were likely to receive more support (e.g. recent widowhood). Likewise, those women at risk of becoming more socially isolated (e.g. those with sensory loss) became less satisfied with their social support. Changes in both measures were tempered by women's mental health and optimism. although the sub-scales of the DSSI may not fully reflect the complexity of social support paradigms, they are responsive to changes in the lives of older women and can be useful in community-based epidemiological studies.