Health is partly physical, but to a degree also depends on how people feel about themselves. Somewhat surprisingly, most seniors view their health on the whole as good or excellent. Expectations vary from person to person. People look at others their own age and make a judgment of their own health in comparison with these others. There are, for example, sex differences regarding health among seniors just as there are among younger age groups.
Women report more symptoms than men.
Some say this is because women are actually sick more often than men. Others contend that women are sick no more than men but find it more socially acceptable to report symptoms and seek care. Still others argue that the incidence of sickness is the same, but that women are more attuned to their bodies and thus more aware of their symptoms. Despite reporting more symptoms, women still tend to view their health quite positively. Both men and women gain at least part of their sense of good health from being able to continue to cope with life in the community, and from being able to maintain a secure and comfortable lifestyle.