SELF-REPORTED HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS OF WOMEN AGED 85 YEARS AND OLDER.
Contributors: Rush University, College Of Nursing.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 123
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.
Description: In this study the health status and health behaviors of women aged 85 years and older are introduced as critical issues for nursing. The purpose of the study was to describe the self rated health and reported health behaviors of women of this age. The demography of an aging society creates a special need for information about this fastest growing segment of the elderly population. Because gerontologists cannot agree on what needs to be measured regarding health and health behavior among the very old, a research methodology incorporating instrumental measurement and qualitative exploration was used to generate perceptions about health from a purposive and convenience sample. Fifty-nine women aged 85 to 97 years, living at home in a midwest metropolis and rural areas were interviewed using the Self Evaluation of Life Function (SELF) Scale and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Open-ended conversational probes were used with the first 30 women to provide transcripts for naturalistic qualitative analysis.

Findings suggest these women are in relatively good health and are intellectually intact. Conversational probing provided supportive data to validate the use of a self report method. Health behavior patterns emerged to suggest that positive attitudes affect the perception of health and associated behaviors. The overall profile of the sample is one of good perceived health despite chronic illness; social and physical activity with limitations; positive outlooks and personal efficacy. Health behaviors are largely self-initiated rather than professionally directed. Accepting the limitations of the study, cautious interpretation suggests there may be a certain homogeneity of health status and health behavior patterns among the sample, and that women aged 85 years and older may be different in these variables from younger elderly. Replication with repeated interviewing on a larger random sample is recommended for further research. The vitality of these women provides an opportunity for nursing to help them build on their past successful strategies to maintain health.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-07, Section: B, page: 2569.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--RUSH UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF NURSING, 1988.

School code: 0591.