Gender Specifics of Healthy Ageing in Older Age as Seen by Women and Men (70+): A Focus Group Study

Katja Schladitz, Franziska Förster, Michael Wagner, Kathrin Heser, Hans-Helmut König, André Hajek, Birgitt Wiese, Alexander Pabst, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller and Margrit Löbner
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Katja Schladitz: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Franziska Förster: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Michael Wagner: Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Kathrin Heser: Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Hans-Helmut König: Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
André Hajek: Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Birgitt Wiese: Working Group Medical Statistics and IT-Infrastructure, Institute for General Practice, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Alexander Pabst: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Margrit Löbner: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: (1) The rising proportion of older adults in the population represents a challenge for the healthcare system. Women and men age differently. This study aims to examine gender-specific characteristics of health in old age from male and female perspectives. (2) Two focus groups were formed in this qualitative study of older (70+) women ( n = 10) and men ( n = 8) in accordance with the theoretical framework of the World Health Organization (WHO) on healthy ageing determinants. The data were audio recorded and fully transcribed. Qualitative content analysis was performed using MAXQDA. (3) In both focus groups (average age: women 77.1 years, men 74.9 years), gender-specific characteristics regarding healthy ageing were discussed. Women focused on healthy eating, while men focused on an active lifestyle and meaningful activities. Physical and social activities were considered as important for healthy ageing in both groups. (4) Important gender-specific characteristics of health in old age were identified and recommendations for gender-unspecific and gender-specific recommendations were derived. The results provide important information for promoting and maintaining health in old age. Women and men show both similarities and differences in terms of health-related needs and individual experiences. We suggest gender-specific features in nutrition and health programs for older adults.

Keywords: healthy ageing; gender-specific perspectives; gender-specific interventions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3137-:d:765927

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