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‘Being young’: Aging experience of well older women
Author(s) -
Duggleby Wendy,
Bateman Joan,
Croissant Deborah
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2004.187_6.x
Subject(s) - feeling , gerontology , successful aging , cohort , recreation , focus group , age groups , psychology , cohort study , young adult , medicine , demography , social psychology , sociology , law , pathology , political science , anthropology
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the aging experience among well community living older women. The specific aims were: (a) describe the experience of aging; (b) describe how participants deal with aging and; (c) describe age‐cohort variations in themes. Forty‐six women who attend seniors’ and recreation centers in north central Texas participated in focus groups based on their age: young‐old (65–74 years); old‐old (75–84 years) and oldest old (> 85 years of age). Three participants, one from each age group, were interviewed to confirm data analysis. Themes did not vary according to age cohort. Participants described dealing with multiple changes by ‘being young’, ‘staying connected’ and ‘persevering’. Rather than feeling their age, they described the importance of being themselves. The findings challenge the negative stereotypes of aging and assist in identifying the strategies and resources used by older women to age well. This study was funded by the University of Texas at Arlington Enhancement Fund.