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

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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
    German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 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
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • 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
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Katja Schladitz & Franziska Förster & Michael Wagner & Kathrin Heser & Hans-Helmut König & André Hajek & Birgitt Wiese & Alexander Pabst & Steffi G. Riedel-Heller & Margrit Löbner, 2022. "Gender Specifics of Healthy Ageing in Older Age as Seen by Women and Men (70+): A Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3137-:d:765927
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barbara Kalben, 2000. "Why Men Die Younger," North American Actuarial Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(4), pages 83-111.
    2. Becca R. Levy & Martin D. Slade & Stanislav V. Kasl, 2002. "Longitudinal Benefit of Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging on Functional Health," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(5), pages 409-417.
    3. David Steinmayr & Doris Weichselbaumer & Rudolf Winter-Ebmer, 2020. "Gender Differences in Active Ageing: Findings from a New Individual-Level Index for European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 691-721, September.
    4. Beata Gavurova & Viera Ivankova & Martin Rigelsky & Ladislav Suhanyi, 2020. "Impact of Gender Inequalities in the Causes of Mortality on the Competitiveness of OECD Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Charlotte Moser & Jacques Spagnoli & Brigitte Santos-Eggimann, 2011. "Self-Perception of Aging and Vulnerability to Adverse Outcomes at the Age of 65--70 Years," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(6), pages 675-680.
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