| 1. |
- von Heideken Wågert, Petra, et al.
(författare)
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Health status in the oldest old : Age and sex differences in the Umeå 85+ Study.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. - 1594-0667. ; 18:2, s. 116-126
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With an increasing population aged 85 years and over, the aim of this study was to describe health status and living conditions in the oldest old and to estimate age and sex differences in a Northern European population. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study, The Umeå 85+ Study, was carried out in the municipality of Umeå in northern Sweden. Out of 319 eligible participants aged 85, 90 and 95 years and over, 253 participated. Structured interviews and assessments were conducted with the participants in their homes, and data were also collected from relatives, caregivers and medical charts. Cognition was screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), depressive symptoms with the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and nutritional status with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed applying the Staircase of ADL (including Katz' Index of ADL) and morale with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). Participants also rated their own health. RESULTS: Over half of the participants had hypertension, one out of four was depressed, and the same proportion had had a hip fracture; the mean number of drugs taken was 6.4+/-4.0. Younger participants had lower rates of diagnoses and prescribed drugs, and were less dependent in ADL and other functional variables; men had lower rates of diagnoses and reported symptoms. The majority of participants rated their general health and morale as good. CONCLUSIONS: There were large variations in social, medical and functional variables within and between age and sex groups. This northern population of the oldest old seems to have a very high prevalence of hypertension, depression, hip fractures, and many prescribed drugs.
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| 2. |
- von Heideken Wågert, Petra, et al.
(författare)
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Morale in the oldest old : the Umeå 85+ study
- 2005
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Ingår i: Age and Ageing. - 0002-0729. ; 34:3, s. 249-255
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: to describe morale among the oldest old, and to investigate which social, functional and medical factors are associated with morale in this population. DESIGN: a cross-sectional study. SETTING: a population-based study in the municipality of Umeå, a city in Northern Sweden. SUBJECTS: half of the 85-year-old population, and the total population of 90-year-olds and > or = 95-year-olds (95-103) were asked to participate (n = 319) and 238 were interviewed. METHODS: structured interviews and assessments during home visits, interviews with relatives and caregivers and review of medical charts. The 17-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) was used to measure morale. Participants were assessed with the Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and a symptom questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to find independent factors to explain the variation in the PGCMS score. RESULTS: eighty-four per cent (n = 199) of those interviewed answered the PGCMS. Three-quarters had middle range or high morale. GDS score, type of housing, previous stroke, loneliness and number of symptoms, adjusted for age group and sex, explained 49.3% of the variance of total PGCMS score. CONCLUSIONS: a large proportion of the oldest old had high morale. The most important factors for high morale were the absence of depressive symptoms, living in ordinary housing, having previously had a stroke and yet still living in ordinary housing, not feeling lonely and low number of symptoms. The PGCMS seems applicable in the evaluation of morale among the oldest old.
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| 3. |
- Aléx, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Balancing within various discourses--the art of being old and living as a Sami woman.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Health Care for Women International. - 0739-9332. ; 27:10, s. 873-92
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this part of the Umeå 85+ Study was to explore how indigenous women narrate their lives and their experience of being old as Sami women. Interviews with 9 old Sami women were analyzed using grounded theory. The categories identified were "reindeer as the basis of life," "longing for significant Sami values," "feeling valued as a Sami woman," and "changing for survival;" these evolved into the core category: "balancing within various discourses-the art of being old and living as a Sami woman." Knowing how to balance provided the ability to make use of available opportunities.
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| 4. |
- Aléx, Lena, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Construction of masculinities among men aged 85 and older in the north of Sweden
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - 0962-1067. ; 17:4, s. 451-459
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: The aim was to analyse the construction of masculinities among men aged 85 and older. BACKGROUND: All societies have a gender order, constructed from multiple ideas of what is seen as feminine and masculine. As the group of men aged 85 and older is increasing in size and their demand for care will increase, we must recognize the importance of studying these men and various discourses of masculinities. DESIGN: Qualitative explorative. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse thematic narratives. Masculinity theories provided the point of departure for the analysis. RESULTS: The analysis coalesced into three masculinities. 'Being in the male centre', developed from subthemes as: taking pride in one's work and economic situation; being in the centre in relation to others; regarding women as sexual objects; and belonging to a select group. 'Striving to maintain the male facade' developed from subthemes as: emphasizing 'important' connections; having feelings of loss; striving to maintain old norms and rejecting the fact of being old. 'Being related' was formulated from subthemes as: feeling at home with domestic duties; being concerned; accepting one's own aging; and reflecting on life. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates the importance of being aware of the existence of multiple masculinities, in contrast to the generally unproblematic and unsubtle particular healthcare approaches which consider men as simply belonging to one masculinity. Relevance to clinical practice. Diverse masculinities probably affect encounters between men and healthcare providers and others who work with an older population and therefore our results are of importance in a caring context.
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| 5. |
- Aléx, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Constructions of various femininities among the oldest old women
- 2006
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Ingår i: Health Care for Women International. - Washington, D.C. : Hemisphere. - 0739-9332. ; 27:10, s. 853-872
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study forms part of the Ume<img src="http://www.informaworld.com/cache/entities/14/000000/ffffff/arial/md/00e5.png" /> 85+ Study, and the aim was to explore various gendered constructions of femininities among the oldest old women. Femininities are seen as various ways of shaping oneself as a woman in relation to the impact of historical, social, and cultural circumstances. Thematic narratives were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Through interpreting these narratives in the light of gender theories, we were able to discern four femininities: “being connected,” “being an actor,” “living in the shadow of others,” and “being alienated.” The oldest old women displayed complex outlooks on femininities, and no femininity was interpreted as being in the center related to the other femininities. Further research is needed in order to disclose the complexity of femininities related to factors such as social class, ethnicity, and financial situation among the oldest old, and to acquire a greater knowledge of various femininities.
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| 6. |
- Fischer, Regina Santamäki, et al.
(författare)
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Embracing opposites : meanings of growing old as narrated by people aged 85
- 2008
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Ingår i: The International Journal of Aging & Human Development. - 0091-4150. ; 67:3, s. 259-71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many old people suffer from prolonged and multiple bodily ailments, new diseases, and increased risk for disadvantages and losses in life. Aging also means becoming mature and wise. This study illuminates the meaning of the lived experience with respect to changes in late life. Using a phenomenological hermeneutic method, this study analyzes transcribed interviews of 15 85-year-old people. Four themes were formulated: embracing weakness and strength, embracing slowness and swiftness of time, embracing reconciliation and regret, and embracing connectedness and loneliness. From these analyses, growing old was described as--maintaining one's identity in spite of the changes that come with aging and, embracing opposites--being changed and feeling being the same.
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| 7. |
- Nygren, Björn, et al.
(författare)
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Inner strength as disclosed in narratives of the oldest old.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Qualitative Health Research. - 1049-7323. ; 17:8, s. 1060-73
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of inner strength when very old as narrated by women and men 85 and 90 years old. The authors used a phenomenological hermeneutical method to analyze interviews from 11 women and 7 men, aged either 85 or 90, who scored high on scales measuring phenomena related to inner strength. The following themes emerged from the analysis: feeling competent in oneself yet having faith in others, looking on the bright side of life without hiding from the dark, feeling eased and also being active, being the same yet growing into a new garment, and living in a connected present but also in the past and the future. The authors understood the meaning as Life Goes On--Living It All. To illuminate this meaning further, the authors related the findings to the Aristotelian virtues and the golden mean, and to developmental theory.
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| 8. |
- Nygren, Björn, et al.
(författare)
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Resilience, sense of coherence, purpose in life and self-transcendence in relation to perceived physical and mental health among the oldest old.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Aging & Mental Health. - 1360-7863. ; 9:4, s. 354-362
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Different concepts have been presented which denote driving forces and strengths that contribute to a person's ability to meet and handle adversities, and keep or regain health. The aim of this study, which is a part of The Umeå 85+ study, was to describe resilience, sense of coherence, purpose in life and self-transcendence in relation to perceived physical and mental health in a sample of the oldest old. The study sample consisted of 125 participants 85 years of age or older, who ranked themselves on the Resilience Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale, Purpose in Life Scale and Self-Transcendence Scale and answered the SF-36 Health Survey questionnaire. The findings showed significant correlations between scores on the Resilience Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Purpose in Life Test, and the Self-Transcendence Scale. Significant correlations were also found between these scales and the SF-36 Mental Health Summary among women but not among men. There was no significant correlation between perceived physical and mental health. The mean values of the different scales showed that the oldest old have the same or higher scores than younger age groups. Regression analyses also revealed sex differences regarding mental health. The conclusions are that, the correlation between scores on the different scales suggests that the scales measure some dimension of inner strength and that the oldest old have this strength at least in the same extent as younger adults. Another conclusion is that the dimensions that constitute mental health differ between women and men.
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| 9. |
- Santamäki-Fischer, Regina, et al.
(författare)
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I'm on My Way : The Meaning of Being Oldest Old, as Narrated by People Aged 95 and Over
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging. - 1552-8030. ; 19:2, s. 3-19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A phenomenological hermeneutic analysis of interviews with 12 persons aged between 95 and 103 years was performed to uncover the meaning of the lived experience of being oldest old. Two themes were formulated, namely, being in stillness and in movement, which involves being in one's aged body, unable to move, and being in the stillness of the inner person occupied with an inner movement of remembering, and reconciling with, life; and being at the threshold and being ready to let go, which implies being at peace with God and feeling confidence despite the anxiety of dying. A comprehensive understanding was formulated based on Gabriel Marcel's thoughts on hope, in terms of which, to be oldest old means living in hope and being on the move. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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| 10. |
- Santamäki-Fischer, Regina, et al.
(författare)
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Living Amidst Consolation in the Presence of God Perceptions of Consolation Among the Oldest Old : The Umeå 85+ Study.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging. - 1552-8030. ; 19:3, s. 3-20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study describes how 90-year-olds and older people perceive consolation. Qualitative Content analysis of 49 interviews revealed four categories: consolation by God; consolation from others; consolation from self; and consolation from things, which were present in two themes. The theme "Living amidst consolation in the presence of God" was a core theme and expresses consolation as self-evident and based on a relation to God, others, self, and things. The theme "Seeking consolation," expresses consolation from self, others, things, or God. Interviewees in some cases regretted that they had no religious faith. Reasonably, most interviewees referred to religious consolation, as religion had been so closely connected with the word "consolation" all their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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