Women and Healthy Aging
As women age, their health concerns evolve. Much public attention on
older women is focused now on menopause, heart disease and osteoporosis,
with new research appearing almost daily. Debates rage over drug therapies
such as hormones, tamoxifen and biphosphonates.
Meanwhile, multitudes of commercial interests are vying for a market
share, promising the fountain of youth. Drug and medical equipment companies
claim to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and the
"symptoms" of menopause. Anti-wrinkle creams and bone building supplements
crowd the store shelves. Plastic surgeons promote injections that paralyze
women's facial muscles. The purpose? To erase frowns and the signs of
aging….
There are also social challenges facing older women. These can have
far-ranging implications for their health. They may be caring for both
their aging relatives and their children. They may live alone and have
few social supports. They may not have enough money to eat well. Their
health may be jeopardized if they are a visible minority, and if they
are victims of racism.
Consider the following:
- In 1999, women aged 65-69 had an average yearly income (after tax)
of $18,427 compared to the $22,577 that men the same age earned. This
means older women have less money to buy enough healthy food and medications.
- Eighty-eight percent of women aged 65 and over have a health problem.
- Older women are more likely to live alone, with inadequate social
and material supports.
- When living with their spouse, older women are usually the ones
providing care if their spouse becomes ill or disabled.
- Women are more prone to suffering from Alzheimers, osteoporosis,
chronic diseases, falls, and vision problems, and they spend more
days in hospital than men.
- 5.8% of all seniors in 1996 belonged to a visible minority group.
- Senior women are prescribed mood-altering drugs (i.e., minor tranquilizers
and sedatives) more often than any other population group in Canada.
- In studies of elder abuse, those most likely to be abused are older
widows who live with a relative, are socially isolated and are in
poor physical or mental health.
- Of older women who are assaulted, more than one in four are assaulted
by a family member, compared to one in seven older males.
(Sources: Health
Canada, Statistics Canada)
For more information see:
Written by: Alex Merrill
CHN Health Educator
E-mail: healthed@cwhn.ca
June 2002
Revised June 2006
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