Physical and mental health relationships in the very old.
A descriptive, correlational study was conducted to examine the physical and mental health status of 80-year-olds. Thirty-seven community-dwelling adults, aged 80 and over, were interviewed about their physical health, psychological well-being, and demographic characteristics. Both descriptive and correlational data indicated that overall these older adults were positive about both their physical health and psychological well-being. However, depression emerged as a significant problem for 24% of the sample and was strongly related to physical health problems. Results are discussed in relation to both health needs and stereotypic beliefs about the very old.
Heidrich
S M
SM
School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53201.
D'Amico
D
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009017:Morbidity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors