[Active and healthy living in old age--results from a representative survey of community-dwelling senior citizens in Hamburg].
BACKGROUND
The majority of community-dwelling people 60 years and older are independent and live actively. However, there is little information about elderly persons' views on aging, health and health promotion.


METHODS
Therefore, an anonymous, written questionnaire survey was performed in a representative sample of inhabitants from a section of the city of Hamburg, 60 years and older; 5 year intervals, 14 subsamples according to 7 age groups of females and males.


RESULTS
Questionnaires from 950 participants (29% response) could be evaluated: mean age 71.5 years, 58% women, 34% living alone, 5% with professional healthcare needs as indicated by status according to German nursing care insurance. Senior citizens' positive attitudes towards aging and health were predominant: 69% of respondents felt young, 85% worried about loss of autonomy in old age.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide evidence indicating potential for improving health-promoting lifestyles in parts of the older population by evaluating and strengthening older persons' competencies and by considering their concerns seriously. These results provide valuable information for future plans in the public-health sector in the city of Hamburg where particular health-promoting actions for elderly persons will be considered.
Dapp
Ulrike
U
Albertinen-Haus, Zentrum für Geriatrie und Gerontologie, Wissenschaftliche Einrichtung an der Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland. ulrike.dapp@albertinen.de
Lorentz
Ch
Ch
Laub
S
S
Anders
J
J
von Renteln-Kruse
W
W
Minder
Ch
Ch
Dirksen-Fischer
M
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires