title: Rural and urban older adults' perspectives of strength in their daily lives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to understand older adults' perspectives of strength in their daily lives.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Maintaining strength is important as the population ages and many older adults live into their 80s and 90s. Few studies have explored older adults' views of strength and its management as they age.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative descriptive design was used. The sample consisted of 5 focus groups (n = 41) that participated in semistructured interviews. Transcribed data were analyzed using the constant comparative method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged-the capacity to meet variable demands, changes in strength, and strategies to stay strong.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults regard strength as an integration of physical and internal capacities for meeting a range of demands and use physical, mental, and social activities for staying strong. Nurses have an important role in helping older adults focus on strength and their abilities rather than inabilities to enhance healthy aging.
authors: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada, BC V1V 1V7. Kathy.rush@ubc.ca
authors: Kathy L
authors: KL
authors: Rush
authors: Wilda E
authors: WE
authors: Watts
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Janke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population