title: Group that celebrates silliness helps women cope with growing old.
abstract: How older women cope with challenges and losses in later life influences not only their physical health, but also their psychological wellbeing and quality of life. The Red Hat Society is an international social group for women over 50, and has a mission to 'celebrate the silliness of life'; the main feature of society's meetings is that members must dress up in gaudy red hats and garish purple outfits. The women interviewed said participation helped them to cope with emotional stressors of later life. Although growing old is not something that can be changed, participation in the society helps circumstances seem less distressing and more manageable.