Self-perceived health among older women living in their own residence

Aim.  The aim was to characterize women who perceived themselves as healthy and to compare them with women who perceived themselves as less healthy with regard to demographical, social, medical and functional factors. Another aim was to describe changes within the healthy group after one year. Background.  Self-perceived health is influenced by several factors, of which diseases and illness are only a part. Method and participants.  Two hundred and seventy-eight women, 75 and 80 years old, of which 50% (n = 139) perceived themselves as healthy and less healthy, respectively. Data were collected by using the Nottingham Health Profile, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Mini Mental State Examination and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument, in two examinations at intervals of one year. Results.  The women in the healthy group were characterized as having no or low depression symptoms (P = 0.016), better physical mobility (P = 0.029) and better physical health (P < 0.001). Furthermore no or less pain, fewer doctor visits, more energy and fewer negative emotional reactions were predictors for self-perceived health in the healthy group at the one-year follow-up. Conclusion.  The most important predictors associated with perceiving oneself as healthy were no or few depression symptoms, physical mobility and good physical health. Relevance to clinical practice.  Attention has to be paid to women's mood, physical health, mobility, pain and energy to help them stay healthy.