Maintaining health and independence of elderly women

1. There is a paucity of research specific to elderly women in the nursing literature. Research is needed in this area because older women have different patterns of aging than men. 2. Since older women are the most rapidly growing segment of American society, there is a need to maintain their health and independence while minimizing the effects of chronic illness. 3. Elderly women with a reported health status of excellent or good indicated they had a greater degree of social support than respondents reporting a fair or poor health status. 4. Women residing in private housing reported having an excellent or good health status and a greater degree of social support more frequently than women in public housing.