Aging and Women's Health: An Update from the National Institute on Aging

Area of Science:

• Geriatric medicine and women's health research.
• Translational research in aging and health.
• Clinical applications of aging research findings.

Background:

• Older women represent a growing demographic in the United States.
• This population may encounter multifaceted health issues including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional challenges.
• Effective clinical strategies are needed to address the specific health and wellness needs of older women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Geriatric 5 Ms (Multicomplexity, Mind, Mobility, Medications, What Matters Most) as a framework for older women's health.
• To highlight the relevance of this framework for clinical practice.
• To underscore the utility of National Institute on Aging (NIA) research for clinicians.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development (Geriatric 5 Ms).
• Review and synthesis of National Institute on Aging (NIA) research findings.
• Application of the framework to clinical scenarios involving older women.

Main Results:

• The Geriatric 5 Ms framework offers a structured approach to assess and manage complex health needs in older women.
• NIA research provides evidence-based resources and implementable findings for busy clinicians.
• The framework facilitates a holistic understanding of older women's health and wellness.

Conclusions:

• The Geriatric 5 Ms framework is a valuable tool for addressing the comprehensive health requirements of older women.
• Clinicians can leverage NIA resources to enhance care for this demographic.
• Integrating this framework can improve health outcomes and quality of life for older women.