Older Women and Well-Being: A Global Perspective

Description

This book provides deep insights into concerns related to the well-being in older women across the globe. Written by experts in the field, it explores social roles, health, quality of life/well-being, as well as concerns related to abuse and neglect, impacting the health of older women. It discusses important conditions for the holistic health of older women from different perspectives and provides practical guidelines towards improving the overall status of older women's well-being in society. The chapters analyze the wider implications of older women’s experiences as family members, drivers of economies and members of a diverse population worldwide.  Covering a focus which is applicable to countries across continents, whether developed or developing, the book has an overall appeal to academicians, health care, policy makers as well as researchers in areas such as aging, gerontology, social work and psychology. Acknowledgements Contents About the Editor 1 Older Women: Global Concerns and Responses Toward Their Well-Being, Is a Serious Issue—An Introductory Note 2 Beyond the Barriers of Aging—Coping, Caring, and Contributions of Older Women Introduction Women and Aging Successful Aging Case Studies Case Study 1—Namrata Patil (83 Years) Case Study 2—Savita Dwivedi (67 Years) Case Study 3—Vidya Talati (66 Years) Case Study 4—Pallavi Desai (71 Years) Case Study 5: Geeta Nanavati (71 Years) Case Study 6: Purna Shah (65 Years) Case Study 7—Usha Joshi (72 Years) Case Study 8—Jayna Soni (73 Years) Case Study 9: Ganga Patel (84 Years) Analysis and Discussion Health Exercise, Meditation, and Yoga Religion and Spirituality Economic Security Meaningful Engagement Contributions Social Support Childhood and Other Life Experiences Travel and Exposure Positive Outlook and Acceptance of Change Conclusion References 3 Women as Elder Caregivers in a Global Context Introduction Cultural Landscape of Eldercare Consequences of Care Health and Caregiving Ethnic and Racial Differences in Caregiving Public Policy and Caregiving Caregiving Options and Work Career-Related Coping Conclusion References 4 Understanding and Responding to the Needs of Older Women Who Have Experienced Mistreatment Introduction State of Knowledge Defining Mistreatment Estimating the Scope of the Problem Ascertaining the Obstacles and Incentives for Older Women in Requesting Help Determining the Obstacles to, and Incentives for, Asking for Help in the Specific Context of Mistreatment of Older Women (N = 8 Articles) Conclusion on the Status of Knowledge for All Genders Combined Methodology Research Design Recruiting Participants Sample Characteristics Data Collection Findings Data Collection Findings Final Conceptual Framework Validating the Findings Discussion Conclusion References 5 Health and Well-Being in Older Women: A Universal Issue Introduction Physical Health Issues in Older Women Across Continents Health Issues of Aging Women in America Health Issues of Aging Women in Africa Health Issues of Aging Women in Asia Health Issues of Aging Women in Europe Psychological Well-Being of Older Women America Africa Asia Europe Emotional Health and Social Wellbeing America Africa Asia Europe Need for Recognition and Attention: Policy Making Challenges for Older Women America Africa Asia Europe Positive Developments for Older Women Conclusion References 6 Depression in Elderly Women: Clinical Challenges Introduction Epidemiology of Geriatric Depression in Women Geriatric Depression in Women in Underdiagnosed Factors Implicated in Geriatric Depression in Women Risk Factors Protective Factors Spousal Loss and Grief Depression in Women Who Are Caregivers Depression in Women with Medical Illnesses Clinical Features of Geriatric Depression in Women Subsyndromal Depression in Elderly Women Treatment of Geriatric Depression in Women Early Detection and Diagnosis Managing Patient Adherence and Compliance Approach to the Treatment of Geriatric Depression in Women Collaborative Care in Women with Geriatric Depression Health Care Issues that Must Be Addressed The Role of the Family Specific Areas that Need to Be Addressed Need to Create Awareness About Geriatric Depression Training of Family Physicians and Mental Health Professionals Overlap of Depression and Dementia Conclusions References 7 Older Women Killed by Their Partners: A Socio-Demographic Analysis and Risk Factors Relevant Definitions Violence Gender-Based Violence: Partner Violence Elder Abuse/Maltreatment Gender-Based Violence Against Elderly Women Analysis of 30 Cases of Intimate Partner Femicides of Elderly Women in Spain Conclusion Bibliography 8 Life World of the Oldest–Old Women from Phenomenological Persepective Theoretical Background Limitations of the Study Objectives of the Study Sample Aging Scenario in India, Karnataka and in the Study Area First Round of Interview Second Round of Interview Third Round of Interview Results References 9 Older Women in India: Differential Vulnerabilities and Empowerment Interventions Introduction Aging in India Health Vulnerability Economic Vulnerability Psycho-Social Vulnerability Theorizing Vulnerability and Empowerment Initiatives on Empowerment of Elderly Women in India Conclusions and Suggestive Interventions References 10 WHO CARES? Challenges of Women Aging in Contemporary Indonesia On Aging in Indonesia Feminization of the Elderly is Irrespective of Gender Compositions of the Youth Indonesian Elderly Women and Men in the Household Who to Live with in Old Age? Access to Housing Hygiene and Sanitation So, Who Cares? The Strength of the Family Throughout Life References 11 Plight of Older Americans: Insights into the Lives of African American Women Physical and Mental Health Outcomes and Health-Seeking Behaviors References 12 Older Women and Agism Introduction The Rise of “Agism” Gendered Agism The Double Jeopardy of Aging Images of Women, the Mass Media, and Aging Gendered Agism and the Labor Market Gendered Agism and Health Conclusion References 13 Dementia and Women—Global Concerns Introduction Life Course Perspective Terminology Used in the Chapter Few Considerations Epidemiological Concerns Dementia and Its Global Burden Lack of Access to Dementia Care Lack of Diagnosis in Women Risk Factors for Dementia in Women Treatment Response in Women Dementia Care for Women Elder Abuse and Dementia in Women Women as Caregivers in the Dementia Process Future Research Needs Conclusions References 14 Negotiating with an Acquired Disability: Experiences of Elderly Women in Kashmir Introduction Elderly in Kashmir Methodology Conclusion References 15 Some Insights on the Living Arrangements and Quality of Life of Older Women Introduction Elderly Women as a Vulnerable Group Research Design Operational Definitions Measures Used in the Study Sampling Procedure Framework of Analysis Results Profile of the Respondents Family Background Work and Economic Background Living Arrangements of the Sample Elderly Women and Their Quality of Life Factors that May Influence the QoL and Related Domains of Older Women in LAs Discussion Who Were These Older Women? Living Arrangements of Elderly Women and Their Quality of Life Factors Influencing the QoL and Related Domains of Elderly Women Suggestions and Implications for Social Work Practice Suggestions for Specific Programs to Update Policy and Legislation for the Older Women Implications for Social Work Practice Bibliography 16 Psychosocial Challenges of Older Women and Services to Facilitate Their Well-Being Introduction Psychosocial Challenges in Old Age Androcentry in Gerontology Sexism and Gender in Old Age Feminization of Aging Conclusion Challenges of Changing Family Life for Older Women Living Arrangements Changing Family Roles and Relationships Challenges of Caregiving Challenges of Neglect and Abuse Conclusion Challenges of Changing Marital Life for Older Women Changing Marital Roles and Relationships Challenges of Sexuality in Old Age Conclusion Challenges of Grief and Bereavement for Older Women Challenges of Grief and Bereavement Challenges of Widowhood Conclusion Summary of Psychosocial Challenges faced by Older Women and Services to Facilitate Psychosocial Well-Being Summary of Psychosocial Challenges Faced by Older Women Psychosocial Well-Being Workshops for Life Skills Development Facilitation of Reminiscences and Life Reviews Death Education References 17 Project Nana: Seasoning Our Seasoned Women Background Rationale Community Analysis Solutions to Meet the Needs Planning Procedures Theoretical Approach Theory of Planned Behavior Social Cognitive Theory Intervention Design Evaluation Design Method of Evaluation Results from Pilot Workshop Discussion References 18 The Status and Well-Being of Elderly Women Suffering from Dementia: Case Studies from Bengaluru Introduction Methodological and Theoretical Background of the Study Understanding Dementia Understanding Dementia as Caregiver’s Challenge The Impact of Dementia Care Findings on Family Caregivers Findings from Institutional Case Studies Limitations in Personal Care Issues in the Use of Antipsychotic Medication for People with Dementia Comprehensive and Affordable Dementia Care Model Toward a Geriatric Inclusive and Dementia Friendly Social Order References 19 Women Workers in Informal Economy and Aging Concerns Introduction Aging Population—Trends and Challenges Employment of Older Workers Women in the Labor Force Nature of women’s Work Informal Economy and Aging Concerns Access to Social Protection and Entitlements Conclusion and Way Forward References 20 The Elderly Women #metoo Left Out Introduction: A Resounding Silence No Common Definition The Abusers The Silent Victims The Silenced Victims Underreported Crimes Denial of Proper Care Failing Healthcare Services Failing Justice Conclusion: Breaking the Silence References 21 Neglect, Abuse, and Violence in Later Life: Intersectionality of Gender and Age Introduction Population Aging and Gender Feminization of Aging Theoretical Perspectives Examples of Older Adult Abuse in Three Frames and Implications of Older Women Definitions of Older Adult Abuse Abuse of Older Women as a Human Rights Violation Implications of Different Frameworks Implications for Policy and Practice What Practitioners and Policymakers Need to Know About Interventions Barriers to Effective Elder Abuse Practice Promoting the Interests of Older Women at the United Nations and Internationally United Nations Organizational Changes to Promote Gender Equality Examples of Researchers Who Challenge Siloed Approaches to Understanding Neglect, Abuse, and Violence Against Older Women Gaps in Prevention and Intervention Summary and Recommendations References