Palestinian Elderly Women’s Needs and their Physical and Mental Health

Imam , Asma; Al-Khatib , Najah

Article Details

Palestinian Elderly Women’s Needs and their Physical and Mental Health

Authors:

Imam , Asma | Al-Khatib , Najah

Publisher:

medi+WORLD International

Main Topics:

Medicine

Journal:

Middle East Journal of Age and Ageing 2012 Vol.9 Issue 4, pp.31-43

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2012

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

12949

Frequency:

Bi-Monthly

eISSN:

14498677

pISSN:

18390102

Descriptors:

Abstract:

 This is a descriptive study that was conducted on 50 Palestinian elderly women whose ages were above 65 years. Open- ended, face-to-face, tape recorded interviews were used as a method for data collection. The sample was selected conveniently through personal contacts and health centers at various living localities of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The interviews were transcribed verbatim then analyzed using appropriate themes and categories, then simple calculations with percentages and count of responses were done for each of the questions of the interview. Results indicated that (42%) of the participants reported having limitation of movement and mobility caused by some musculoskeletal problem; 60% had cardiovascular problems, 34% had diabetes, and 28% had respiratory illnesses. The data indicated that the majority of the participants (92%) have some kind of social connectedness with family members and the local community. The main role the participants is routine work at home such as cleaning, cooking, and other house chores, as reported by 28 (56%) of the participants. Thirty-one (62%) participants said that they spend quite a lot of time in praying and sometimes reading the Quran. The main feelings of the participants are located under “a depressive” symptom, anxiety-related, or loss of control and autonomy, however; there was a variation in the severity of these symptoms. While 44% of the respondents were thankful to God and appreciative that their lives are satisfying and they were content for whatever they get from life and family, 20% of the participants were waiting for death to come, had death ideation or wished to die.

Article Details

Palestinian Elderly Women’s Needs and their Physical and Mental Health

Authors:

Imam , Asma | Al-Khatib , Najah

Publisher:

medi+WORLD International

Main Topics:

Medicine

Journal:

Middle East Journal of Age and Ageing 2012 Vol.9 Issue 4, pp.31-43

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2012

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

12949

Frequency:

Bi-Monthly

eISSN:

14498677

pISSN:

18390102

Descriptors:

PALESTINIAN WOMEN

AGED WOMEN

MENTAL HEALTH

MEDICAL CARE

QUALITY OF LIFE

SOCIAL LIFE

SOCIAL INTERACTION

DEPRESSION (PSYCHOLOGY)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

PALESTINE

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Imam , Asma | Al-Khatib , Najah

Publisher: medi+WORLD International

Main Topics: Medicine

Journal: Middle East Journal of Age and Ageing 2012 Vol.9 Issue 4, pp.31-43

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2012

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 12949

Frequency: Bi-Monthly

eISSN: 14498677

pISSN: 18390102

Descriptors:

Issues

Authors:

Imam , Asma | Al-Khatib , Najah

Publisher:

medi+WORLD International

Main Topics:

Medicine

Journal:

Middle East Journal of Age and Ageing 2012 Vol.9 Issue 4, pp.31-43

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2012

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

12949

Frequency:

Bi-Monthly

eISSN:

14498677

pISSN:

18390102