The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65798

Shirley M. Newberry, RN, PHN, DNSc, Department of Nursing, Winona State University, 323 Stark Hall, Winona State Univ ersity, Winona, MN 54987, 507-457-5124, snewberry@winona.edu

One of the greatest challenges facing nursing in the future will be promoting wellness among the increasing number of older adults, many of whom live in rural areas where they are isolated from access to medical facilities and information about health promotion. A non-experimental research design was utilized to explore the health promoting behaviors and perceived health status. The Short Form-8 was used to measure the self-perceived health status and the Health Promoting Lifestyle II was used to measure the health promoting behaviors. Surveys were completed by 440 older adults. The self-perceived health status of the study sample is poorer than, yet, comparable to other older adults in the areas of bodily pain, vitality, role emotional, social functioning, and mental health. Spiritual growth is the most commonly used health promoting behaviors for this sample. However, nutrition and stress management were also commonly used health promoting behaviors. Overall, the perceived health status was positively related to health promoting behaviors for this sample. The health promoting behavior of Health Responsibility, however, showed no correlation with health status. The demographic variables for the rural older adult were found to be poor predictors of either health promoting behaviors or perceived health status. Limited data exists describing the relationship of health status and health promoting behaviors, especially with the older adult population. This research contributes to nursing by enhancing the knowledge and development of nursing interventions pertinent to health promoting behaviors and health status of older adults living in rural areas.

Learning Objectives:

• The attendee will identify the health status of the participants of the reported research of well older adults in the rural setting.
• The attendee will identify the health promoting behaviors utilized by the well older adults in the rural setting as reported in the study.
• The attendee will recognize health promoting behaviors utilized that promote healthy lifestyles for the older adult living in the rural setting.
• The attendee will identify the goals of 2010 that pertain to the older adult population.
• The attendee will articulate the need for development of healthy interventions that will promote Healthy People 2010 goals for the older adult.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.