Elderly Womens Health Care - Annotated Bibliography Example

Elderly Women’s Health Care: An Annotated Bibliography Lawlor, D.A., Taylor, M., Bedford, C., 7 Ebrahim, S. (2002). Is housework good for health? Levels of physical activity and factors associated with activity in elderly women. Results from the British women’s heart and health study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 56, 473-478. Lawlor et. al. (2002) focused their study on whether or not elderly women could meet the recommended level of physical activity when heavy housework was allowed to be counted. This study concentrated on women aged 60-79. It was concluded that the majority of elderly women participating in the study, met the recommended level of physical activity when housework was allowed in be included. However, the recommended levels of heavy housework did not contribute to weight loss. The previous recommended level was at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week or vigorous activity for 20 minutes for three days a week. This was changed to have a focus on what could be accomplished in everyday life at a moderate level. This article, researching physical activity, was conducted using questionnaires and interviews. There were 2, 341 participants. This study was not considered experimental since it did not require the use of a control group. Since this study was based on self-reporting from the participants, there is always the concern of the accuracy of the results. I would suggest repeating the study using a smaller number of participants and conducting it in a supervised setting. One thought would be to have the participants video themselves while cleaning to monitor the time spent, the level of activity and the number of days a week. The fact that the results were totally based on statements from the participants automatically leads to questions of accuracy. Felson, D.T., Zhang, Y., Hannan, M.T., Kiel, D.P., Wilson, P., & Anderson, J. (1993). The effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on bone density in elderly women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 329, 1141-1146. This article focused on bone density. The authors conducted research to determine if long term estrogen use has an effect on bone density. The research showed that it takes at least seven years of estrogen use after menopause in order to make a positive impact on bone density levels. It is questionable whether or not estrogen has any effect on women 75 years old and older. This research project had two distinct groups of participants; those taking estrogen and those who did not. This study could be considered experimental in that there was a control group and the results were compared between the two groups. The only component that is dependent upon the participants is the actual taking of the estrogen. This, however, can be verified through medical testing. The results were determined through the medical testing of bone density, so I consider the results of this research more valid that the previous study. An important factor about this study is the length of time that a women must take the estrogen in order for it to be effective in reducing bone density. This could be a starting point for other research in terms of what changes could be made to make the positive effects begin sooner. Chapuy, M.C., Arlot, M.E., Duboeuf, F., Brun, J., Crouzet, B., Arnaud, S., Delmas, P. D., Meunier, P.J. (1992). Vitamin D3 and calcium to prevent hip fractures in elderly women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 327, 1637-1642. The last article by Chapuy (1992) focused on whether or not taking vitamin D3 and calcium reduces the risk of hip fractures in older women. The study concentrated on women aged 69 to 106. It was found that taking these supplements does reduce the risk of hip fractures and other fractures as well, excluding vertebrae. This article can also be considered experimental in that one group took vitamin D3 and calcium and the other group did not. Also, like the Felson et.al. study, the results were carefully gathered by medical professionals, indicating to me, more valid results as compared to the first study. This study did not address the length of time before the effects can be seen. The previous study had a specific time, seven years, but this study did not refer to any time frames. I think that would be helpful for medical professionals to include that information and also for future research studies. Compare/Contrast All of the studies focused on very contemporary issues that are of the utmost concern to today’s elderly women. Finding ways to keep elderly women physically active at an appropriate level, reducing hip fractures and keeping bone density within normal limits will certainly help to improve the lives of women as they grow older. As a group, these articles added to the knowledge base of health in elderly women. All three studies provided very practical ways to improve challenging issues. The majority of elderly women can take a supplement or vitamins and can exercise by performing housework. These studies are all relevant and the results can be easily implemented. In addition, all three studies reported that smoking was detrimental to the founded results. The studies differed in their methodologies. The summaries for all three research studies included both qualitative and quantitative data addressing the research questions. The Lawlor study was the least valid and reliable since it required the participants to do their own reporting as to their exercise level. There was no control group for this study, just a measure of outcomes regarding what was reported. The other two studies had higher levels of supervision and medical testing was required to determine the results. These two studies were scientific in their approach and the participants had much less control over the results. The methods used in all three studies were appropriate for the questions that the researchers were trying to answer. All of the studies also have the potential of being replicated and could be applied to other participant groups, such as elderly men, women of different age groups and people who may be prone to fragile bones. There is nothing about any of the studies keeping them from being considered as useful and viable research. The drawback to these studies is the time line. The estrogen study was very long and although the outcomes were very positive and useful for the medical community, replicating the study with a different group of people would be very long process. The first study focusing on physical activity, did not discuss the time line. It is assumed that the activity must be ongoing to keep the results, but how long must if first occur before the results are seen? The Chapuy study also did not discuss a time line. It would be helpful to know how long an elderly woman must take Vitamin D and calcium prior to seeing results. Knowing when it is best to start these supplements is important in the long term health of elderly women. All of these studies could be easily read by both medical professionals and lay persons. Personally, I believe that more medical research should be reported in a format that the typical person can read and understand. This leads to more conversation between doctor and patient and a more proactive approach to health care. Other research should follow the lead of these articles in terms of the readability and usefulness of these studies. A next step would be to publish this type of research in publications that elderly women read as well as professional medical publications. I believe that medical research needs to be shared with more than just the medical community. Works Cited Chapuy, M.C., Arlot, M.E., Duboeuf, F., Brun, J., Crouzet, B., Arnaud, S., Delmas, P. D., Meunier, P.J. (1992). Vitamin D3 and calcium to prevent hip fractures in elderly women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 327, 1637-1642. Felson, D.T., Zhang, Y., Hannan, M.T., Kiel, D.P., Wilson, P., & Anderson, J. (1993). The effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on bone density in elderly women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 329, 1141-1146. Lawlor, D.A., Taylor, M., Bedford, C., 7 Ebrahim, S. (2002). Is housework good for health? Levels of physical activity and factors associated with activity in elderly women. Results from the British women’s heart and health study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 56, 473-478. Read More