LATINO CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF POSITIVE AGING - FOCUS GROUP RESULTS. (16th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howe, M; Piedra, L; Ridings, J; Howard, A; Smith, J; O'Brien, C; Conrad, K
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 922
• Page End: 922
• Publication Date: 2018-11-16
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy031.3430
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Older Latinos are a rapidly growing segment of the older adult population in the United States. Yet few studies have addressed how Latino older adults conceptualize "aging well, " "positively, " or "successfully, " or if/how those conceptualizations tend to vary between older Latinos from diverse national, ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Cross-cultural differences in conceptualizations of what it means to age positively need to be taken into account when tailoring interventions aimed at supporting older adults. This late-breaker poster begins to address this gap by showcasing results from focus group data collected from (N = 101) Latino older adults during 9 focus group sessions (conducted February - April 2018) in Cook County, Illinois. Latino participants ages 55 and older were asked to brainstorm and discuss what thoughts phrases like, "positive aging" or "successful aging" or "aging well, " bring to mind. Six audio-recorded focus groups were conducted in Spanish and three in English. Statements were written down by researchers during the focus groups and while listening back to the audio-recordings. With assistance from members of our Steering Committee, we eliminated duplicitous and irrelevant statements. Eighty-five (85) statements resulting from these brainstorming sessions are presented in Spanish and English. Data collection was conducted as part of the Positive Aging for Latinos Study (PALS), with regular input from a Steering Committee of local experts (Latino community leaders and researchers) and thanks to grants from Mather LifeWays and the Healthy Communities Foundation to NORC at the University of Chicago.