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Older Adults: Women Vs Men
In older adults, many factors attribute to the gender differences found in society. There is
a wide gap in economic status between men and women, and more often than not this affects
many aspects of their lives such as health and sustainability. Certain roles played by each gender
contribute to their decision-making process and outlook on life itself. Values are gained not only
from culture and religion, but from experience gathered during the individual’s life.
Healthcare
With the frequent advances in healthcare, many adults are living well beyond their
previous life expectancies. Keeping individuals alive longer may have its perks but can also put a
strain on the economy and loved ones as the need for healthcare increases. Women have been
found to have a longer lifespan than men, but often with more disabilities. Men have more life-
threatening illnesses, such as heart attacks or other cardiac difficulties, which decrease their
chances of survival (Bookwala et al., 2001). Women in the U.S. over 75 years of age are three
times more likely to be widowed than men (Tracton-Bishop, n.d.).
Healthcare services are used more often by women, and therefore they are more likely to
report their disabilities than men. Women have higher rates of chronic conditions that are not life
threatening, such as arthritis and varicose veins, but cause limited physical mobility (Bookwala
et al., 2001). Men are less prone to fractures and joint pain which contribute to most reported
cases of disability and limited mobility (Murtagh & Hubert, 2004). Health issues such as
fractures, back problems, and increased medication use appear to cause more disability than
osteoarthritis (Murtagh & Hubert, 2004) in women. This can essentially increase the likelihood
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of chronic illnesses that contribute to functional limitations. Factors such as marriage and a
greater income help to contribute to the gender differences in disability.
Economic Status
10.7 million out of a 34.9 million population of older women beyond the age of 55 are
either still in the workforce or actively seeking employment (Tracton-Bishop, n.d.). Women are
more likely to be employed in part-time positions that offer no retirement plans in comparison to
men, and lack financial security. Men out earn their women counterparts, earning over half of
their annual incomes. In a U.S. 2004 study on median income, men ranging from 55-64 years of
age earned $39,212 while women earned only $20,810 (Tracton-Bishop, n.d.)—over a $10,000
difference.
Due to lower earnings, women are more likely to live under the poverty line. They have
been found to make up the majority of Social Security benefit recipients, and are often
financially dependent upon it due to no other forms of income (Tracton-Bishop, n.d.).
There are a number of factors that contribute to the lower earnings of women when
compared to men. Women often take on the role of caregivers to their loved ones, such as
children and parents, and play a more active role with managing family responsibilities which
can essentially affect their ability to work. Others may live solely under the income of their
husbands, and experience financial turmoil due to a life change such as the death of their spouse
or divorce.
Sex discrimination in the workplace also leads to lower earnings even when women are
employed within the same position as their male coworkers. Lower earnings leave older women
with less income from pensions, and those who sought employment for a position that does not
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offer a retirement savings may find it difficult to make ends meet without picking up a side job to
bridge the gap.
Living Arrangements
As age increases, the chances of a living arrangement change becomes greater. From an
analysis in older adults between the ages of 55 and 65, living alone or with a spouse was found to
be the most stable living arrangement (Wilmoth, 1998). More women than men have had to
become nursing home residents (Tracton-Bishop, n.d.) due to the loss of their spouse and a
greater risk for disabilities that require assistance. Older adults that live with their children have
one of the highest risks for a potential change in living arrangements (Wilmoth, 1998). Factors
such as the child moving out of the household and getting married contribute to the changes. At
age 55, 98% of household changes result in the adult living alone, but as the adult ages the
percentage decreases (Wilmoth, 1998).
Social Support
Social support is important for maintaining good health, especially in older adults.
Isolation caused by tarnished relationships or depression may ultimately result in poor physical
and mental health. Older men have a smaller network of social supporters than women, receiving
most of their reassurance from just their wives (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987). Alternative to the
men who reported receiving reassurance from their spouses, wives have reported receiving less
support from their husbands and confide more in their children who are likely to become their
caregivers (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987).
Women reportedly receive greater support from their children and friends than men, and
are often more willing to confide in others (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987). Their networks
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consist of a broad range of individuals who serve multiple purposes. With a larger network of
supporters, one is able to receive a greater amount of support and understanding. This makes it
easier to talk through tense situations and to get help when it is sought.
During stressful moments in life, men have a more difficult time seeking out and
receiving wanted support (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987), which may be a direct result of a small
network of supporters. Ironically, men are happier when networks are small and they have a
sense of satisfaction with friends yet women prefer to keep their networks large (Antonucci &
Akiyama, 1987).
Acceptance of Deathand End-of-Life Values
Men and women have varying values when it comes to making end-of-life decisions.
Many factors contribute to the decision-making process such as religion, pain and suffering,
being a burden, and wanting a respectable death (Bookwala et al., 2001).
Women fear death more than men, and many wish to hasten their expiration instead of
prolonging it through treatment in order to avoid having to be cared for (Carr & Moorman,
2009). Women have a longer life expectancy, and therefore experience the loss of loved ones
more often than men. Men are more likely to accept life sustaining care for terminal illnesses
than women (Carr & Moorman, 2009).
Many women have experienced firsthand what being a caregiver entails, and therefore
they know the emotional and financial burden it can put on loved ones. Many older adults
receive care from their children, who may also have a family of their own to tend to or life plans
that must be put on hold for their care. Spouses also take on the active role of a caregiver, in
which a considerable amount of time must be dedicated to the needs of their loved one. This
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causes fear of being a burden which has been associated with women’s decisions to refuse
treatment by resuscitation, ventilation, and feeding tubes (Carr & Moorman, 2009). When
making life decisions, men are more confident during the decision-making process and less
likely to stop treatment. Witnessing loved ones dying painfully from illnesses also contributes to
women’s decisions to reject receiving treatment (Carr & Moorman, 2009).
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References
Antonucci, T. C., & Akiyama, H. (1987). An examination of sex differences in social support
among older men and women. Sex Roles, 17(11-12), 737-749. doi:10.1007/bf00287685
Bookwala, J., Coppola, K. M., Fagerlin, A., Ditto, P. H., Danks, J. H., & Smucker, W. D. (2001).
Gender Differences In Older Adults' Preferences For Life-Sustaining Medical Treatments
And End-Of-Life Values. Death Studies, 25(2), 127-149. doi:10.1080/074811801461919
Cameron, K. A., Song, J., Manheim, L. M., & Dunlop, D. D. (2010). Gender Disparities in
Health and Healthcare Use Among Older Adults. Journal of Women's Health, 19(9),
1643-1650. doi:10.1089/jwh.2009.1701
Carr, D., & Moorman, S. M. (2009). End-of-Life Treatment Preferences Among Older Adults:
An Assessment of Psychosocial Influences. Sociological Forum, 24(4), 754-778.
doi:10.1111/j.1573-7861.2009.01135.x
Murtagh, K. N., & Hubert, H. B. (2004). Gender Differences in Physical Disability Among an
Elderly Cohort. American Journal of Public Health, 94(8), 1406-1411.
doi:10.2105/ajph.94.8.1406
Tracton-Bishop, B. H. (n.d.). WOMEN AND AGING FACT SHEET [PDF].
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Wilmoth, J. M. (1998). Living Arrangement Transitions among America's Older Adults. The
Gerontologist, 38(4), 434-444. doi:10.1093/geront/38.4.434
