Midlife and older women's experiences and advice about sex with men, risk behaviors, and HIV prevention education.

This article reports on older women's experiences and advice on condom use, male-female relationships, HIV risk, and prevention education. It reports on findings from five written, open-ended questions with 110 ethnically and economically diverse women, 40-80 years old. Analysis revealed four themes: (a) Gap between condom use advice and condom use behavior; (b) invisibility with age; (c) negative expectations of men; and (d) desire for education that breaks the silence on sex. The article discusses the meaning of the findings as they relate to current knowledge about HIV prevention education and midlife and older women and offers recommendations for research and education.

Relationship Power, Sexual Decision Making, and HIV Risk Among Midlife and Older Women.

The number of midlife and older women with HIV/AIDS is high and increasing, especially among women of color. This article addresses these demographic realities by reporting on findings about self-esteem, relationship power, and HIV risk from a pilot study of midlife and older women. A purposive sample (N = 110) of ethnically, economically, and educationally diverse women 40 years and older from the Greater Los Angeles Area was surveyed to determine their levels of self-esteem, general relationship power, sexual decision-making power, safer sex behaviors, and HIV knowledge. Women with higher levels of self-esteem exercised greater power in their relationships with their partner. Women with higher levels of general relationship power and self-esteem tend to exercise greater power in sexual decision making, such as having sex and choosing sexual acts. Income and sexual decision-making power were statistically significant in predicting the use of condoms. Implications and recommendations for future HIV/AIDS research and intervention targeting midlife and older women are presented.

Keeping your eye on the process: body image, older women, and countertransference.

Research on body image and older women has grown in the past decade. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding body image, older women, and countertransference. This article provides 7 case examples of racially and ethnically diverse women over 60, drawn from MSW student and agency staff supervision, and participant feedback from a national conference on aging workshop. Themes related to loss and grief, adult daughter and aging mother issues, incest, anger, disability, personality disorders, phobic reactions, and shame are discussed. Recommendations and implications for social work practice, education and research are provided.

Beyond money and survival: the meaning of paid work among older women.

This article explores the meaning and experiences of paid work for older women. Taped, in-person interviews were conducted with 53 ethnically and economically diverse women, 55 to 84 years old. The interview guide contained open-ended questions regarding the meaning of work, reasons for working, and the centrality of work to personal identity. Participants discussed the following topics: independence from men; lost dreams and regrets related to paid work and educational opportunities; being responded to as mother by co-workers and supervisors; and working above and beyond the call of duty.

Meaning of housework and other unpaid responsibilities among older women.

This study explores the meaning and conditions of housework and other unpaid responsibilities for older women. Taped, in-person interviews were conducted with 53 ethnically and economically diverse women, 55-84 years old. The interview guide contained open-ended questions regarding the process of taking on housework and other unpaid responsibilities and the centrality to personal identity. Participants reported shifts in perceptions of housework as work, decreased importance of housework with age, the attitude of care recipients affecting the experience and meaning of unpaid responsibilities, and the impact of historical racist events on viewing unpaid responsibilities as opportunity.

Developing and implementing an HIV/AIDS educational curriculum for older adults.

PURPOSE: Recent data (2002) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that almost 11% of all cases of AIDS were diagnosed in people 50 and older. Despite the steady rise and future projections of increase, there is still a paucity of education and prevention programs targeting this population. This article reports on the development and piloting of an HIV/AIDS education prevention program. It describes an educational curriculum that provides older adults with accurate information about the relevance of HIV/AIDS to their lives. DESIGN AND METHODS: A purposive sample (n = 249) of ethnically and economically diverse adults 50 years and older was selected from 14 organizations in rural and urban settings in California. They were surveyed to determine their interest in participating in HIV/AIDS education prevention programs. RESULTS: A majority of participants reported interest in an HIV/AIDS prevention program for older people, with female respondents more likely to attend than male respondents. Participants who were moderately or very religious were also more likely to attend. Participants expressed preference for prevention education through presentations at centers serving older adults, and from physicians and other health care providers. On the basis of these findings, a specialized curriculum targeting older adults was developed, presented, and disseminated. IMPLICATIONS: People 50 years and older are sexually active, lack accurate information about HIV/AIDS, and are in need of HIV/AIDS education.

Psychodynamic time-limited groups for adult children of aging parents.

A short-term therapy group for adults with aging parents is described. This group model relies heavily on a careful screening process in order to identify individuals best able to focus on intrapsychic issues. The developmental crisis of adult children of aging parents and the beginning process of conflict resolution are illustrated through case material that highlights key psychodynamic issues.