Health problems and health actions among community-dwelling older adults: results of a health diary study

This study examined the health problems and health actions reported by a sample of older adults (N = 60) who maintained health diaries over a 4-week period. The diary sample was 78% (n = 47) White; 52% (n = 31) were women, with a mean age of 75 years (SD = 5.3). Content analysis was used to examine the types of health problems reported in the diaries, which health problems were likely to be considered an illness, and what health actions were reported. Respondents reported an average of four different types of health problems over the 4-week diary period. There were differences in symptom reports related to gender, age, or race. The most frequently reported health problems were musculoskeletal problems (n = 38), runny nose and respiratory problems (n = 24), gastrointestinal problems (n = 22), and headaches (n = 22). Only 36% of all health problems were considered to be illnesses. Subjects recorded a number of health actions in response to their health complaints, including over-the-counter (OTC) medication use (83%), prescription medication use (53%), self-care activities (72%), and professional consultation (43%). Specific strategies that subjects used to deal with various health problems, implications of the findings, and the usefulness of health diaries as a clinical tool are discussed.