Behavioural Science Section

Self-Care Dimensions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Older Adults
Kristine Votova^a, Andrew V. Wister<sup>b

a</sup>Department of Sociology, University of Victoria, Victoria, and
^bDepartment of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada

Address of Corresponding Author

Gerontology 2007;53:21-27 (DOI: 10.1159/000095681)

  Key Words

• Complementary and alternative medicine
• Older adults
• Health beliefs

  Abstract

Background: There is a lack of understanding about the patterns and rates of CAM use among older adults owing to a lack of research on specific types of CAM. Objectives: This study examines several dimensions of self-care deemed to be associated with CAM. Unmet health care needs, self-care attitudes, and spirituality are interpreted as health belief structures underlying CAM. Methods: Logistic regression analysis was used to examine use of three groups of practitioner-based CAM: (a) chiropractic; (b) massage, and (c) acupuncture, homeopathy and/or naturopathy use. We analyze a subsample of 4,401 older adults drawn from the 1996/1997 and 1998/1999 waves of the Canadian National Population Health Survey. Results: The logistic regression analyses indicate that self-care attitude and spirituality represent important predictors of practitioner-based CAM use. The associations for unmet health care needs were not supported. The strongest factors associated with CAM use were the illness context variables, which suggest that measures of need are key factors in leading individuals to seek other forms of health care. Discussion: Practitioner-based CAM use among older adults is influenced by self-care attitude and spirituality, in addition to health status, but to varying degrees depending on the type of CAM. Support of these self-care facets suggests that there is a desire on the part of consumers to exercise choice and to participate in health care decisions when considering CAM.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. Andrew V. Wister
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University
Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St.
Vancouver V6B 5K3 (Canada)
Tel. +1 604 291 5044, Fax +1 604 291 5066, E-Mail wister@sfu.ca

  Article Information

Received: March 6, 2006
Accepted: July 28, 2006
Published online: September 8, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 29