Older Women's  Everyday Life in the Canary Islands

Elvira Molina Fernández; Fernando Barragán Medero

doi:10.57655/EXLIBRIS_2_2024_2

Published : 2025-01-31

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2024)

Older Women's Everyday Life in the Canary Islands

Elvira Molina Fernández

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4459-5213

Fernando Barragán Medero

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4554-5277

DOI: https://doi.org/10.57655/EXLIBRIS_2_2024_2

Abstract

This research aims to a) understand the implications of aging for older women in rural contexts, b) reflect on the impact of public services for older adults, and c) propose lines of action to increase the quality of life of older women. To this end, a qualitative study was designed in which 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with women over 60 years of age in rural contexts on the island of Tenerife (Spain). The interviews addressed these three thematic dimensions: 1) being a woman and an older person, 2) the role in society, and 3) the personal project. A subcategory related to the meaning of care emerged from the responses, which is the one presented in this article. The results speak of the care older women provide throughout their lives, including in old age, to their descendants and ascendants. However, social mandates do not ensure the same response when care refers to their needs. The future of their care, the need for care planning, or even the consideration of their opinion is a matter of doubt. We conclude by focusing on the need to review and reflect on the principles on which the responses to the needs of older adults are based and propose the incorporation of tenderness, the democratic perspective, and care for older persons.

Keywords:

older women, care, qualitative research

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Fernández, E. M., & Medero, F. B. (2025). Older Women’s Everyday Life in the Canary Islands. Exlibris Social Gerontology Journal, 27(2), 29–47. https://doi.org/10.57655/EXLIBRIS_2_2024_2

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