LAY EXPLANATIONS OF CHRONIC ILLNESS IN LATER LIFE

This study explores lay explanations of chronic illness in later life. More specifically, perceived causes, treatment strategies, and percei ved outcomes of arthritis and heart/circulatory problems from the pers pective of older adults who have such problems are examined. Variation s in these explanations according to selected sociodemographic and hea lth status characteristics are explored. Among the arthritis sufferers , the most prevalent explanations were physical work/working condition s, age, and injury, whereas those with heart/circulatory problems most often explained the cause as due to tension/stress, physiology, or he redity. A variety of treatments were identified, including doing nothi ng, seeking or continuing medical treatment, altering Lifestyle, and u sing folk remedies. Selected sociodemographic and health status charac teristics appear important for understanding explanations about arthri tis, although it is primarily health status indicators that emerge for heart/circulatory problems. Directions for future research are highli ghted.