Health needs of older women in northern British Columbia.

This thesis explores the self-identified determinants of health most salient to women 65 years and older in northern British Columbia (BC). The idea of this research evolved out of a larger project based on a grant awarded to Northern Health from the BC Provincial Women's Health Network to explore these issues in women 45 years and older. Almost five hundred women from across the North contributed to the larger project through surveys and focus groups. From the larger sample a subset of the data from women 65 years and older was extracted (n=179) for further analysis, and to form the basis for this thesis. Descriptive statistics and summative themes enhanced with participant quotations have all been used to present the findings. Aspects of intersectionality provided a lens through which the data was analyzed, and social constructionism was the theoretical framework. The strongest themes which emerged out of the data are related to accessibility of care and affordable supports functionality and independence social supports and community connectedness and the role of caregiving. This thesis offers a number of recommendations based on the research findings. Study challenges and limitations are also outlined as are suggestions for future research related to women's health and wellness in northern BC.