How do older women perceive the occupations and activities within their maternal role? Findings from an exploratory survey

BACKGROUND: Participation in meaningful everyday occupations and life-roles is crucial to the health and wellbeing of older adults. However, little is known regarding meaningful life-roles of older women. Although the maternal-role remains meaningful to women throughout their life, previous literature focused on earlier stages of motherhood. AIMS: To describe the occupations and perceptions within the maternal-role of older women. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An online survey was distributed via social media. It included closed and open-ended questions regarding the engagement and relatedness of occupations to the maternal-role; and the perceptions of older women towards their maternal-role. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis was used to analyze data from open-ended questions. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 317 community-dwelling older mothers (aged 65–87). High frequency of engagement and relatedness of occupations to the maternal-role were found. Most participants perceived the maternal-role as a never-ending and evolving life role. Seven categories, describing both ’doing’ and ’being’ aspects of the maternal-role, were identified. CONCLUSION: The maternal-role is meaningful to older women. It continues to develop over time, and includes new occupations which have not been central at earlier stages of motherhood. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings have significant implications for healthcare professionals striving to promote healthy aging by enhancing the participation of older women in meaningful occupations. Further research is needed to broaden the understanding of the unique characteristics of the maternal-role at older age.