The Empowerment of Older Mothers and Daughters: Rehabilitation Strategies Following a Hip Fracture

Empowerment was a major concept that emerged from a grounded theory study of 6 older mother–daughter dyads when the mother experienced a hip fracture. Modeling courage and sharing ideas were key components of empowerment. Modeling courage enabled mothers and daughters to retain strength in the face of pain and difficulties. Sharing ideas involved suggestions about physical rehabilitation, ways to access medical and legal information, as well as life philosophies. In this article, the process of empowerment is described. Recommendations are made to improve the lives of older women and their daughters during and after a hip fracture.