Complementary and alternative medicine

Abstract

Among the most frequently cited reasons for use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are quality of life issues, prevention of illness, coping with a chronic illness, and boosting the immune system. Getting older is associated with an increase in all these concerns, and the use of CAM is pertinent to any discussion of older women. Indeed, the prevalence of chronic conditions is a reliable predictor of CAM utilization. In addition, the most common reason for CAM use is dissatisfaction and failure of conventional medical care.