COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS

NCM 114 Gerontology Nursing

MIDTERM COVERAGE

LESSON 1

PLANNING FOR HEATH PROMOTION, HEALTH MAINTENANCE, AND HOME

HEALTH CONSIDERATION IN THE OLDER ADULT

INTRODUCTION
The way you view aging and older adults is often a product of your
environment and the experiences to which you have been exposed. Negative
attitudes toward aging or older adults (ageism) often arise in the same way—
from negative past experiences.
Many of our attitudes and ideas about older adults may not be grounded
in fact. This is one reason for studying the aging process—to examine the myths
and realities, to separate fact from fiction, and to gain an appreciation for what older
adults have to offer. As a nurse you will have the opportunity to influence in a
positive way the lives of older adults and their families.

THE AGING POPULATION: OVERVIEW FROM WORLD HEALTH

ORGANIZATION

 Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60
years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.
 By 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older will outnumber
children younger than 5 years.
 In 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income
countries.
 The pace of population ageing is much faster than in the past.
 All countries face major challenges to ensure that their health and social
systems are ready to make the most of this demographic shift.
People worldwide are living longer..

The pace of population ageing around the world is also increasing dramatically.

A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families,
but also for societies as a whole.
 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS
NCM 114 Gerontology Nursing
MIDTERM COVERAGE

If people can experience these extra years of life in good health and if they live in a
supportive environment, their ability to do the things they value will be little different
from that of a younger person.
Beyond biological changes, ageing is also associated with other life transitions such
as retirement, relocation to more appropriate housing, and the death of friends and
partners. In developing a public-health response to ageing, it is important not just to
consider approaches that ameliorate the losses associated with older age, but also
those that may reinforce recovery, adaptation and psychosocial growth.
https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health

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Planning for Health Promotion

What is health promotion?

Health promotion enables people to increase control over their own health. It covers
a wide range of social and environmental interventions that are designed to benefit
and protect individual people’s health and quality of life by addressing and
preventing the root causes of ill health, not just focusing on treatment and cure.

There are 3 key elements of health promotion:

1. Good governance for health

2. Health literacy

3. Healthy cities
 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS
NCM 114 Gerontology Nursing
MIDTERM COVERAGE

Components in Health Promotion

Health promotion works, no matter what one’s age, and even after decades
of practicing unhealthy habits. But it does not work for everyone, all the time.

Health promotion is meant for the entire population. The elderly have
long been neglected as the addressee of health promotion activities. The need
to promote health among older people was first highlighted in the 1990s

Most of these health promotion activities among the elderly focus on the
relatively younger seniors. Health promotion targeted to older people differs
significantly from that addressing younger generations.

Health promotion programs for the elderly have to account for these
limitations in health and daily activities, and require more involvement of
professional health promoters and more individualized approaches.

Health promotion strategies for the elderly generally have three basic
aims: maintaining and increasing functional capacity, maintaining or
improving self-care [4], and stimulating one’s social network . The idea behind
these strategies is to contribute to a longer, independent and self-sufficient quality of life [6

https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-016-1514-3

Planning for Successful Aging

Growing older forces change. And that change often impacts areas of life such as
living choices, driving, relationships and dating, financial choices, health and end of
life. What if you could no longer remain at home without help? How do you tell your
adult children you’re dating? What will you do if you can’t drive or you have to tell
someone you love that he or she shouldn’t? Making decisions, identifying choices
and conveying wishes are an important part of the road ahead. That doesn’t
always happen. Planning for aging.pdf
 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS
NCM 114 Gerontology Nursing
MIDTERM COVERAGE

What is Successful Aging, and Who defines it

By: Ann Bowling, Paul Dieppe

Biomedical theories define successful ageing largely in terms of the optimization of

life expectancy while minimizing physical and mental deterioration and disability.
Psychosocial approaches While the biomedical model emphasizes absence of
disease and the maintenance of physical and mental functioning as the keys to
ageing successfully, sociopsychological models emphasizes life satisfaction, social
participation and functioning, and psychological resources, including personal
growth. Satisfaction with one’s past and present life has been the most commonly
proposed definition of successful ageing, and is also the most commonly
investigated. Its components include zest, resolution and fortitude, happiness,
relationships between desired and achieved goals, self concept, morale, mood, and
overall wellbeing.
Continued Social Functioning is another commonly proposed domain of
successful ageing. It encompasses high levels of ability in social role functioning,
positive interactions or relationships with others, social integration, and reciprocal
participation in society. Suggested psychological resources for successful ageing
include a positive outlook and self worth, self efficacy or sense of control over life,
autonomy and independence, and effective coping and adaptive strategies in the
face of changing circumstances.
Lay views. Their definitions include mental, psychological, physical, and social
health; functioning and resources; life satisfaction; having a sense of purpose;
financial security; learning new things; accomplishments; physical appearance;
productivity; contribution to life; sense of humour; and spirituality.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1322264/pdf/bmj33101548.pdf
 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS
NCM 114 Gerontology Nursing
MIDTERM COVERAGE

Types of Facilities in the Care of the Older Adult

Independent Living Apartments

Independent living apartments are ideal for seniors who do not need personal or
medical care but who would like to live with other seniors who share similar interests.
In most independent living facilities seniors can take advantage of planned
community events, field trips, shopping excursions and on-premise projects. These
apartments are not licensed or regulated.

Adult Homes

Adult homes are licensed and regulated for temporary or long-term residence by
adults unable to live independently. They usually include supervision, personal care,
housekeeping, and three meals a day.

Assisted Living Program (ALP)

An excellent alternative to nursing homes for seniors who need help with their daily
routines, but who do not need 24-hour care. Room, board, case management, and
skilled nursing services come from an outside agency. This program accepts
Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and home relief recipients.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (Lifecare Communities )

Continuing care communities offer a variety of facilities, from assisted living to

nursing home, all on one campus. They guarantee “aging in place,” that is, the
resident can move from one level of care to the next as needs change. For residents,
the transition to a nursing home is easier, because they are able to remain in familiar
surroundings. They may require buy-in, or an up-front annuity purchase followed by
monthly payments which cover services, amenities and needed medical care.

Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility)

Nursing homes offer 24-hour-a-day care for those who can no longer live
independently. In nursing homes, trained medical professionals provide specialized
care to seniors with severe illnesses or injuries. Specially trained staff assist
residents with daily activities such as bathing, eating, laundry and housekeeping.
They may specialize in short-term or acute nursing care, intermediate care or long-
term skilled nursing care. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/senior-health/long-
term-care/facility-types.aspx
 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS
NCM 114 Gerontology Nursing
MIDTERM COVERAGE

Geriatric Units in acute Care Setting

Geriatric units within teaching hospitals have further variations in structure and
theme with the addition of research and educational programs.
Some inpatient geriatric units in acute-care hospitals focus on comprehensive
assessment and short-term treatment of acutely ill patients without providing
extensive rehabilitative therapy. Some units are basically chronic care facilities but
with the important addition of assessment and intensive rehabilitation. Outpatient
units generally provide assessment and placement services without rehabilitation