Students will be able to
- describe the role of public health in dealing with a special population, the senior citizens
- describe the criteria for labeling a person aged
- describe the elements of aging
- describe governmental agencies responsible for assisting/ measuring aging
- describe non governmental agencies who assist aging persons.
- describe how ageing can be expected to affect public health services over the next 25 years.
- Competencies 1C (1,2, 7,8) !D (1,2,3,5,7,10) 1E(1`,4,6,9) IIA (1,2,3,4,)
Key Words
Aging, aged, seniors, nursing homes, homes for the aged, retirement centers, senior citizens advocacy, home visiting, senior centers, mental health and aging, Alzheimer's diseases, Parkinson's disease, Osteoporosis, chronic diseases.
Concept:
Aging starts at birth. Getting older is not necessarily accompanied by significant declines in either physical or mental function. There are many resources available to assist people as they age. Misunderstanding and lack of knowledge is the greatest detriment to health maintenance while aging.
References:
Schneider 2nd Edn: Introduction to Public Health - Chapter 28
Consider The UK definition of aging, the second heading on the page - Ageing and the Life Course.
Data from the US Census Bureau, March 2006: People in the United States are
living longer and healthier lives
than ever before. Average life
expectancy at birth rose from 47.3
in 1900 to 76.9 in 2000. US Census Newsroom
• The social and economic implications of the aging of the Baby Boom generation will be a significant concern for policy makers, the private sector, and individuals. The size and longevity of this group will trigger debate about possible modifications to Social Security, Medicare, and disability and retirement benefits, among other issues. What is happening to the population pyramid. Look at how longevity has changed since 1900.
• The changing marital and family composition that is occurring in the United States is likely to change the types of familial support that are available to people at older ages.
• The future older population is likely to be better educated than the current older population, especially when Baby Boomers start reaching age 65. Their increased levels of education may accompany better health, higher incomes, and more wealth, and consequently higher standards of living in retirement.
• Older women will be increasingly more likely to have been in the labor force long enough to have their own retirement income, although their lower median earnings may translate into lower incomes in retirement.
• Research on genetic, biological, and physiological aspects of aging is likely to change the future for the older population. In the medical and public health arenas, research to understand chronic diseases, such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, may produce significant improvements for treatment and prevention.
Think about the changing use of health services as the population ages and its ramifications.
Review Dr Cotter's: Slides handouts (Original PPT - 2.9mgb download)
Clips from PBS Hone Video - Living OLD (PBS Video_ The time stamps on the PBS On-Line video are not identical to those on the DVD, but start each chapter until you believe you understand the main point to be made and you will have the clip contents.)
- HOW do you view as "Old" 2:00 - 5:00 mins
- Incrasing nmber so elderly- Living under supervision. 6.50:9:00 Mins
- Who cares for the elderly 17:20 - 20:10 (Warehousing the elderly)
- Environment of Homes of the Aged. 25:10-28:00
- Dying Old Feeling Well. 35:00-39:00
- EOL Decisions. 45:00- 56:00
Review the .pdf file CDC's State of Aging Report with particular attention to the discussion starting page 26. You may also want to review the report from the National Association of State Units on Aging and compare its comments with those in the CDC report (pay particular attention to page 3, PH & aging; exhibit 3, page 4;exhibit 8, p 11; barriers to health p12; and discussion page 22-24); . A recent concern has been with Older Driver Safety, see web site.
David Broooks in the NYT "Longer LIves - The Ties that Bind Us."
DVD- Living Old Excerpts & Discussion, Web Site
WHO - Ageing.
American dream: Live long and prosper
Mayo Clinic Study on Aging (July 2006)
The Aging Network When on the web page select the "Tool & Resources" link for further information about the members of the netwqork.
KFF: Employees & aging relatives (July 2006)
Videos on the Future of Aging.
New Readings 2009(scan only)
Editorial on Aging AJPH
Conquering old age (Editorial BMJ-July 08)
Biological
timers may be telomeres
Who Pays for Long Term Care (Pooicy Analysis for refernce)
Worldwide Rise of Chronic Disease
Dying at Home
Being Elderly is not a disease.
Bereavement Adjustment (Sept 08 JAMA)
Videocast Sept 25, 2006. Public Health Grand Round "Helping Older Adults Live Longer"
For those interested in pursuing this topic further "The Epidemiology of Aging", William A Satariano. James & Bartlett, 2006