aging population
decline in cognition
wellbeing paradox: older adults increase their positive experience with life»_space; low at 30, then increases!»_space; goes well until 4th stage (very old)
- still true even with increasing physical and cognitive decline
models of successful aging
People are active agents that navigate through life by setting and pursuing goals»_space; moving closer to goals is good for your well-being
Goals: cognitive representations of the self in the future
Problem: what if health limits goal pursuit → physical in capability → not enough strength
Goal adjustment and well-being
Eg. farmer aging → must pass on Farm to kids → instead, grow a vegetable garden → gets even older → switch to potted plants → breaking things down into sub goals that are manageable
Let go of goals that are too challenging and ALSO look for an alternative
Goals reflect changing themes of life
Eg. middle-age = work goals, uni = academic goals
older adulthood: generativity ( leaving a legacy/ legacy, contribution)
symbolic immortality: a sense of continuity of one’s life beyond death»_space; associated with enhanced meaning as people confront their own mortality
the experience corps program
experience corps intervention:
primal pathways: physical activity, social engagement, cognitive stimulation
mechanisms:
- functional parameters: inc strength/balance, dec falls
- physiological parameters: dec insulin resistance, dec BP
- cognitive parameters: inc cognitive reserve, changes in brain structure and function
outcomes: physical function (mobility), global function, quality of life, cognitive function, healthcare costs
old age has many faces
“third” vs “fourth” stage
- “old age” is not a uniform experience»_space; extends over multiple decades
good news: third stage = “young old” (60-85)
not-so-good news: fourth stage = “oldest old” (85+)
*above age 70, life satisfaction states declining»_space; close to death, life satisfaction declines rapidly
adding life to years
- compression of morbidity (present vs life extension vs compression)
present: early short slope, then death
life extension: long slope, then death»_space; keeping people alive longer is just prolonging the time spent in chronic illness
compression of morbidity: late short slope, then death»_space; want to extend life but also decrease time spent in morbidity (prevention and healthy lifestyles)
how to compress morbidity
runner study
*aging is a different process for diff ppl!
Who uses health services?
- health risks, age, gender, sES
factors affecting symptom recognition
- age, culture, situation, personality, mood
interpretation of symptoms
Treatment delay
time between recognition of symptom and obtaining treatment»_space; an indiv is aware of the need to seek treatment but puts off doing so
Problems:
emotional factors:
Delay behaviour
treatment non-adherence
Factors impacting adherence (8)
creative/rational non-adherence (5)
involves modifying a prescribed treatment regimen
antibiotics non-adherence
patient-provider communication
Poor communication: need to give patient time to process diagnosis; wait until they are ready to hear it, have more empathy»_space; patient should bring someone with them for testing (to hear news for them/take notes)
Problems with communication
- jargon (4), not listening, baby talk, stereotypes (2)
Patient factors
distinguishing symptoms
social relationships and health
Measures:
marital relationship: stakes in e/o health»_space; first line of defense (social support)»_space; exposed to same stressors (live together)