Define Ageism
Stereotyping and discriminating against people just because they are old.
What are some factors which could account for the ageing population (7)
- Migration
- Decrease in birth / fertility rates
- Improvements in housing
- Improvements in water supplies
- Improvements in sanitation / sewerage systems
- Improved safety and reduction of injury
- War / genocide
Discuss the health implications of the ageing population (4)
- Need for more geriatricians and health professionals involved in care of the elderly
- Need for more facilities for elderly health care
- Increased prevalence of chronic diseases - the end stage of these diseases needs a lot of palliative care
- More need for specific health promotion campaigns aimed at the elderly
Discuss the social implications of the ageing population (5)
- Increasingly dependent on families / carers who are also ageing
- More demand for home carers / nursing homes
- More emphasis on providing social activities for elderly in communities
- Change of role of elderly as grandparents and carers of grandchildren is likely to change
- Increased housing demands as more elderly people live alone
Discuss the economic implications of the ageing population (4)
- Harder for young to find employment, as older people being required to work for longer
- Proportionately less people paying into tax and pension funds, making it increasingly difficult to obtain an adequate return from pension funds
- Those elderly who have not contributed to a private pension fund may find that the state pension is inadequate, resulting in poverty.
- Increased cost for healthcare for elderly
Discuss the political implications of the ageing population (2)
- Current decision making and workforce planning must take account of the ageing population
- The increasing elderly population may have power to influence political decision making for their specific concerns
What are the different roles of a carer (from most to least common) (7)
- Provide practical help: meal prep, laundry or shopping
- Keep an eye on the person they care for
- Company
- Take person out
- Financial matters
- Help deal with care services and benefits
- Help with aspects of personal care
What are the different types of carers (5)
- Children / In-Laws
- Spouse / Partner
- Parents looking after disabled children
- Grandchildren / other relative
- Neighbour / friend
What are the different impacts of caring (6)
- Drop in household income
- Having to cut back on essentials like food and heating
- Financial circumstances affecting health.
- Missed out on financial support as a result of not getting the right information and advice.
- Worried about the impact of caring on their relationships with friends and family.
- Feel society does not think about them at all
Definition of multi-morbidity
The co-existence of two or more long-term conditions in an individual
Options for care (5)
- Living in own home with support from family
- Living in own home with support from social services
- Sheltered Housing
- Residential Home
- Nursing Home Care
What legal aspects need to be considered with anticipatory care planning (3)
- Welfare power of attorney
- Financial power of attorney
- Guardianship
What personal aspects need to be considered with anticipatory care planning (8)
- Statement of wishes regarding treatment/advance directive
- Preferences and priorities regarding treatment
- Preferred place of death
- Next of kin
- Who else to consult/inform
- Consent to pass on information to relevant others
- Religious and cultural beliefs re death
- Current level of support e.g. family/carers
What medical aspects need to be considered with anticipatory care planning (9)
- Potential problems
- Home care package
- Wishes re DNA CPR
- Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines
- Communication which has occurred with other professionals
- Details of “just-in-case” medicines
- Electronic care summary
- Assessment of capacity/competence
- Current aids and appliances (helps assess current functional level)
What is anticipatory care plans
Promotes discussion in which individuals, their care providers and often those close to them, make decisions with respect to their future health or personal and practical aspects of care
