Health Psycho: Age and Health PDF

Health psycho Age and health Increasing life expectancy and falling birth rate are leading to an expansion of the older population Life expectancy 2022 (BFS, 2024) – Men: 81.6 years – Women: 85.4 years The likelihood of (multiple) diseases also increases wit...

Health psycho Age and health Increasing life expectancy and falling birth rate are leading to an expansion of the older population Life expectancy 2022 (BFS, 2024) – Men: 81.6 years – Women: 85.4 years The likelihood of (multiple) diseases also increases with age: multimorbidity Age research: – Third stage of life: 65 – 84 years – Fourth stage of life 85 years and older «The longer an older person remains healthy, the more likely they can follow an independent and responsible life, pursue their individual goals and maintain their quality of life.» (Brinkmann, 2021) − Life-Span-Psychology: People of all ages must deal with changes, crises, and tasks − Plasticity: Ability of an organism to adapt to new requirements and conditions Successful aging "Successful aging": being or remaining satisfied when an old person's circumstances change.– Satisfaction: subjectively perceived state Satisfaction levels among older people are often higher compared to younger people (z.B. Mahne et al., 2017) How do old people manage to remain satisfied despite changed circumstances (characterized by physical and social loss) ? Subjective health is strongly influenced by life satisfaction, social support, coping skills, processes of social comparison and individual beliefs of control. Old age and health Health-related quality of life: – Physical problems – Mental health – Functional limitations (scope of action) – Impairment of social relationships and interactions Psychological and social factors:  - Experiences of loss: e.g., decline in physical functions, retirement (loss of status), death of a close other - Optimism & resilience are important mediators for the evaluation of one's own health status: e.g., longer life for people who are more optimistic about their own health status than it is.  How people evaluate their own health state, can deal with stressful situations more easily for example - Social inequality: length of life correlates with income, educational and occupational status Self-regulation in old age Adaptation as a psychosocial process - Maintaining activity after role change (e.g., retirement) Adaptation as a coping process - Cognitive coping central to adjustment and adaptation processes - Selection processes - Internal control beliefs: help to process changes positively and buffer the effects of stressors → people with internal control beliefs are more likely to behave in a health-promoting way SOC-Model (Baltes & Baltes, 1990) Coping with age-related limitations and disabilities is promoted by:– - Selection: selection and modification of goals, expectations, & wishes - Optimization: strengthening and using existing abilities & resources - Compensation: searching for new ways & learning coping strategies Quality of life can remain high despite impairments Prevention in old age Changing lifestyle and habits to manage or prevent increasing risk of disease Age-related health impairments are often unavoidable. Development of psychological coping and practical compensatory strategies to improve quality of life Preventing cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and preventing accidents and the consequences of medication misuse Mental health is also an issue, with around 25% of people over the age of 65 suffering from mental disease (particularly depression and dementia). The ageing process can be influenced to a certain extent by changing individual health behavior. -Changing habits, patterns of action, and health-risk behaviors -Important: Adapting interventions to cognitive abilities; memory aids are particularly necessary in old age Preventive measures are often also important in old age:  -Such as designing / adapting the living environment, building social networks, supporting the activities of old and very old residents Application example prevention in old age Program «Aktive Gesundheitsförderung im Alter» (active health promotion in older age), developed in Hamburg: Albertinen-Haus, Zentrum für Geriatrie und Gerontologie Interdisciplinary team: nutritionists, social educators, physiotherapists, medical and therapeutic practitioners Low-threshold service for people above 60 years who still live independently at home Focus: physical activity, healthy diet, interpersonal relationships and social inclusion Target group: not only elderly people themselves, but also GP practices  5 information events: presentations -Health in old age → motivate people to take initiative - Social preventative measures... e.g., changing living situation, retirement, living will -Physical activity– Healthy diet -Managing medication Lifestyle counseling: smaller groups, half day, Focus: healthy diet, physical activity, and social network  Personal recommendation letters for healthy diet and physical activity Exchange of experiences (optional) Workshops: e.g., grocery shopping training, exercises for the back, balance training...