2.08 - hcs

Biomedical theory of successful ageing

focuses on optimisation of life expectancy while minimising physical + mental deterioration & disability

3 components of successful ageing- biomedical

-absence of disease + risk factors -maintenance of physical + cognitive functioning -active engagement w/ life

Usual ageing

-normal decline in physical, social, and cognitive function with age

Problem with biomedical theory of successful ageing

-being disease free at old age is unrealistic -focus on the burden of old age -> negative perspective dominates consultations

Psychosocial view of successful ageing

-dynamic process -emphasise life satisfaction with present and past life, social participation & functioning, pyschological resources + personal growth

Psychological resources for successful ageing

-positive outlook and self worth -self efficacy -autonomy and independence

lay views of successful ageing

-having a sense of purpose -financial security -learning new things -productivity

• contribution to society

• spirituality

3 categories of ageing

-definitely old -definitely not old -ambivalent about age

social identity

-how people see themselves within a group

personal identity

individual qualities that distinguish one person from another

age identities

-ageless life: there is nothing intrinsically different about later life -age masking: there is a discrepancy between the individuals outer and inner self

stigma w/ ageing

-negative stereotypes e.g. dependent and useless -positive stereotypes: tranquillity and worry free

problems w/ medicalisation of the elderly

• life expectancy increasing = increased burden on healthcare providers

• excessive hospitalisation can increase risk of infections, pressure sores -older people likely to demand cures for wrinkles, baldness, symptoms of menopause etc -> treatment to combat ageing should have the same regulations as any medical technology -medicalisation of poverty and loneliness has not yet occured -> medicine recognises limits

Psychological impact of urinary incontinence

-embarrassment -nervousness -feat of not knowing location of a toilet -fear of soiling clothes -journeys must be planned based on location of a toilet

urinary incontinence in women

-women w/ urinary incontinence has a lower QoL than their continent counterparts -25-50% women with UI experience sexual dysfunction -23% women take work off bc of UI -overactive bladder causes more psychological harm than stress incontinence

burden of treatment w/ long-term conditions

-hidden costs: time off work, transport -changing behaviour to adhere to lifestyle modifications -monitoring symptoms at home -> collecting and inputting data -adhering to complex treatment + multiple drug -complex systems to secure eligibility for services

Which patients struggle more w/ the burden of treatment?

-socially isolated -poorly educated -cognitively impaired -do not speak local language -people w/ little time e.g. work 3 jobs