Aging, COVID-19, and Resocializing Public Health

2022 ◽  
Vol 121 (831) ◽  
pp. 36-38
Author(s):  
Kavita Sivaramakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global South ◽  
Aging Populations

Many countries in the global South have rapidly aging populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on older adults in these countries, who mainly depend on kin for care. The pandemic has shown that a recommitment to public investment in their well-being is needed.

scholarly journals Sleep and Mental Health Among Older Adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Rodrigues ◽  
K Nicholson ◽  
P Wilk ◽  
G Guaiana ◽  
S Stranges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Global studies have demonstrated consistent associations between sleep problems and mental health and well-being in older adults, however Canadian data are lacking. We investigated associations between sleep quantity and quality with both mental illness symptoms and well-being among older adults in Canada. Methods We used cross-sectional baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a national survey of 30,097 community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older. Self-reported sleep measures included average past-week sleep duration (short [<6h], normal [6-8h], long [>8h]), and sleep quality (satisfied or dissatisfied vs neutral). Mental illness outcomes included depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Mental well-being outcomes included self-rated mental health and satisfaction with life. We used modified Poisson regression models with adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical factors, and stratification by sex and age to explore effect modification. Results In the unadjusted analysis, short and long sleep duration and sleep dissatisfaction were associated with higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being across all outcomes. Sleep satisfaction was associated with a lower likelihood of mental illness symptoms and better well-being. Short sleep duration was associated with the largest effects on mental health outcomes. Self-rated mental health and depressive symptoms had the largest associations with sleep measures. Effects were larger in males and the 45 to 54 year age group. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests sleep duration and quality are associated with symptoms of depression, psychological distress, and poor mental well-being among older adults. We are unable to determine whether sleep problems are a cause or consequence of poor mental health. Nonetheless, sleep may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults. Key messages Our findings contribute further evidence that sleep difficulties are associated with adverse health outcomes including higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being among older adults. Sleep disturbances are an unmet public health problem, and may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults.

scholarly journals Creating an Age-Friendly Public Health System

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne De Biasi ◽  
Megan Wolfe ◽  
Jane Carmody ◽  
Terry Fulmer ◽  
John Auerbach
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health System ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
State Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Departments

Abstract Background and Objectives The public health system in America—at all levels—has relatively few specialized initiatives that prioritize the health and well-being of older adults. And when public health does address the needs of older adults, it is often as an afterthought. In consultation with leaders in public health, health care, and aging, an innovative Framework for an Age-Friendly Public Health System (Framework) was developed outlining roles that public health could fulfill, in collaboration with aging services, to address the challenges and opportunities of an aging society. Research Design and Methods With leadership from Trust for America’s Health and The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Florida Departments of Health and Elder Affairs are piloting the implementation of this Framework within Florida’s county health departments and at the state level. The county health departments are expanding data collection efforts to identify older adult needs, creating new alliances with aging sector partners, coordinating with other agencies and community organizations to implement evidence-based programs and policies that address priority needs, and aligning efforts with the age-friendly communities and age-friendly health systems movements. Results, and Discussion and Implications The county health departments in Florida participating in the pilot are leveraging the Framework to expand public health practice, programs, and policies that address health services and health behaviors, social, and economic factors and environmental conditions that allow older adults to age in place and live healthier and more productive lives. The model being piloted in Florida can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each community and their older adult population.

scholarly journals Start at the Center: Age-Friendly Public Health Systems and Healthy Brain Initiative Frameworks

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 720-720
Author(s):  
Megan Wolfe ◽  
Molly French ◽  
John Shean
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community Connections ◽  
State And Local

Abstract SIGNIFICANCE. Older adults can contribute wisdom, skills, and time to communities. The public health sector has unique capabilities for creating conditions that promote health, foster community connections, and quality of life. METHODS. Two frameworks provide public health (PH) with core strategies to improve outcomes for all older adults. The Framework for Creating an Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS) supports the PH role, as demonstrated by 37 of Florida’s 67 county health departments that are piloting the AFPHS Framework. The Healthy Brain Initiative’s (HBI) State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia is a framework for action used by PH to promote cognitive health, improve care for cognitive impairment, and increase caregiving supports. Both frameworks call for utilizing regional data and cross-sector partnerships. IMPLICATIONS. PH can contribute to community-wide initiatives to promote well-being and community connections for older adults. Cross-sector partnerships can start by using available tools and planning guides.

scholarly journals The Challenges of Being a Family Caregiver During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 552-552
Author(s):  
Gwen McGhan ◽  
Deirdre McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of our lives, but the population most at risk are older adults. Canadians over the age of 60 account for 36% of all COVID-19 cases but 95% of the deaths, and over two-thirds of ICU admissions. Older adults with chronic health conditions are especially at risk. Prior to COVID-19, family caregivers (FCGs) for older adults were managing their caregiving duties at the limits of their emotional, physical and financial capacity. As such, FCGs need special consideration during these times of uncertainty to support them in their role and enable the continuation of care for their older adult family members. This symposium will report on independently conducted studies from across Canada that have examined how the pandemic and associated public health measures have influenced resource utilization by FCGs and the older adults for whom they provide care. McAiney et al’s study examines the deleterious effect of reduced services on community dwelling FCGs and the wellbeing of their family member with dementia. Parmar & Anderson examined the effect of pandemic restrictions on FCGs of frail older adults and found they were experiencing increased distress and decreased wellbeing. Flemons et al report on the experiences of FCGs managing caregiving without critical services and the effect of restrictive visiting policies and the well-being of the caregiving dyad (FCGs and family member with dementia). Finally, McGhan et al will share how FCGs evaluated the efficacy of public health measures and the public health messaging about the pandemic.

scholarly journals Protecting older adults of Sri Lanka amid COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keshini Madara Marasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Aging Populations ◽  
Clinical Responses ◽  
Low And Middle Income

<p>Older adults over 60 are at a higher risk of getting severely sick and dying from COVID–19. Sri Lanka has one of the fastest aging populations in South and South–East Asia. In addition to having a rapidly aging population, Sri Lanka is a developing country with limited resources to accommodate the older population that can be significantly affected by COVID–19. Statistics up to date shows that older adults are at a much higher risk of dying from COVID–19. Older adults being at a much higher risk of contracting and dying from COVID–19 has important implications for the way in which public health and clinical responses should be developed. These implications have been largely overlooked in both high and low and middle–income countries when providing guidance and implementing regulations, which can have a greater impact in low and middle–income countries. Preparedness of the healthcare systems to respond to the pandemic with a lack of facilities, resources (i.e., ventilators) and staff in the healthcare system, specifically in hospitals, intensive care units and long–term care homes is a concern that should be taken into consideration when clinical responses are developed. Challenges around protecting community–dwelling older adults who are caregivers to grandchildren, receiving informal care from children in the same household, living in living in remote areas, or living alone or dependent on others need to be taken into consideration when developing public health responses.</p>

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Social Isolation Endangering Psychological Health of Older Adults: Implications for Telepsychiatry

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Targeted Interventions

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has created a public health emergency and had claimed 911,877 lives at the time of writing this manuscript (September 12, 2020). While everybody is at the risk of acquiring infection following the exposure to SARS-CoV-2, older adults are significantly more likely to experience severe illness, life-threatening complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. As the pandemic evolved, social distancing or shielding efforts as primary prevention were instituted to protect the physical health status of the vulnerable population, with no or limited consideration to the psychological health of the older population. Social isolation and loneliness are the long-standing public health concerns among older adults, which appear to be exacerbating amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the pre-existing risk of late-life psychiatric disorders among older individuals, it is critical to determine challenges posed by COVID-19 and associated social distancing protocols as it relates to the psychosocial well-being of the aging population. Such information is imperative to design targeted interventions to fulfill the unmet needs of the older population. Therefore, this review endeavors to identify the healthcare and emotional needs of the aging population during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of psychological health and social capital. Additionally, this review also identifies the barriers in the uptake of telepsychiatry and highlights the need for promoting remote counseling services among older people to promote their psychosocial well-being.

scholarly journals Developing a Shared Language to Describe the Age-Friendly Ecosystem

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 491-491
Author(s):  
Kim Dash ◽  
Jody Shue ◽  
Tim Driver ◽  
Alice Bonner ◽  
Leslie Pelton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Processes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Collective Impact ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Shared Language ◽  
International Experts ◽  
Diverse Groups ◽  
Common Agenda

Abstract While multiple sectors—cities and communities, education, employment, health, and public health—have identified and implemented strategies to promote age-friendly systems, their efforts have mainly advanced in siloes. Each sector has met goals specific to its constituents, however, the major transformations required to realize systemic inclusivity and well-being among diverse groups of older adults remains indefinable. To begin to address this gap, we have engaged age-friendly sectors in a process of coordinated planning to define and operationalize an age-friendly ecosystem (AFE) that advances cross-sector and age-friendly solutions to meet the needs of all older adults. Our process borrows from Kania and Kramer (2011) who describe conditions to achieve substantial collective impact when coordinating efforts across sectors: a common agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, and continuous communication. In this presentation, we describe our stepwise process to set a common agenda, by engaging older adults and working with experts across sectors, to agree on a series of characteristics that define an AFE. Specifically, we surveyed older adults about their perceptions of an age-friendly ecosystem as well as conducted a review and analysis of relevant activities (i.e., policies, programs, and practices) associated with five age-friendly sectors. Next, activities were organized by common and defining characteristics. We then convened more than 40 international experts representing diverse age-friendly sectors to review and revise the AFE characteristics. Through structured and facilitated group processes, we worked with experts to identify and define six critical AFE characteristics as well as examples of corresponding activities.

scholarly journals Promoting Health Equity Through Partnerships

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 252-252
Author(s):  
Karon Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Departments ◽  
State And Local

Abstract Funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, Trust for America’s Health’s (TFAH) Healthy Aging initiative has supported states as they develop Age-Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS). The goal of this national initiative is to make healthy aging a core function of state and local public health departments. Through this initiative, TFAH is working directly with states as they work to improve the health of older adults, with a particular focus on health equity. Given the increased prevalence of health disparities, prioritizing health equity has become important for many organizations. Through new partnerships and collaboration with aging services providers and health care systems, public health departments have developed innovative ways to improve the health and well-being of older adults from racial/ethnically diverse backgrounds. Areas of collaboration between the public health and aging sectors include sharing data on older adult health and working together to address social isolation.

scholarly journals CROSS-GENERATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF AGEISM AND ITS IMPACT ON PERSONAL-PUBLIC HEALTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S893-S893
Author(s):  
Diana Mayo ◽  
Thomas M Meuser ◽  
Regula H Robnett
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Health Care Disparities ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Silent Generation ◽  
Discriminatory Behavior

Abstract In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a call to combat ageism, labeling it “pervasive” and having “profound consequences on older adults’ health and well being.” This study explored generational differences in understanding the WHO’s definition of ageism, between baby boomers (ages 65-72) and silent generation members (ages 78-85), as well as the perceived impact on personal and public health outcomes. A focus group protocol built around the WHO framing of ageism was administered to boomer (n=18) and silent generation members (n=11). Discussion was transcribed, reviewed in depth by each research team member, and themes were extracted by consensus. Members of both cohorts initially denied effects of ageism, stating that they reject discriminatory behavior; later sharing explicit examples of ageism’s negative impact on their lives. Boomers conflated the words “ageism” and “aging”, perhaps implying a lack of awareness of the terms and the issues as presented by WHO. A central finding was that older adults in both groups experienced economic and health care disparities due to their age. In both groups, perceived perpetrators of discriminatory behavior were found in various environments including places of employment, healthcare sites, restaurants, public transportation, retirement communities, and at home among family and care services. Our results are critical to understanding what environments to target for public health intervention efforts, which will include establishing future education and training for people of all ages to help society learn about ageism, and to advocate for inclusive and equitable treatment of older adults in the community.

scholarly journals Understanding Threats to Young Children’s Green Space Access in Unlicensed Daycare Centers in Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1948
Author(s):  
Christoph D. D. Rupprecht ◽  
Lihua Cui
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urban Planning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daycare Centers ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Daycare Providers

Access to green space (GS) is vital for children’s health and development, including during daycare. In Japan, deregulation to alleviate daycare shortages has created a new category of so-called unlicensed daycare centers (UDCs) that often lack dedicated GS. UDCs rely on surrounding GS, including parks, temples and university grounds, but reports of conflicts highlight the precarity of children’s well-being in a rapidly aging country. Knowledge about GS access in Japanese UDCs remains scarce. Our mail-back survey (n = 173) of UDCs and online survey (n = 3645) of parents investigated threats to GS access during daycare across 14 Japanese cities. Results suggest that UDCs use a variety of GS and aim to provide daily access. Caregivers are vital in mediating children’s access, but locally available GS diversity, quality and quantity as well as institutional support were perceived as lacking. Parents did not rank GS high among their priorities when selecting daycare providers, and showed limited awareness of conflicts during GS visits. Implications of this study include the need for caregivers and parents to communicate and collaborate to improve GS access, and the importance of strong public investment into holistically improving GS diversity, quality and quantity from the perspective of public health and urban planning.

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