scholarly journals China Elderly Care: A Confucian Legacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 184-193
Author(s):  
Yutao Song

This paper explores the Confucian roots of elderly care expectations and how these expectations may influence the current state of the elderly and elderly care in modern China. This paper posits that the outdated expectations combined with recent urbanization trends has put unrealistic pressures on society to adequately care for a rapidly aging population. Until expectations are adjusted to reflect modern day families and realities, the elderly will continue to struggle with a sense of inadequate care, which can lead to mental health issues and feelings of isolation. Once the shackles of Confucian expectations are removed, families, governments and private institutions will have the freedom to be more creative in the way they imagine solutions for elderly care.

Author(s):  
David M Ndetei ◽  
Erick S Nandoya ◽  
Christine W Musyimi ◽  
Lucy W Kamau ◽  
Victoria N Mutiso

There is very little research conducted in Kenya on the prevalence of dementia. Although there is no specific strategy on dementia care in Kenya, the government of Kenya has made several strides towards improving mental health service provision. In 1982, the Kenya government became one of the signatories to the International Plan of Action on Ageing in Vienna, Austria. Later on, it incorporated the rights of the elderly into the 2010 Constitution and recently launched a mental health policy to address mental health issues in Kenya. While something has been done by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in mental health, there is still a huge gap in access to mental health services, particularly dementia. This can be overcome through massive research and collaboration between the government and NGOs to identify and treat dementia, as well as other mental disorders.


Author(s):  
Patrick Chen ◽  
Yanna Pusica ◽  
Dorsa Sohaei ◽  
Ioannis Prassas ◽  
Eleftherios Diamandis

Since its initial outbreak in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the global community. In addition to the negative health consequences of contracting COVID-19, the implementation of strict quarantine and lockdown measures has also disrupted social networks and devastated the global economy. As a result, there is rising concern that the pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of the general population. To better understand its impact, an increasing number of studies examined the effects of the pandemic on mental health and psychosocial implications of enforced quarantine and lockdown. In this article, we aim to review and summarize the findings from a variety of studies that have explored the psychosociological effects of the pandemic and its impact on the mental well-being of the general population. We will also examine how various demographic groups, such as the elderly and youth, can be more susceptible or resilient to the pandemic’s mental health effects. We hope to provide a broader understanding of the underlying causes of mental health issues triggered by the pandemic and provide recommendations that may be employed to address mental health issues in the population over the long-term.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giyeon Kim ◽  
Sylvia Y Wang ◽  
Soohyun Park ◽  
Stacy W Yun

Abstract Given the increased attention to older Asian Americans due to their increasing numbers in the United States, this article aims to provide a collective appraisal of older Asian American mental health issues by reviewing trends in older Asian American mental health research over the past 2 decades. This review article provides an overview of the current state of mental health and care research on older Asian Americans and vital factors associated with older Asian American mental health and care. We also identify gaps in current research on Asian American mental health issues and propose 5 potential areas for future research into which gerontologists need to put more effort during the next decade. Ways to reduce disparities in mental health and improve the quality of mental health of older Asian Americans are also discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Hassan Karim

The COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic and social consequences have significantly affected the mental health of the individuals.1Nevertheless, related literature on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is scarce.2 Moreover, COVID-19 pandemic has profound effects on public mental health and their routine activities. Anxiety, sleep disturbance and overall lower perceived state of health are among some of the adverse effects.3 It has been reported that health organizations across the globe are working in coordination to cope with the mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.4 The mental state of individuals vary based on their health, profession and status.5 Most importantly, mental health issues are common in quarantined and self-isolated individuals. It might be due to loneliness, fear of death and separation from their family members.6 Similarly, children, who have less interaction with their school friends on daily basis, may suffer from psychological problems. Additionally, separation from parents and friends can cause grief in children. They may encounter distress, anxiety, and loneliness; all of which affects their psychological health.7 Elderly people are highly susceptible to the COVID-19 outbreak as they are already prone to autoimmune, neurovascular, cardiovascular and psychological disorders. Social isolation among the elderly may cause irritating and shouting behaviour and emotional anger.8 Health care professionals are at the forefront of the battle to tackle the COVID-19. Therefore, fear of getting infection, extended work shifts, dealing with COVID-19 patients, inaccessibility to COVID-19 medicine, deaths of their colleagues at line of work, exposure to COVID-19, self-isolation, and keeping distance from friends and family can adversely affect their mental health.2 In general, individuals who recover from COVID-19 disease may face social stigma and get emotional disturbance. Each of us have a different attitude towards people who recovered from COVID-19. Health care workers who try to save people’s lives and limit the spread of COVID-19 can also face stigmatization for potentially being carriers of the COVID-19.2 The COVID-19 is a world problem, so concrete efforts are needed to address this pandemic at a global level. In the case of Pakistan, it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government to implement effective strategies to fight the Covid-19, as per the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholle Mae Amor Maravilla ◽  
Myles Joshua Tan

This article calls for an investigation into the potential bi-directionality between mental health and economics, particularly in the Philippines. Here, we talk about the three themes that contribute to misbeliefs about mental health in Philippine culture and the current state of mental health in the Philippines, including established mental and public health legislations and the lack of resources needed to address mental health concerns in the country. We also compare the Philippines with Northwestern European countries, nine of which are among the 10 happiest countries in the world. In these countries, collaboration between governments and their citizens strengthens research, monitoring, and the evaluation framework of policymaking for mental health — areas in which the Philippines must improve. Finally, we call for Filipinos to view mental health issues in a different light and to impel government and public sectors to prioritize them and to set the Philippine Mental Health Act into motion.


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