Health Promotion for Older People - Essay Example

HEALTH PROMOTION PLAN (For Age Group 60 and above) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Old Age and Aging 2-3 3. Aims and Desired Outcomes 3 4. Health Promotion Concepts and Approaches 3 4.1 Empowerment 3-4 4.2 Variations of Empowerment in Older Adults 4-6 5. Evaluation of the Process 6-8 6. Summary 9 7. List of References 10 i 1. Introduction “Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, an individual or group must be able to identify and to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or scope with the environment. Health is therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. Therefore, health promotion is not just the responsibility of the health sector but goes beyond healthy life-styles to well-being.” (Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion 1986, p.1) In view of this definition, our focus will be the concept of health promotion applicable to the older adults such as self-control or empowerment, physical, mental, and social well-being and the significant aspects of aging. Health promotion can be planned in four stages (Squire 2002, p.142), the first will be the assessment of the individual or groups which at this point are the older adults from 60 years of age and older (Old Age and Aging) followed by the setting of aims and desired outcomes. The third stage is choosing suitable approaches or models to achieve the desired outcomes (Health Promotion Concepts and Approaches) and finally, the evaluation of the process. 2. Old Age and Aging Old age has been defined in a variety of ways at different in different context and for different social groups. However, it can be defined by either chronology, function, or by cultural norms but for the purpose of our health promotions for older adults, we will approach aging from biological and societal perspectives. According to Weisstub (2001, p.16/20), old age represents a biological barriers that should be respected as a natural and morally relevant limit of human existence. As a biological barrier, old age and the process of aging that is associated with growth and human development, complex genetic and cellular changes, and degenerative processes provides a normative framework in our society. It is therefore a common societal perception that aging is associated with increasing health services and elders in our society do not have a significant function or purpose. “Our century has seen a loss of cultural meaning and vital social roles for older people”. (Hess and Markson 1991, p.30) An ageism, a systematic stereotyping, and discrimination against older people that is comparable with racism and sexism. Since the 1980s according to Hess and Markson (1991) there has been formidable efforts by health professionals, social workers, and humanist to combat ageism and to debunk the myth of old age and to substitute positive images of aging for negative ones. However, from the aging person’s point of view, aging seems to be one life’s great surprises since the idea that they are as chronologically old as they are seems foreign and psychologically near and distant at the same time. In their late fifties, they are gradually becoming aware of the fact that their bodies are slowing down and sometimes no longer allow them to do what they wish (Hess and Markson 1991, p.90). 3. Aims and Desired Outcomes Apparently, extending health promotion to older adults involves not only the understanding of their social status in life but also changing their personal behavior. Although education about preventive behaviors is a significant factor in changing personal behavior, health promotion programs focusing too much individual behaviors are being criticized for ignoring other factors related to poor health such as poverty, ageism, and environmental hazards. Some critics argue that health promotion is meaningless if issues such as access and affordability to health care services continue to problematic for many older adults (Wacker et. al. 2002, p.211). Since we are now aware that health promotion programs must be sensitive to various issues of social and cultural characteristics of participants, we can now proceed with our health promotion plan by selecting the most appropriate concepts, models, and approaches applicable to older adults group. Our desired outcome is to ensure the well-being and long-term healthy lifestyle of our senior community members through a well-planned health promotion. 4. Health Promotion Concept and Approaches 4.1. Empowerment The Ottawa Charter’s definition of health promotion emphasizes various important concepts necessary to ensure the well-being of individuals in a community. The process of enabling people to increase control over their health is “empowerment” of individual and the community. The focus of this concept is to help participants to assume maximum self-responsibility for overall well-being through underlining the acquisition and improvement of the knowledge and skills required for a healthy everyday living. Consequently, participants would be able to use these knowledge and skills to not just those related to health but to all aspects of their lives (Fallcreek 1984, p.6). Empowerment according to Haber (2007, p.40) varies with participants and health professionals. From the participant’s perspective, empowerment is having the opportunities to learn, discuss, decide, and act on decisions. On the health professional’s viewpoint, empowering is not only providing services to clients but also collaborating and encouraging their decision-making capabilities. This is probably the rationale on why health is not just an object of living and sole responsibility of the health sector, as health is not just about way of life but happiness and well-being of every individual in the community (Ottawa Charter Health Promotion 1986, p.1). However, the basic theme of promoting health through self-activation and empowerment has several variations with respect to older adults such as self-care, peer advocacy, support networks, and community activation. 4.2. Variations of Empowerment in Older Adults Self-care is the process in which a person can function effectively on his/her own behalf health promotion and disease prevention. This may also include disease treatment at the level of health resource in the health care system (Fallcreek 1984 p.65). Self-care approach to health promotion is “developing personal skills” (Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion 1986, p3) that would enable people to learn and prepare themselves to deal with chronic illness and injuries (Eliopulous 2004, p.54). In addition, the protective effect of a positive attitude on physical health may work in various ways since positive emotions can work directly on enhancing a person’s social support system. This optimistic outlook could stimulate motivation for self-care and adherence to treatment regimens, or on engaging in more social and physical activities that help to maintain the fitness level necessary for high-level functioning (Haber 2007, p.382). Peer advocacy on the other hand is a way to support the elderly participants self worth and dignity so that they may be able to maintain independent status in today’s world (Fallcreek 1984 p.65). This is in harmony with the principle that “helping others brings mental health benefits to oneself” and giving encouragement to others may help us clarify our ideas and become increasingly conscientious about own health behaviors (Haber 2007, p.355). In general, this is one of the secure foundation of health improvement mentioned in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986, p.2) calling for health promotions to “advocate” good health by making political economic, cultural, environmental, behavioral, and biological factors favorable to everyone. More importantly, they also call to “enable” health promotions to achieve equity in health in order to reduce differences in current health status and ensure equal opportunities for men and women. Another related approach is support networks and community activation involving the giving and receiving of objects, services, social and emotional supports. This is a set of relation or an organized group effort defined by the giver and the receiver necessary to maintain a style of life (Fallcreek 1984 p.65). In older adults, coping with chronic conditions on their own or their loved ones are discovering the rewards of belonging to a peer support group that unite people with common concerns. They can share their ideas and feelings, exchange practical information, and benefit from knowing they are not alone (Haber 2007, p.354). In other areas, particularly those belonging to a depressed community, they may rely on the informal network of family and community to support their rapidly increasing older adult population (Haber 2007, p.438). However, we cannot truly implement any of these approaches if our understanding of older adults or aging is just age brackets imposed by our society. We therefore need to understand aging from both biological and societal perspective to come to terms with the principle behind these varying approaches. 5. Evaluation of the Process The consideration of social and cultural influences is essential when planning an intervention to increase physical activity in older and culturally diverse population. The main adversary is the attitude and ethno cultural beliefs about health casualty and western health care are often overarching determinants of participation in health promoting activities (Burbank and Riebe 2002, p.244). Empowering older adults particularly age 60 and above require special considerations since they are commonly at risk of ineffective health maintenance, injury, and disturbed sensory impairment. In these circumstances, health promotion may start by educating participants in home safety to prevent accidents and to reduce the risk of fall (Maville and Huerta 2001, p.63). At this stage, self-care will now play a very important role since personal health and well-being can be significantly improve through actions initiated by individuals. Self-care may include task that are part of the older adult’s daily routine such as basic hygiene, dental care, nutrition, and simple first aid. The second part may deal with health enhancing behaviors such as smoking and alcohol cessation. The third includes skills that may be acquire through educational programs often conducted by a nurse or physician such as taking blood pressure reading or doing a complete physical exam. Although self-care does not a guarantee a cure for ailments that often accompany aging, it could effectively slow down the advance of some disease processes and improve the quality of life (Fallcreek 1984, p.66). When the participants are already capable of maximum control over their bodies, they also gain a sense of control of their lives, their sense of well-being and determination, and gain renewed confidence in their abilities. As a group, they can now participate in peer advocacy to strengthen each other’s support and maintain maximum independence. Our on going health promotion can now take the course of action to peer advocacy to enhance participant’s self-worth and dignity. The advocate can help his/her peers by informing them of available services and help them secure needed services. He/she can also help by instilling confidence or act as role model so that individuals will ultimately become their own advocates. The advocate’s capacity to sympathize and recognize with the person being help is the primary asset of this approach. Furthermore, sharing as person’s life experiences and similar ethnic, cultural, social, and economic backgrounds help peer advocates to overcome hurdles that younger professionals may encounter as advocates provides an instance of successful aging and exemplify the ability to assume new roles and remain vigorously involved in community living. Support Network and Community Activation can now pave the way to a desirable and healthy life style. “Natural networks are very important sources of support for the elderly” (Fallcreek 1984, p.77). Persons with many casual supports are found to have a more constructive self-concept, be psychologically healthier, more likely to plan, participate in more leisurely activities, and be less likely to feel miserable or estranged. More importantly, they feel more secure because they are confident that they have someone to turn to in time of crisis. There is “increase cohesion in the community in an atmosphere that encouraged active listening and peer support” (Laverack 2004, p.95). Great sources of assistance to elderly are clubs, church groups, organizations and self-groups. However, this support can take many forms, some are carefully structured, and others are products of natural evolution. Whether support is coming from old friends, relatives, old classmates, or new acquaintances that provide encouragement for healthy lifestyle or encouraging positive changes is critical to the well-being of older adults (Fallcreek 1984, p.77). 6. Summary Health promotion for older adults is a special task since promoting self-activation and empowerment in this diverse population requires full knowledge of the aging process and its social and psychological implications. The use of empowerment concept and it various approaches seem to give us more control of the outcome of our proposed health promotion. Approaches such as self-care and peer advocacy can effectively enhance older adult’s sense of control, determination, and confidence in the abilities. Peer advocacy can give them the much-needed support, enhance their self-worth and dignity, and provide them with maximum independence. In addition, they will feel more secure as a member of a support network since they no longer need to feel alone and worry about their well-being and incapacity. More importantly, positive changes brought about by health promotion will give them a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook in life. 7. List of References Burbank Patricia and Riebe Deborah, 2002, Promoting Exercise and Behavior Change in Older Adults, Published 2002 Springer Publishing Company, ISBN 0826115020 Eliopoulos Charlotte, 2004, Invitation to Holistic Health: A Guide to Living a Balanced Life, Published 2004 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, ISBN 0763745626   FallCreek Stephanie, 1984, A Healthy Old Age: A Sourcebook for Health Promotion With Older Adults, Published 1984 Haworth Press, ISBN 0866562478 Haber David, 2007, Health Promotion and Aging: Practical Applications for Health Professionals, Published 2007 Springer Publishing Company, ISBN 0826184634 Hess Beth and Markson Elizabeth, 1991, Growing Old in America, Published 1991 Transaction Publishers, ISBN 0887388469 Laverack Glenn, 2004, Health Promotion Practice: Power and Empowerment, Published 2004 Sage Publications Inc, ISBN 0761941800   Maville Janice and Huerta Carolina, 2001, Health Promotion in Nursing, Published 2001 Thomson Delmar Learning, ISBN 0827380089 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, 1986, Health Promotion, First International Conference on Health Promotion, Canadian Public Health Association, Health, and Welfare Canada, and the World Health Organization, Ottawa 21 November 1986 - WHO/HPR/HEP/95.1 Squire Anne, 2002, Health and Well-Being for Older People: Foundations for Practice, Published 2002 Elsevier Health Sciences, ISBN 0702023159 Wacker Robbyn, Roberto Karen, and Piper Linda, 2002, Community Resources for Older Adults: Programs and Services in an Era of Change, Published 2002 Pine Forge Press, ISBN 0761987703 Weisstub David N., 2001, Aging, Published 2001 Springer, ISBN 1402001800     Read More