Chapter 7 Flashcards
What is the “well-being paradox”?
Older adults report good health despite chronic conditions, comparing themselves to peers.
What are the three parts of the WHO’s definition of good health?
Absence of symptoms of illness or signs of disease
Presence of well-being and a sense of being healthy
Capacity to perform ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) and function with some independence
Why do we need an operational definition of health?
Because health is a multi-dimensional concept (physical, psychological, social) and changes over the life course. The measure varies based on what we want to know.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence: Rate of new cases of a disease in a population during a specific time.
Prevalence: Current total number of cases (new + existing) in a population at a given time.
Compare acute and chronic conditions
Acute: Sudden onset, short duration (e.g., flu). Can become chronic.
Chronic: Long-term, often incurable but manageable (e.g., diabetes). Can lead to acute symptoms.
Define morbidity, multimorbidity, and comorbidity.
Morbidity: State of having a specific disease.
Multimorbidity: Having multiple chronic conditions (not necessarily related).
Comorbidity: Additional medical conditions alongside a primary diagnosis (e.g., diabetes + kidney disease).
What are the three domains of the LMMR (Lifecourse Model of Multimorbidity) framework?
Functional: Helps maintain social roles and activity levels.
Social: Access to help (healthcare, family).
Psychological: Coping with disability and stress.
Compare the medical and social models of care.
Medical Model: Focuses on biological causes/treatment; criticized for over-medicalization.
Social Model: Includes social, psychological, and biological factors; emphasizes prevention and individual responsibility.
What does the PHPM (Population Health Promotion Model) combine?
Combines Health Promotion Model (HPM) (individual behaviors) and Population Health Model (PHM) (determinants of health) to focus on policy-making and health strategies.
How does health change with age?
Increased likelihood of chronic conditions, disability, and death.
Major causes of death in Canada (2022): Heart disease, cancer, COVID.
Older adults often have 2+ chronic conditions.
What are common mental health issues in older adults?
Depression, anxiety, dementia, delirium, delusional disorders.
20% of older adults have mental health issues; 80% in institutions.
List barriers to mental health care for older adults.
Lack of understanding/training
Inadequate funding
Shortage of geriatric services
Poor coordination between care systems
Cultural/ethnic beliefs affecting treatment
What are the types and triggers of depression in older adults?
Types: Major depression, dysthymia (chronic mild depression).
Triggers: Losses, chronic pain, disability, caregiving strain, terminal illness.
Risk: Higher suicide rates in males over 85.
What is dementia, and what is the most common type?
Impairs memory, thinking, behavior.
Most common type: Alzheimer’s disease (no cure, progressive brain degeneration).
Affects 8% of 65+, 33% of 85+.
Difference between morbidity and disability
Compression of morbidity: Disease onset delayed until later in life.
Compression of disability: More years lived without disability.
key social determinants of health
Income, education, employment, housing, gender, Indigenous status, social support.
Cumulative over life course.
How does SES (socio-economic status) affect health?
Higher SES linked to better health, longer life, and better access to care.
How do health outcomes differ by gender?
Women: Live longer, more chronic conditions, higher healthcare use.
Men: Higher suicide rates, shorter life expectancy.
What are key health challenges for LGBTQ+ older adults?
Worse mental/physical health due to discrimination.
Higher depression/suicide risk in youth.
Lack of culturally competent care.
How does immigrant health change over time in Canada?
Healthy immigrant effect: Recent immigrants are healthier.
Health declines over time to match Canadian averages.
Barriers: Language, access to care.
What are the 5 principles of Canada’s healthcare system?
Publicly administered
Comprehensive
Universal
Accessible
Portable
Compare home care and residential care
Home care: Supports aging in place (short-term rehab, prevention).
Residential care: 24/7 supervised care (7% of 65+, 30% of 85+).
List challenges in Canadian long-term care.
Underfunding, staff shortages, lack of integration, high resident complexity.
Pandemic worsened conditions (isolation, lack of PPE)
What is polypharmacy, and what is the Beers List?
Polypharmacy: Taking multiple medications (common in older adults).
Beers List: Drugs deemed unsafe/ineffective for seniors.
