Health Aging in Canada Reading

Question 1

Its time for a new vision on healthy aging that

Answer 1

-Values and supports the contributions of older people
-Celebrates diversity, refutes ageism and reduces inequities
-Provides age-friendly environments and opportunities for older Canadians to make healthy choices, which will enhance their independence and quality of life

Question 2

The National Framework on Aging overall vision

Answer 2

Canada, a
society for all ages, promotes the well-being and contributions of older people
in all aspects of life”
- seeks
to further specify how this will play out by providing age-friendly
environments and opportunities for older Canadians to make healthy choices,
which will enhance their independence and quality of life.

Question 3

Five Principles identified by the National Framework on Aging (DIPF)

Answer 3

Dignity
Independence
Participation
Fairness and security

principles provide a common set of values for all jurisdictions that are consistent with the United Nations principles for older persons

Question 4

Planning for Canadas Aging Population

Answer 4

A framework developed by the F/P/T Committee of Officials (seniors) to guide governments across Canada s they develop policies and programs for their aging population

Question 5

What does Planning for Canadas Aging Population outline

Answer 5

3 pillars of action
Health, Wellness and security
Continuous learning, work and participation in society
supporting and caring in the community

Question 6

Today people 65 and older make up what percent of the Canadian population

Answer 6

13%

Question 7

By 2031 how many approximate seniors will there be and what percent of the population will they account for

Answer 7

9 million seniors, 25% of population

Question 8

What are the several reasons to invest in healthy aging

Answer 8

1. Seniors make a significant contribution to the richness of Canadian life and to the economy
2. Healthy aging can delay and minimize the severity of chronic diseases and disabilities in later life, thus saving health care costs and reducing long-term care needs
   3.The evidence compels us to build on existing opportunities, to put in place interventions that are known to be effective, and to show leadership by supporting innovative approaches
3. Canadians of all ages believe that efforts to enable seniors to remain healthy and independent are “the right thing to do”

Question 9

What is the vision related to a society

Answer 9

A society that:
- values and supports the contributions of older people
-celebrates diversity, refutes ageism and reduces inequities
-provides age-friendly environment’s and opportunities for healthy choices that enhancements independence and quality of life

Question 10

Selected areas of focus

Answer 10

-social connectedness
-physical activity
-healthy eating
-falls prevention
-tobacco control

Question 11

What are the three mechanisms supported by:

Answer 11

training leaders and professionals in health, recreation, urban planning
and other sectors that influence opportunities for healthy aging;

• building community capacity for healthy aging among seniors’ groups,
  services and centres serving seniors, as well as in intergenerational
  programs and practices; and
• supporting a research and knowledge development agenda, and the
  transfer of what is learned in ways that policy-makers, leaders, seniors
  and their families can understand and use

Question 12

in 2005 the
F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors endorsed the need for action on five
key issues, based on

Answer 12

their impact on senior health
the availability and effectiveness of interventions
the cost associated with the treatment for health problems associated with these factors
their potential to reduce heath inequities

Question 13

What are the areas of focus

Answer 13

social connectedness
physical activity
healthy eating
falls prevention
tobacco control

Question 14

Social Connectedness

Answer 14

Mental health promotion—
including social connectedness—is intimately related to seniors’ well-being
and functional status. Social connectedness has a positive effect on well-being
and one’s ability to cope effectively with change and life transitions. It also
affects other health behaviours
Example: seniors who are lonely tend to eat poorly

Question 15

seniors who
report a strong sense of community belonging are __ percent more likely to be
in good health, compared to __percent who feel less connected.

Answer 15

62%, 49%

Question 16

Physical Activity

Answer 16

The association between good health and leisure-time physical activity is
particularly strong for seniors, even when socioeconomic factors and the
number of chronic conditions are taken into account

Question 17

___ percent of seniors who are active
three or more times a week are in good health, compared to __ percent who are
infrequently active

Answer 17

67%, 36%

Question 18

True or False: seniors remain the most inactive segment of the population

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Obesity rates among
older adults aged 75-plus have surged, reaching ___ percent in 2004, compared
to ___ percent for this same age group in 1978/79.

Answer 19

24%, 11%

Question 20

True or False: obesity rates did
not increase significantly among adults aged 65 to 74

Answer 20

True

Question 21

True or False: Overweight tends to be
higher among middle-aged and older men as compared to women; however,
women have higher obesity rates compared to men.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

In 2005, __ percent of seniors whose weight was in the
healthy BMI range were in good health, compared to __ percent of seniors who
were obese

Answer 22

55%, 46

Question 23

Falls Prevention

Answer 23

Among older adults, injuries due to falls threaten independent
living, autonomy, mobility, functional ability and health status.

Question 24

True or False: The major cause of injury among seniors in Canada is falls

Answer 24

True

Question 25

If not injury what can a fall cause

Answer 25

n increased and on-going fear
a curtailment of
activities

Question 26

True or False: Seniors who are injured seldom recover fully

Answer 26

true

Question 27

True or False: Older adult women typically sustain more injurious falls and have higher rates
of fall-related hospitalizations, Women are also at greater risk than men for
breaking a bone as a result of a fall, due in part to lower bone density after
menopause and higher rates of osteoporosis

Answer 27

True

Question 28

How much do fall-related injuries in Canada among those 65 and older estimate to cost the economy

Answer 28

2.8 billion a year

Question 29

Tobacco control

Answer 29

Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke is associated with the
development and progression of numerous chronic diseases, mobility
restrictions, disability and a decline in physical function

Question 30

True or False: Cigarette smoking is
implicated in eight of the top 14 causes of death for adults 65 years of age or
older

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Death from smoking results in on average a loss of how many years of expected life

Answer 31

15

Question 32

What is an important audience for smoking cessation

Answer 32

Older adults

Question 33

True or False: interventions directed specifically to older adults are existent in
Canada.

Answer 33

False: almost non-existent

Question 34

Opportunities for all stakeholders to act now, in pursuit of
the new vision for healthy aging.

Answer 34

1. Embrace a vision of healthy aging
   2.Fund and evaluate national, provincial/territorial and local initiatives
2. Build on existing opportunities to promote healthy aging on a partnership basis.
3. Participate in and support international efforts to promote healthy aging.
   5.Re-orient health and social services to better promote healthy aging through
   enhanced efforts in health promotion and disease prevention and control
   6.Document and share promising practices.
   7.Create and promote national guidelines for healthy aging.
4. Develop a core of ambassadors for healthy aging.
   9.Strengthen intergenerational ties
   10.Support a knowledge development agenda