Older Adults, Ageism, and Age Friendly Practice

Question 1

Perception of Aging

Answer 1

• Negative vs neutral
• Language demonstrates what we prize and value
• Aging is generally a paradigm of decline
• Examples:
• How old do you feel?
• “I still feel 60!”
• 90-year old man
• “Today I feel I’m 104.”
• 76 year old woman.

• How (sick/frail/tired/slow) do you feel?

language is problematic

Question 2

Ageism

Answer 2

• Stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the
basis of their age

• The last acceptable “ism”
• Personal
• Institutional
• Intentional
• Unintentional
• Implicit

games slike senior moments, greeting cards that make fun of growing older

Question 3

representaiton

Answer 3

itch is usually older

children establish view of age by 6

Question 4

Why Does it Matter?

impact

Answer 4

• Does it make a difference to patient care if we have a bias for or
against a certain patient group?

• Stereotyping = how we think
• Prejudice = how we feel
• Discrimination = how we act

• Manifestation
• Policy (education, health, labour)
• Services (access to social, healthcare)
• Appreciation (human and social capital)
• Outcomes
• Poorer cognitive health, physical health
feeling not valued, cog health declines

Question 5

covid-19

Answer 5

kills disabled and old ppl - perception and media protrayal
ableism, ageism, accepted you cant visit seniors

military toprovide care in nursing homes

Question 6

Natural Disasters

Answer 6

• Most plans are haphazard or poorly coordinated for seniors

• Seniors often not consulted in disaster planning
• e.g. Canada’s Emergency Management Framework

• Usually rely on family or friends

• Challenges continue after the disaster
• Accessing emergency supports or funding
• Arranging accommodations
• Arranging medications and other medical care

Question 7

Application in Geriatrics

SUD Guidelines

Answer 7

Addressing ageism
● Personal and system
● Lack of policy or research specific to older adults
● Lack of responsibility of any one individual
● Stigma and shame

DSM-V criteria does not align
● Doses used are not excessive
● Role obligations may not exist
● Social, recreational, or other activities may already be reduced
● Problems attributed to aging or disease vs the substance
● Physiologic dependence may not occur, or withdrawal may be
protracted

Question 8

Disability in Canada

Answer 8

greatest in 75 years and older

in healtcarem we are deal with ppl with conditions and change our perspective of older adults

Question 9

Terminology

• Aging
• Aged heterogeneity

Answer 9

they become more diverse w diff experiences, most diverse in population

Question 10

Analysis by Age

Cost of Healthcare

Answer 10

• From 2006 to 2016 share of health expenses for Canadians
• Age 65 and older ↑ from 44.6% to 44.8%.
• senior population grew 13.2% to 16.5%.
• Age 1 to 64 ↓ from 52.5% to 52.2%
• this population dropped 85.7% to 82.4%.
• Infants younger than age 1 ↑ from 2.9% to 3.1%.
• % of infants in the population stayed at 1.1%.

younger adults use biologics which are more expensive for system

Question 11

Policy and Seniors’ Health

Answer 11

• Health issues that need to be addressed:
• Social connectedness
• Physical activity
• Healthy eating
• Falls prevention
• Tobacco control
• Health System issues
• Access to care
• Knowledge of seniors’ health
• Data

Question 12

Resources Designed for Older Adults

suicide prevention

Answer 12

• Risks:
• Losses – primarily widowhood, bereavement
• Other mental health disorder
• Physical illness
• Poor social supports

• Highest risk of completion
• chronically ill, socially isolated, white male with
history of depression or substance abuse

Question 13

WHO Global Strategy

Answer 13

• 5 strategic objectives
1. Commitment to action on Healthy Aging
in every country
2. Developing age-friendly environments
3. Aligning health systems to the needs of
older populations
4. Developing sustainable and equitable
systems for providing long-term care
5. Improving measurement, monitoring,
and research on Healthy Aging

Question 14

UN Decade of Healthy Ageing

Answer 14

• 4 Areas for Action

1. Age-friendly environments - be pleasant
2. Combatting ageism
3. Integrated care
4. Long-term care

Question 15

Pharmacy Considerations

Answer 15

• As a citizen you can advocate for all 8
• In pharmacy we can focus on
• Respect and inclusion
• Communication and information
• Spaces/buildings
• Community support and health services

Question 16

Criteria Proposed

Answer 16

Relationship
• (Domain – respect and inclusion)
• Pleasant, focused on health
• Personalized
• Trust, respect for privacy
• Attentive and identifying consumer’s needs
• Qualified care in language spoken

Pharmacy layout
• Accessible, no barriers
• Ensure confidentiality (personal attention)
• Chairs to make waiting easier
• Access to toilet

Pharmaceutical Services
• Technical and specialized advice
• Involvement in the education of the patient and caregivers in the use of
medication
• Ensuring medication availability
• Coordination with other components of the healthcare system
• Coordination with social health services

Question 17

Communication of services

• Communicating about the range of services offered by the pharmacy

Answer 17

• Literacy
• Culture
• Hearing impairment
• Environment
• Inclusion (e.g. CG)

flat bottles to read label on flat