As a Public Relations major, I try to think proactive rather than reactive. This is why I have chosen the subject of "Health Promotion with Older People" in Chapter 4 of our textbooks. This chapter discusses managing chronic diseases and promoting well-being in old age. I think promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in seniors is key to a long and happy life.
Health promotion is defined in our books as "a combination of health education and related organizational, political and economic changes aimed at enhancing an individual's control over and ability to improve their health not just manage their diseases" (p. 155)
Seniors should take control of their own health before they no long have the ability to control it themselves.
This can apply to all people, not just the elderly, everyone should be eating healthy and getting a fair amount of exercise. By taking control of their own health, people can cut down their risk of chronic and acute diseases. 90 percent of fatal and near-fatal episodes of strokes and heart attacks can be prevented. (p. 155)
Behaviors and actions that can help prevent illnesses can also significantly reduce health care costs. The healthier one is, the less time they have to spend in a hospital or with in home care. Which can end up saving the elderly a lot of money. Despite all the savings, only a very small percentage of national health care dollars are spent on prevention and wellness services. Hooyman, Nancy R. Et. Al. Social
gerontology: a multidisciplinary perspective. 9th ed. 2011
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.
When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the
gates of the soul open.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
Above is a link to the EAC Senior Health Promotion Program. The EAC is the Education &Assistance Corporation and is a not-for-profit human service agency.
Their program impact states:
By promoting strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and emotional
wellness, these programs contribute to increased independence and
vitality as well as the decreased likelihood of disabling injury.
Participants completing Six Weeks to a Healthier You have been shown to
reduce the number of visits to physicians and Emergency Rooms, the
number of days in the hospital and the number of hospitalizations.
Above is a link to a site called Stronger Seniors. It is a program that focuses on improving the body, mind and spirit of senior citizens and those with limited mobility or recovering from injury or illness. This site features exercise videos, fitness tips, senior news, testimonials and contact information.
Above is a link to a YouTube channel called "Stronger Seniors". It features exercise videos that seniors can watch and perform in the comfort of their own homes. These workouts are specifically to cater to the needs of the aging body.
"This exercise program for Seniors is accredited by the American Council
on Exercise, and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America."
This scholarly journal article discusses the importance of social relationships in regards to health in aging. "For social support to be health promoting,
it must provide both a sense of belonging and
intimacy and must help people to be more competent and self-efficacious."
My name is Jami Riener. I am 21 years old and a senior at the University of Idaho.
My major is in Public Relations with a minor in Sociology and an emphasis in Event Management.
This critical insight blog is for my class SOC431: Personal and Social Issues in Aging.
I am particularly interested in the process of aging and how it affects people socially because in my future line of work I know I am going to have to plan and coordinate events for all different age groups and make certain modifications for different disabilities and health issues depending on the age group. I believe we should learn about aging so we can keep the elderly active in their later years. In my opinion, you are never to old to party! If anything, old age is an excuse to live it up. You have less responsibilities, so why not enjoy life?
“You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.”
―
Michael Pritchard
In this blog I will go over a number of different subjects we learn in class that I find particularly interesting. Subjects that pertain to aging and the social issues that come along with it.
