Improving the Health of Older People A World View

by Kane, Robert L.; Grimley-Evans, John; MacFadyen, David

• ISBN13: 9780192617927
• ISBN10: 0192617923
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1990-03-22
• Publisher: Published on behalf of the World Health Organization

Summary

This book examines the worldwide growth of elderly populations and its consequences for future care, and the associated costs for this sector of the population. Living a longer life does not necessarily imply an improvement in the quality of life. Important issues concerning the overall quality of additional years gained through increase in life expectancy are addressed in this book. Progress in specific dimensions of wellbeing are described. Recent gains in knowledge are reviewed, together with advances in our understanding of falls, sensory disorders, mental health in old age, osteoporosis, incontinence, drug therapy and iatrogenic disorders. The book extends outside medical care to encompass the family, which is the key issue in developing countries, community care, nursing home and hospice care; health care services that are particularly appreciated by older people are described. It will provide readers with a knowledge base for developing policies and programs that will advance the wellbeing of the elderly people of the world.

Table of Contents

Perceived Progress in Aging. The Results of a Delphi Survey of International Experts

Health and Function

Introduction

International Demographic Trends

Compression of Morbidity: Issues and Irrelevancies

How are the Elderly Different?

Assessment of Health and Functional Status: An International Comparison

Aging, Quantitative Health Status Assessment and the Effectiveness of Medical Care

Social Factors Affecting the Health of the Elderly

Progress in Specific Areas

Introduction

Progress in the Biology of Aging

Osteoporosis

Stroke

Drugs and Old People: Recent Advances in Geriatric Pharmacology

Iatrogenic Disorders

Hearing Disorders of Aging: Identification and Management

The Effectiveness of Intervention for the Mental Health of the Elderly

The Efficacy of Continence Treatment

Falls in Later Life

Prevention in the Aging

Health Care Introduction

Role of Primary Health Care for the Elderly

The Role of the Family in the Care of the Elderly in Developing Countries

The Role of the Family in Developed Countries

Case Management and Assessment of the Elderly

The Efficacy of Geriatric Assessment Programmes

The Role of Geriatric Medicine

Home Care and Day Care for the Elderly

Nursing Home Care for the Elderly

Hospice Care for the Elderly

Housing for Older People: the North American Approach

Technology Development and Use for Elderly People

Assessing the Impact of Introducing New Technologies and Interventions for the Elderly

Education and Personnel Needs

Introduction

Educating Lay Persons About the Care of the Elderly

Educating Health Professionals in the Care of the Elderly

Planning for Health Personnel Needed to Serve Elderly Persons

Health and Social Policy Issues in Aging

Introduction

Planning More Suitable Environments for the Elderly

Economic Factors Affecting the Health of the Elderly

The Role of Aging in Establishing Social Priorities: an Economic Perspective

Contribution of Social Security to the Well-Being of the Elderly

Ethical Issues and Care of the Elderly

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