Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2020-05-14

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 0309671035

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Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.


World Report on Ageing and Health

World Report on Ageing and Health

Author: World Health Organization

Publisher: World Health Organization

Published: 2015-10-22

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9241565047

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The WHO World report on ageing and health is not for the book shelf it is a living breathing testament to all older people who have fought for their voice to be heard at all levels of government across disciplines and sectors. - Mr Bjarne Hastrup President International Federation on Ageing and CEO DaneAge This report outlines a framework for action to foster Healthy Ageing built around the new concept of functional ability. This will require a transformation of health systems away from disease based curative models and towards the provision of older-person-centred and integrated care. It will require the development sometimes from nothing of comprehensive systems of long term care. It will require a coordinated response from many other sectors and multiple levels of government. And it will need to draw on better ways of measuring and monitoring the health and functioning of older populations. These actions are likely to be a sound investment in society's future. A future that gives older people the freedom to live lives that previous generations might never have imagined. The World report on ageing and health responds to these challenges by recommending equally profound changes in the way health policies for ageing populations are formulated and services are provided. As the foundation for its recommendations the report looks at what the latest evidence has to say about the ageing process noting that many common perceptions and assumptions about older people are based on outdated stereotypes. The report's recommendations are anchored in the evidence comprehensive and forward-looking yet eminently practical. Throughout examples of experiences from different countries are used to illustrate how specific problems can be addressed through innovation solutions. Topics explored range from strategies to deliver comprehensive and person-centred services to older populations to policies that enable older people to live in comfort and safety to ways to correct the problems and injustices inherent in current systems for long-term care.


Aging in Asia

Aging in Asia

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2012-07-31

Total Pages: 486

ISBN-13: 0309254094

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The population of Asia is growing both larger and older. Demographically the most important continent on the world, Asia's population, currently estimated to be 4.2 billion, is expected to increase to about 5.9 billion by 2050. Rapid declines in fertility, together with rising life expectancy, are altering the age structure of the population so that in 2050, for the first time in history, there will be roughly as many people in Asia over the age of 65 as under the age of 15. It is against this backdrop that the Division of Behavioral and Social Research at the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA) asked the National Research Council (NRC), through the Committee on Population, to undertake a project on advancing behavioral and social research on aging in Asia. Aging in Asia: Findings from New and Emerging Data Initiatives is a peer-reviewed collection of papers from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand that were presented at two conferences organized in conjunction with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, Indonesian Academy of Sciences, and Science Council of Japan; the first conference was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, and the second conference was hosted by the Indian National Science Academy in New Delhi. The papers in the volume highlight the contributions from new and emerging data initiatives in the region and cover subject areas such as economic growth, labor markets, and consumption; family roles and responsibilities; and labor markets and consumption.


Providing Healthy and Safe Foods As We Age

Providing Healthy and Safe Foods As We Age

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-11-29

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 0309158834

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Does a longer life mean a healthier life? The number of adults over 65 in the United States is growing, but many may not be aware that they are at greater risk from foodborne diseases and their nutritional needs change as they age. The IOM's Food Forum held a workshop October 29-30, 2009, to discuss food safety and nutrition concerns for older adults.


Public Health and Aging

Public Health and Aging

Author: Tom Hickey

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 1997-05-02

Total Pages: 364

ISBN-13: 9780801855597

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The role of public health in the planning, coordination, and delivery of health promotion and disease prevention services to older people living outside of institutional settings. Selected by Choice Magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title Current issues in the public health arena have challenged the system to broaden its traditional focus on infectious disease to include chronic disease as well. As this change in emphasis takes place, professionals must be prepared to address the special chronic health concerns of older people living in the community. This textbook meets the training needs of those professionals. Public Health and Aging examines the role of public health in the planning, coordination, and delivery of health promotion and disease prevention services to older people living outside of institutional settings. Here, experts in the areas of health care policy and care of aged persons analyze the scientific basis for the practice of public health in an increasingly aging society. Reviewing a wide range of the social, cultural, financial, and environmental factors that influence the health experiences of older population groups, the authors delve into the epidemiology of age-related chronic illnesses, program development, methodological issues, data collection and analysis, strategies for intervention, and ethics. From outlines for community-based program planning and development to discussions about the future challenges for health care systems and services, this book is an ideal reference for gerontology, public policy, and public health professionals and professionals in training.


Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis

Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis

Author: Pol Maria Rommens

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-12-19

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13: 3319665723

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Thanks to an increasing life expectancy of our populations the number of elderly persons is steadily growing and will continue to do so. Among these, the rate of persons with illnesses and degenerative diseases is significant. The prevalence of osteoporosis is especially high in elderly women and leads to typical fracture patterns. Hip fractures, proximal humerus fractures, distal radius fractures and fractures of the vertebral column are the most common. In the last decade, we are confronted with a sharp increase of fragility fractures of the pelvis. Until now, there is no consensus on how to identify and classify these lesions and there are no guidelines for treatment and after treatment. In particular, there is no common view on which patients need an operative treatment and which technique of osteosynthesis should be used. This book fills the gap in available literature and gives a state of the art guide to the treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvis. With the sharp increase of these fractures and the lacking consensus, Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis will become indispensable for the physicians who take care of elderly patients with this pathology. Written by a team of expert opinion leaders, the aim of this book is to contribute to the scientific discussion in this area and to help provide the optimal care for these patients.


Aged Care

Aged Care

Author: Diane Gibson

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1998-01-28

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 9780521559577

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The ageing of the population is a demographic phenomenon, a social problem and a policy issue. The increase in the numbers of aged and in the costs of supporting and caring for them have also brought increases in family care, in deinstitutionalisation of aged care services and in issues of quality and outcomes of care and consumer rights. The growing recognition of the feminisation of ageing also has significant social and policy consequences. In this 1998 book, Diane Gibson synthesises a wide range of material to provide an overview of these issues and policy responses worldwide. The book then looks in-depth at Australia, a country typical in the problems it faces, and a world leader in many of its solutions. Gibson also offers a more conceptual examination of theoretical implications and practical consequences. She elucidates debates in ways which will set new standards for aged care policy and practice worldwide.