Healthy Ageing 3

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011.

Transportation

Mobility outside the home is important for many reasons. It enables people to maintain social connections, participate in the community, and fulfill personal needs, and it supports independence and choice. An active lifestyle can help the older adult to retain driving capacity longer since physical frailty and associated health issues commonly force driving cessation

Addressing driver fitness in older adults is often sensitive. Often people are dependent on driving and uninformed about alternatives; consequently, they feel they need to keep driving. There are safety concerns with older drivers, such as slow reaction time, driving too slowly, and not paying attention to pedestrians. Older drivers are better at identifying vision and fatigue problems, as opposed to cognitive function declines. Factors that may compromise the older adult’s driving ability include changes in the visual field, reduced hearing ability, decreased strength, coordination and flexibility, and medication side effects.

It is useful to assess driving ability in mid-life, and there are self-assessment tests readily available. Being proactive and informed about alternatives means that changes can be accommodated and lifestyle minimally disrupted when driving ceases. The older adult will live about 7 – 10 years beyond their driving ability, so anticipating future transportation matters.

Healthy Ageing 2

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011

Housing

The majority of older adults live in their own homes and would prefer to stay there as long as possible. Both the home physical environment and surrounding environment play roles in healthy ageing. Safe, appropriate housing has features that support optimum independence, even if changes in function or ability occur. In the surrounding environment, neighbourhoods that are perceived as safe and offer walking routes to local services and parks encourage residents to rely less on their cars. Many older adults are realizing the benefits of living close to essential services and are leaving suburban and rural areas for the city.

The sooner older adults assess their living environment, the easier it will be to make changes or adaptations to support healthy ageing. If they remain until their home is no longer suitable and must move, their housing options will narrow, and they may be less able to adapt. Studies show the longer older adults remain at home, the less likely it is that they’ll move, because of financial, emotional and logistical barriers, even if the home becomes unsuitable.

Healthy Ageing 1

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011

Health

Older adults need health planning because they are at risk of becoming inactive and developing a major illness, or disability, or chronic disease. The individual can do much to address these challenges: one-half of age-related declines are preventable and physical activity is one of the best antidotes to age-related disease and disability. Maintaining good health is critical to retaining independence and living at home longer.

Low intensity, low-cost activities such as moderate, regular walking are among the most simple and popular ways to be physically active. Having social support and the recommendation of a physician are both helpful for getting older adults more physically active. Practicing a healthy lifestyle is also beneficial for the brain—this is especially important, as the risk of dementia increases with age. Cognitive and physical activity and healthy eating have been linked to brain health, maintaining memory and lowering the risk of dementia.

Social Networks

The literature strongly emphasizes social networks: they contribute to general well-being and are integrally linked to health, happiness, and self-worth. They help older adults stay engaged and active—especially important for those who live alone or who have lost loved ones. They provide emotional support, assistance with daily living activities, and activities such as walking groups can even enhance health. Social benefits can also be realized through online communities.

AGE-WELL NCE Inc

Have you ever heard of AGE-WELL NCE Inc.? I haven’t and I have been writing about senior issues for about 10 years and have been involved in creating and delivering workshops on senior health and wellness. I guess they are not promoting themselves to senior populations but only to academics and technology companies. I suspect that there are some who know what they do, but I didn’t and for that, I take responsibility and will introduce you to them, as they might be doing some good for seniors. The following is from their report published in 2018.

AGE-WELL is a federally-funded Network of Centres of Excellence established in 2015 to support Canadian research and innovation in the area of technology and ageing. AGE-WELL is dedicated to the development and delivery of technologies, services and policies/practices that benefit older adults and caregivers.

Our aim is to help older Canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life through technology-based solutions that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation. As Canada’s technology and ageing network, AGE-WELL brings together more than 200 funded and affiliated researchers from 40 universities and research centres across Canada.

Over 250 industry, government and non-profit partners work closely with us on solutions for healthy ageing.

AGE-WELL also trains the next generation of leaders in the field of technology and ageing, with almost 500 trainees now in our ranks. Our research projects are organized into eight research themes (called Workpackages), supported by four Crosscutting Activities in knowledge mobilization, commercialization, team-working and training.

Age Well is the only pan-Canadian network that brings everyone together—researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders— to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. In three short years, AGE-WELL has tripled in size. Today, our network includes more than 200 researchers from 40 universities and research centres across Canada.

We have over 250 industry, community, government and academic partners who share our vision that Canada’s leadership in technology and ageing benefits the world. These are meaningful partnerships. Consider that every research project has at least one industry or community partner who makes a significant in-kind or cash investment. End-users take part in these projects. In fact, more than 4,500 older adults and caregivers are involved. This is how we ensure our products are practical and useful.