http://www.sports-council-wales.org.uk/resource/11113.12954.file.eng.jpg
Wilcock, (2007) has proposed the concept of 'active aging' as a means of older people staying healthy, active and satisfied. Looking at this with an occupational perspective; it is well established within occupational therapy literature that occupations contribute to individual health and well being (Borell, 2008 & Kielhofner, 2004). Therefore, active aging is a proactive means of maintaining mental, physical, social and emotional health through engagement in occupation rather than adhering to the commonly accepted social norm in western society, which is to quieten down as one ages (Wilcock, 2007).
Incorporating active aging in occupational therapy practice with older people could ensure higher therapeutic outcomes. Encouraging older people to be more active and not feel constrained by their age will ensure that older people are challenged, stimulated and fulfilled as they age. This will have a positive benefit on health. Wilcock, (2007, pg 15), argues in her article that active agers have to fight against ‘conventions, bureaucracy, families and health professionals’ in order to be able to age actively.
Wilcock, (2007) also asserts that occupational therapists should look past only addressing the needs of people with medically defined illness or disability and focus on the full spectrum of the aging population, including healthy individuals. This is in line with working at a population level; the 'upstream' approach that I discussed in a previous post about working at community and population levels. Remember, if active aging is one of the fences that stop people falling off the metaphorical cliff, then there are not as many people to rescue at the bottom.
I believe that Occupational therapy could narrow the barriers that hinder active aging by bringing it into the public consciousness. This could be done through advertising and awareness campaigns to the masses at a population level right down to regional and local involvement through district health boards, local councils, general practitioners and primary health organisations. Of course this approach would include the three principles of the Treaty of Waitangi; partnership, protection and participation.
Jamie
Doesn't active ageing make perfect sense? Especially from an occupational therapists view. But isn't it interesting that, as you say, older people have to essentially fight for their right to do this. It's almost like 'children should be seen and not heard' except we are talking about older people here.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the older population just need some encouragement and help to gain the confidence to have a bit of fun and age actively! I mean really, they do have the best stories to tell and have more experience than all the rest of us, why should they stop once they hit a certain age?
I think it would be great to see campaigns aimed at helping older people become more active.