Aging and Health

Autor: Ivan Watkins, Lori L. Jervis, Bo Xie
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Health, Illness, Behavior, and Society
DOI: 10.1002/9781118410868.wbehibs389
Popis: Aging refers to the psychological, cognitive, and physiological processes and changes that occur in people as they grow older, while health refers to the absence of disease, and may be extended to include broader notions of well-being. Older adults face physical challenges not present in younger age groups, and differences exist between genders and ethnicities in threats to physical health in old age. An increase in global population aging places stressors on formal health care systems, informal caregivers, and retirement/pension systems, many of which are not prepared to meet upcoming challenges. Technological advances offer older adults new ways to cope with health challenges, maintain their independence, and access health information, but effective interventions are often necessary for older adults to make use of these resources. In recent years, the concept of successful aging has gained prominence, which can emphasize physical health and functioning, the preservation of social relations, and engagement in productive activities. Keywords: age; health; health care; sociology of aging; technology
Databáze: OpenAIRE