Health Education in the Geriatric Patient

The promotion of health are measures that promote an optimal state of physical, mental and social development in the population. These measures include actions in the field of health education, public health policy, disease treatment and preventive measures.

The goal of health promotion in the elderly population is to maintain the highest degree of autonomy and prevent the onset of disease. It sets a top priority to improve the quality of life by promoting behaviors that favor a style of living. However, in the elderly disease prevention has special features. In many cases the disease are already present and perhaps more important than the classic goals of reducing mortality and increasing life expectancy, are the goals of preventing and delaying functional decline, avoid dependency and maintain independence and quality of life .

 

Health education is a basic tool in promoting health and preventive action. Preventative measures are classified according to the disease stage where they develop:

• Primary Prevention. It occurs when we try to prevent the occurrence of disease through risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyles (promoting physical activity, changes in the home, abandoned toxic habits, etc.).
• Secondary Prevention. To try early detect and treat existing diseases but hitherto asymptomatic (controls blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids, etc.).
• Tertiary Prevention. To try to avoid sequels, exacerbations, relapses, and promote the rehabilitation and recovery of the same (drug treatment, rehabilitation, etc..).

 

 

In my opinion, in the elderly all types of prevention are important, although most measures will be included among the secondary prevention measures. This is due to meet existing injuries or diseases at an early stage and in an attempt to prevent its progression.

 

 

 

Bibliography:

• Wideman M.. Geriatric Care Management: Role, Need, and Benefits. Home Health Nurse; 2011.