Respect Your Elders: A Public Health Approach to Supporting Mental Health in an Aging Population
Mentor 1
Rose Hennessy Garza
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
Mental health decline is more likely to impact humans as they age, especially in a population that is not having their social needs met, such as those who live semi-independent or outside of the care of an assisted living facility. An aging population is defined as people aged 65 years and older. Those who are impacted by loneliness are more likely to develop health conditions such as dementia. The purpose of this research is to use evidence and theory to develop a public health program to address mental health in an aging population. A modified version of Intervention Mapping was used to plan out a hypothetical program in Milwaukee, as well as an informal review of the literature for evidence-based strategies and behavioral health theories that will be applied. Literature was also used to define the problem and identify risk/protective factors for modification. The goal of this program is to provide resources and services to an aging population that will benefit their health. One of the key components of this program is education that will be provided to healthcare professionals in order to develop a further understanding of mental conditions as well as decrease elder abuse. Findings will be synthesized to include a community engagement plan, a logic model, evidence-based strategies, and the Social Capital Theory. This program addresses the importance of community engagement in providing feedback and direct communication for resources. Basing this program in theory and evidence provides the best method for effective outcomes. Improving the mental health of an aging population can better the overall health and treatment of persons, as well as a more empathetic and holistic approach in health care.
Respect Your Elders: A Public Health Approach to Supporting Mental Health in an Aging Population
Mental health decline is more likely to impact humans as they age, especially in a population that is not having their social needs met, such as those who live semi-independent or outside of the care of an assisted living facility. An aging population is defined as people aged 65 years and older. Those who are impacted by loneliness are more likely to develop health conditions such as dementia. The purpose of this research is to use evidence and theory to develop a public health program to address mental health in an aging population. A modified version of Intervention Mapping was used to plan out a hypothetical program in Milwaukee, as well as an informal review of the literature for evidence-based strategies and behavioral health theories that will be applied. Literature was also used to define the problem and identify risk/protective factors for modification. The goal of this program is to provide resources and services to an aging population that will benefit their health. One of the key components of this program is education that will be provided to healthcare professionals in order to develop a further understanding of mental conditions as well as decrease elder abuse. Findings will be synthesized to include a community engagement plan, a logic model, evidence-based strategies, and the Social Capital Theory. This program addresses the importance of community engagement in providing feedback and direct communication for resources. Basing this program in theory and evidence provides the best method for effective outcomes. Improving the mental health of an aging population can better the overall health and treatment of persons, as well as a more empathetic and holistic approach in health care.
