Week 12 - Public Policy for an Aging Population Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the eco-social perspective?
Considers how social and environmental contexts interact with biological aging
What is life course perspective?
Focuses on how early-life advantages/disadvantages accumulate and affect aging
What is the big picture framework in gerontology?
Includes eco-social aspects, life course, interdisciplinary approach, and systemic responses
What is the differences between contextual and compositional effects?
Contextual = environment affects individuals
Compositional = individuals shape communities
What is public policy?
A course of action proposed or adopted by governments or institutions
How are Canadian public policies structured?
It is multi-level governance,
Federal (pensions),
Provincial (healthcare),
Municipal (services).
What is a challenge with current public policy?
Policies are often reactive, focused on treatment, not prevention
Why is equity important in aging policy?
To ensure inclusion regardless of age, race ability or income
How does research inform policy?
Through evidence based findings, needs assessments and program evaluation
What is epidemiology?
They study of health distribution and determinants in populations
What is demography?
The study of population size, structure, and distribution
Who are policies generally designed for?
Younger people, working population, focused on economic benefits
What is aging research?
Study of biological, social, and health-related aspects of older populations
What is meant by interdisciplinary gerontology?
Studying aging from biological, psychological, social, and policy perspectives
What helps ease the morning process?
Discussing wishes beforehand and pre-planning arrangements like funeral type and obituary
How long can grief last for a surviving spouse?
6-12 months or more, even with anticipatory grieving
What support can help with grief management?
Bereavement groups and widow-to-widow programs
What is the role of obituaries in grieving?
They are cultural artifacts that publicly reflect the individual’s life
Why are funeral costs a financial burden?
Without preplanning, emotionally vulnerable survivors may overspend
What is structural lag in public policy?
Policies designed for young societies are outdated for aging populations
Why is a life-course approach important in policy?
It addresses needs across all ages, not just old age
What makes social policies age-neutral in some countries?
Policies integrate work, learning, and pensions regardless of age (e.g., Sweden, Finland)
What challenge comes from Canada’s multilevel governance?
Overlap and confusion between federal, provincial, and municipal responsibilities
What does ‘downloading’ mean in healthcare?
Costs shift from federal to provincial to individuals, reducing service access
