Week 8 - Healthy Aging

Question 1

What is the WHO definition of health?

Answer 1

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 2

What is the WHO definition of healthy aging?

Answer 2

The process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.

Question 3

What abilities are central to healthy aging?

Answer 3

Meeting basic needs, learning and making decisions, being mobile, maintaining relationships, contributing to society

Question 4

Why is there no typical older person?

Answer 4

Because older individuals vary in functional capacity from robust to care-dependent

Question 5

What is the main cause of capacity differences in older age?

Answer 5

Lifelong accumulation of advantages and disadvantages

Question 6

When does healthy aging begin?

Answer 6

At birth!

Question 7

Can intervention in aging be effective?

Answer 7

Yes, if harmful factors are identified and targeted

Question 8

What should the focus of aging interventions be?

Answer 8

Improving quality of life, not just extending lifespan

Question 9

How does ‘healthy aging’ differ from ‘successful aging’ and ‘aging well’?

Answer 9

Healthy aging: involves society
Successful aging: is individual
Aging well: involves policy

Question 10

What are key features of successful aging?

Answer 10

Low chronic conditions, high mental/physical function and adapting to age related changes

Question 11

What are some indicators of healthy aging?

Answer 11

Chronic disease rates, social engagement, physical activity, functioning, and cognitive capability

Question 12

What does aging in place require?

Answer 12

Adaptations to health, financial and family changes

Question 13

How can communities support aging in place?

Answer 13

Through accessible housing, transportation and services

Question 14

Is physical and mental decline inevitable and irreversible?

Answer 14

Myth

Question 15

Who is the least active age group?

Answer 15

Older adults

Question 16

What do Canadian guidelines recommend for older adult activity?

Answer 16

150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week

Question 17

What are barriers to physical activity in older adults?

Answer 17

Misinformation, fear of harm, lack of accessible spaces

Question 18

What makes an intervention effective?

Answer 18

Clear goals, targeted sub-population, defined methods, and measurable outcomes

Question 19

What makes a good intervention feasible?

Answer 19

It can be implemented at the population level

Question 20

What is an example of a successful intervention?

Answer 20

The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study

Question 21

What did the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study intervention include?

Answer 21

Diet counseling, physical activity and goal setting to reduce diabetes risk

Question 22

What are the 4 types of research in intervention evaluation?

Answer 22

Determinant, efficacy, effectiveness, dissemination/implementation studies

Question 23

What are common reasons interventions fail?

Answer 23

Poor evidence, bad implementation, and wrong modifications

Question 24

Why is walkability important in interventions?

Answer 24

Walkable spaces can increase physical activity in older adults

Question 25

What should be evaluated in policy-oriented interventions?

Answer 25

Feasibility, clarity, scalability and adaptability

Question 26

What is the CDC's definition of healthy aging?

Answer 26

Development and maintenance of optimal physical, mental and social well-being in older adults

Question 27

What influences healthy aging over the life course?

Answer 27

Biological, behavioural, socially and environmental processes

Question 28

What was the significance of the Alameda County Study?

Answer 28

It showed how behaviours like smoking, inactivity and poor sleep impact mortality and disability

Question 29

What are the cor principles of social and behavioral aging research?

Answer 29

Heterogeneity, life course perspective, social context and potential for intervention

Question 30

What is meant by heterogeneity of the older population?

Answer 30

Older adults vary widely in health and function, more than at other life stages

Question 31

What does 'aging as a life course phenomenon' mean?

Answer 31

Aging is shaped by lifelong interactions of biology, behaviour and environment

Question 32

What is the life course perspective in aging interventions?

Answer 32

Interventions can be beneficial at almost any age or disability level

Question 33

What is active life expectancy?

Answer 33

The portion of life spent in good health and functional independence

Question 34

What were five health practices from Alameda linked to longevity?

Answer 34

No smoking, regular exercise, healthy weight, good sleep, limited alcohol

Question 35

What is the public health message about physical activity in older age?

Answer 35

Some is better than non, start slow and build up

Question 36

What are supportive features of effective physical activity programs?

Answer 36

Motivational environments, supervision, feedback and social support

Question 37

Why is ZIP code considered a health factor?

Answer 37

It reflects access to resources, safety, walkability and social determinants

Question 38

What is the '8 80 Cities' movement?

Answer 38

Urban design that supports both 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds to be active

Question 39

What environmental design factors promote walkability?

Answer 39

Street safety, aesthetics, access to services and perceived safety

Question 40

What does the 'smart growth' movement emphasize?

Answer 40

Mixed land use, walkability, transportation choice and community

Question 41

What is a challenge that exists in environmental aging research?

Answer 41

Most studies are cross-sectional or use natural experiments

Question 42

What is disseminating and implementation in research?

Answer 42

It studies how to spread and sustain effective interventions in real-world settings

Question 43

What are the 4 guiding questions for research translation?

Answer 43

Identify behaviors, assess consequences, test interventions, and understand dissemination

Question 44

What is the therapeutic element in evidence-based programs?

Answer 44

The core health behaviour change targeted by the intervention

Question 45

What is the delivery mechanism in interventions?

Answer 45

How the program is implemented to reach and motivate participants

Question 46

Why is siloed research a problem?

Answer 46

It only focuses on one aspect (e.g. behaviour, environment) missing the full picture

Question 47

What approach is replacing the silo model?

Answer 47

Integrated approaches combining behavioural, environmental and genetic factors

Question 48

What makes an intervention scalable?

Answer 48

It can be adapted to new settings while maintaining effectiveness

Question 49

How can community partnerships help in intervention success?

Answer 49

They increase reach, sustainability and real world relevance

Question 50

What are the 5 principles of the National Framework on Aging?

Answer 50

Dignity, independence, participation, fairness and security

Question 51

What are the 5 key focus areas for healthy aging in Canada?

Answer 51

Social connectedness, physical activity, healthy eating, falls prevention and tobacco control

Question 52

What is mutual aid in the context of aging?

Answer 52

Support among individuals including volunteerism, caregiving, and intergenerational help

Question 53

What are 3 mechanisms to achieve healthy aging?

Answer 53

Supportive environments, mutual aid and self care

Question 54

How does healthy aging impact chronic disease?

Answer 54

It can delay onset and reduce severity, lowering long-term care needs

Question 55

What contributes to social isolation in older adults?

Answer 55

Retirement, sensory decline, disability and loss of relationships

Question 56

What is the economic cost of falls among seniors?

Answer 56

$2.8 billion yearly in Canada

Question 57

What barriers affect senior nutrition?

Answer 57

Isolation, poor oral heath, chronic illness and income

Question 58

What do senior ambassadors do?

Answer 58

They promote awareness and advocate for healthy aging practices

Question 59

What are the 5 essential domains of healthy aging identified in the review (Lu)?

Answer 59

Physical capabilities, cognitive function, metabolic/physiological health, psychological well-being, and social well-being

Question 60

What is Rowe and Kahn's theory?

Answer 60

Distinguishes 'usual' vs 'successful' aging

Question 61

What are the 3 standards of successful aging by Rowe and Kahn?

Answer 61

Low probability of disease/disability, high physical and cognitive function, and active engagement with life

Question 62

What theory did Baltes and Baltes propose?

Answer 62

The 'selective optimization with compensation' theory (SOC)

Question 63

What are the 3 strategies in SOC theory?

Answer 63

Selection, optimization and compensation

Question 64

What are the 4 elements in WHO's healthy aging framework?

Answer 64

Functional ability, intrinsic capacity, environments and well-being

Question 65

What measurement is most commonly used for cognitive function?

Answer 65

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Question 66

What is a limitation of MMSE?

Answer 66

It is not sensitive to mild cognitive impairment>

Question 67

What cognitive tests are recommended alongside MMSE?

Answer 67

Memory tests, verbal fluency, working memory, time orientation

Question 68

Why might IADLs introduce gender bias?

Answer 68

Some tasks are more associated with traditional female roles

Question 69

What is a limitation of BMI in older adults?

Answer 69

Doesn't account for changes in muscle-to-fat ratio with age

Question 70

Why is comparing psychological scales difficult?

Answer 70

They often overlap conceptually or use inconsistent terminology

Question 71

What tool is commonly used for social support?

Answer 71

The Lubben Social Network Scale

Question 72

Why is 'disease free aging' a problematic classification?

Answer 72

It excludes those with manageable or compensated ailments

Question 73

What is a key critique of Rowe and Kahn's Successful aging model?

Answer 73

It excludes a huge number of older adults, even those with minor impairments

Question 74

Why should social well-being measurements be culturally sensitive?

Answer 74

Norms and expectations differ by culture and class

Question 75

What is preferred, functional ability or absence of disease?

Answer 75

Functional ability, it reflects real-world capacity to thrive even with medical conditions