recreational therapy: an introduction chapter 9: geriatric practice powerpoint slides
TRANSCRIPT
Growing aging population in the U.S.
There are approximately 89 million Americans aged 65 and older.
This population more than doubled the number of aging persons in the U.S. in 2010.
Growing aging population in Canada
By 2031, a projected 9 million Canadians will be over age 65.
This will be 25% of Canada’s population, almost double today’s aging population of 13%.
Ageism
The term ageism was coined by Robert Butler, a geriatrician, to describe the “prejudice and discrimination against older adults.”
(Ferrini & Ferrini, 2013, p. 6)
Geriatrics
Geriatrics is the study of “health and disease in later life; the comprehensive health care of older persons; and the well-being of their informal caregivers.”
(Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, 2006)
Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the aging process and individuals as they grow from midlife through later life, including the study of physical, mental and social changes; the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population; the allocation of the knowledge to policies, programs, and practice. As a result of the multidisciplinary focus of gerontology, professionals from diverse fields call themselves gerontologists.
(Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, 2006)
Chronic conditions and older adults
Chronic conditions are especially prevalent among older adults.
For persons over age 65, 90% have a chronic condition, and 77% have two or more chronic conditions.
The focus of treatment is managing the chronic illness by reducing symptoms.
Dementia
Dementia is a cognitive disorder that affects 5.5 Americans.
It is a progressive brain impairment that interferes with memory and typical intellectual functioning.
The problems are severe enough that they interfere with the ability to perform activities of daily living.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “the symptoms of dementia may vary, but two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia: (a) memory, (b) communication and language, (c) ability to focus and pay attention, (d) reasoning and judgment, and (f) visual perception.”
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60% to 80% of all dementias.
Roles of RTs in geriatric care
Expert clinician
Trainer and educator
Consumer of evidence
Supervisor and manager
Clinical practice guidelines for geriatric RT
Dementia Practice Guidelines for Recreational Therapy (Buettner & Fitzsimmons, 2013)
Recreational Therapy for the Treatment of Depression in Older Adults: A Clinical Practice Guideline (Buettner, Cummins et al., 2008)
Research examples: The efficacy of RT in geriatrics
Older adults with chronic conditions benefited from physical activity by displaying significant increases in physical performance and functional mobility.
Persons with dementia who received RT significantly decreased depression, agitation, apathy, and passivity and increased self-efficacy.