PERSON-ENVIRONMENT AND AGING What is it?

Dynamic, interactive system Person and environment have to be studied jointly A person’s behaviour is a function of both the person and their environment – especially the person’s perception of their environment

Competence and environmental press Competence: best functional capacity of an individual Measured in five areas: 1.Biological health 2.Sensory-perceptual functioning 3.Motor skills 4.Cognitive skills 5.Ego strength

Competence and environmental press Environmental press: demands placed by the environment on each individual The demands can be: 1.Physical 2.Interpersonal 3.Social

Lawton and Nahemov’s model The less competent a person is, the more impact the environment has

Kahana’s Congruence Model People search for environments that best meet their needs Environments vary in their ability to meet different people’s needs and demands Congruence is especially important when options are limited This model is helpful in assessing long- term care facilities

Stress and Coping Theory Older adults’ adaptation to the environment depends on Their perception of environmental stress and Their attempts to cope Social systems and institutions may buffer the effects of stress

Loss-Continuum Concept Aging seen as a progressive series of losses that reduces one’s social participation Therefore, home and neighbourhood become more important Very important to help individuals maintain competence and independence This model is more a practical guide and not a theory

Concept of Everyday Competence Ability to perform behaviours essential for independent living: Physical Psychological Social

Willis Model of Everyday Competence Antecedents: individual (e.g. health, cognitive status) and sociocultural (e.g. social policy, health care policy) Components: intraindividual (how a person experiences their health, cognition) and contextual (how a particular policy is implemented in each case) Mechanisms: variables that can affect expression of competence, e.g. personal perception of self- competence or of control Outcomes: primarily physical and psychological well- being, the basic components of successful aging

What Is Optimal Aging? Avoiding disease Engaged in life (as opposed to withdrawal) Good cognitive and physical functioning The last two more important: many seniors with diseases age successfully Important: dignity and independence

Strategies Healthy lifestyle Cognitive stimulation Positive, optimistic outlook Social network Healthy finances Importance of health promotion programs adapted to all groups (SES, ethnicity, etc) Four levels of preventive intervention (see text)