Week 7
October 27, 2016
WhAging, Health and community
Youth (15-24 years) in Canada, most likely to suffer from mental illness
In 2020, predicted mental health will be #1 disability
The Mindfulness Experiment:
Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment,
and non-judgmentally
Getting out of mindlessness
o (almost) always in the ‘story in our head’
o Ruminating on the past or worrying about the future
Why choose mindful and not mindless?
o Why mindfulness is a super power video (animated)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6T02g5hnT4
Neuroscience research
o Meditation can literally change your brain
Fight or flight response, grey matter in brain helps with productivity and focus
Practice meditation to be more mindful
Who she is:
o PhD in public health
Research:
Social scientist
Gerontologist
Qualitative health research
Community based research
Place Matters; Aging, Health and Community:
Despite increasing disability and limited financial resources;
o A life filled with joy, laughter and adventure
o A life lives with dignity
Unlocking the secrets of a good old age
What was Brownie’s secret?
o Broke most age-proofing “rules” according to textbook
o Community, genetics, psychology, happiness
o Her neighborhood
Neighbors/friends
Valued and respected community member
Support – physical, social, emotional
Walkable
Pubs and café’s
Place matters:
Environments effect health
Environments are places where we live, work and play
Environments are social and physical spaces
o Places aren’t just “backdrops” to life, not just geographical Week 7
October 27, 2016
Neighborhoods are a key place of aging (environment)
Clicker Question: Other “key places of aging” as described in the reading include: the body, the
home, institutions, and retirement communities
o True
Why focus here? Rationale for Aging and Neighbourhood
o For the first time ever we have more people over 65 than under the age of 20
Historical age pyramid
o Baby boom increasing old age, never had to deal with this much old age before
Aging in Place:
People want to age in place: grow old in their own home, own neighbourhood
92% of seniors in Canada live at home in private households
Also: limited public dollars- increasing concern of the economic “burden” of seniors living in
nursing home and using healthcare dollars
Pressure from older adult activists – the “raging grannies”
This will necessitate new government policies and changes in general attitudes to older adults
Health is a resource for everyday life that includes physical, social and psychological elements
Health is more than the absence of disease and more than the object of living
Aging is:
A normal process: changes – physical, soc
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