高齡者身心靈全方位的健康促進

Promoting Well-Being in Old Age from Physical, Psychosocial and Spiritual Perspectives

人口快速老化，過去民眾對於老化及高齡者健康，多存有錯誤的負面刻板印象，認為老化就等於全身是病，因而擔心無法獨立面對變老後的生活。然而實證研究指出，高齡者的健康與良好的生理、心理與社會功能狀態有關。透過維持良好的生活習慣，以及有品質的社會關係，高齡者能夠保有身心社會的健康，並延緩疾病與失能的發生。此外，社會整體若能對老化採取正向的文化觀，將有助於提升高齡者面對老化所需要之心理社會適應能力。多數高齡者若能擁有足夠正向的特質、經驗與支持，即使嚴重失能需要協助時，仍能保持樂觀與正向心情去面對，而靈性是老化過程中能作到重要的應對策略，可協助高齡者在面對創傷、重病或死亡時，尋求生命旅程的意義與價值。醫療工作者應給予高齡個案正確的健康促進衛教指導，以協助其成功訂作健康老化的樂活人生。

 

The population has been aging rapidly worldwide, perpetuating the stereotype that old age inevitably results in diseases and inability to live independently. However, empirical studies have shown that the health of older adults is associated with their physical, mental, and social functions. By maintaining a positive life lifestyle, quality interpersonal relationships, and active social participation, older adults would have no problem keeping themselves healthy physically, mentally, and socially and preventing the development of diseases or disabilities. In addition, an overall positive cultural perspective of the society on aging is conducive to older adults’ mental and social adaptation to aging. Quite a few older adults exhibit adequate resilience and an ability to maintain an optimistic and positive mindset in spite of the presence of disabilities and need of assistance in their daily activities. Spirituality too is an integral part of any effective coping strategy against aging as it helps older adults explore the meaning and value of their lives in the face of trauma, serious illnesses, and death. Medical workers should therefore strive to provide older patients with correct health education and instructions capable of helping them achieve holistic successful aging.