AGNG 320 Take-Home Mid-Term Exam

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 AGNG 320 Take-Home Mid-Term Exam

1) Discuss the following

i) Trends in aging and health and implications for aging services and policy

such as Medicare.

The trends in aging and health have significant implications for aging services and

policies such as Medicare. The number of older adults is increasing, and with that, the prevalence

of chronic diseases and disabilities is also increasing. This trend poses a significant challenge for

aging services and policies as the demand for services such as long-term care, home-based care,

and medical services is expected to increase (Haber, 2021). Medicare, the federal health

insurance program for people aged 65 and over, needs to adapt to these changes to ensure that it

continues to provide adequate and affordable healthcare services to older adults. One of the

implications is that Medicare needs to expand its coverage to include preventive services that can

help reduce the burden of chronic diseases and disabilities. This would involve working with

healthcare providers and other stakeholders to develop evidence-based prevention strategies that

can be delivered effectively and efficiently.

ii) Leading causes of death, Hospitalizations, and medications use/ expenditure

among older adults and implications for aging or health services/ programs.

The leading causes of death, hospitalizations, and medication use/expenditure among

older adults are closely related to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and

diabetes. Chronic diseases are responsible for most of the healthcare costs among older adults,

and they pose a significant challenge to aging and health services/programs (Haber, 2021). To

address these challenges, aging and health services/programs need to focus on preventive

measures that can help reduce the risk factors for chronic diseases. This would involve providing
evidence-based interventions such as physical activity programs, smoking cessation, and healthy

diet programs that can help older adults maintain their health and prevent chronic diseases.

Additionally, there needs to be an emphasis on medication management and the appropriate use

of medications among older adults to reduce the risk of adverse drug events and improve health

outcomes.

2) Questions

i) What stage (s) of change may Dan be in and why? Explain and give specific

examples from the case study to support your ideas. What may help Dan Move

to the next stage of change?

Based on the information provided in the case study, it appears that Dan may be in the

contemplation or preparation stage of change. In the contemplation stage, individuals are aware

of the need for change but may not yet be committed to making a change (Smith, 2013). In the

preparation stage, individuals are planning to take action to change their behavior in the near

future. Dan seems to be aware of the importance of managing his blood sugar levels and

reducing his risk of developing diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. He has already made some

changes to his diet and has started to engage in physical activity, which suggests that he may be

in the preparation stage. However, he is still finding it challenging to get the recommended level

of physical activity and is considering taking aerobic classes at the gym and working with a

trainer, which may suggest that he is still in the contemplation stage. To move to the next stage

of change, Dan may benefit from additional support and encouragement. For example, he could

join a support group or work with a health coach to develop a plan for achieving his goals. He

may also benefit from education about the risks of diabetes and the benefits of physical activity

and healthy eating.

 ii) Explain Dan’s motivation for health behavior change in order to better regulate

his blood sugar using the health belief model. Information can be found on the

health behavior change for wellness PPT, Side 3,4-7 and Health Belief Model.

The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a theoretical framework that can be used to explain

Dan's motivation for health behavior change. The HBM suggests that individuals are more likely

to engage in health behaviors if they perceive themselves to be at risk for a particular health

problem, believe that the benefits of the behavior change outweigh the costs, and have

confidence in their ability to make the change. In Dan's case, he is motivated to change his

behavior because he recognizes that he is at risk for developing diabetes, stroke, and heart

disease. His father's experience may have also heightened his perception of risk. He believes that

the benefits of managing his blood sugar and engaging in physical activity outweigh the costs,

such as giving up sweets and committing to regular exercise. Finally, he appears to have

confidence in his ability to make the necessary changes, as evidenced by his willingness to work

with a dietician, take walks, and consider joining a gym. Overall, the HBM suggests that Dan's

motivation for health behavior change is influenced by his perception of risk, the perceived

benefits of the behavior change, and his confidence in his ability to make the change.

3) Questions

i) What are medical screening and why are they important?

Medical screenings are tests or exams performed to identify any signs or symptoms of a

disease or health condition, even if the individual does not have any symptoms. These screenings

help in detecting and preventing diseases at an early stage and improving health outcomes. They
are important because early detection can lead to early intervention, resulting in better health

outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

ii) Describe hypertension screening and high blood pressure.

Hypertension screening is a medical test used to measure an individual's blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. High blood

pressure, also known as hypertension, is when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries

is consistently too high, and it can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke,

and kidney failure.

iii) Describe cholesterol screening, cholesterol levels, and cholesterol guidelines.

Cholesterol screening is a medical test used to measure the levels of cholesterol in the

blood. Cholesterol is a type of fat found in the blood and is essential for various bodily functions.

High levels of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol (often referred to as "bad" cholesterol),

can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol guidelines recommend maintaining

a total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dL, and HDL

cholesterol above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women.

iv) Are Christine’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels normal? Why or why not?

Christine's blood pressure is considered high, which means her blood pressure reading is

consistently above the normal range of 120/80 mmHg. Her HDL cholesterol level of 56 is

considered good, while her LDL cholesterol level of 98 puts her at risk for developing

cardiovascular disease, particularly given her family history and other risk factors. The

recommended LDL cholesterol level varies depending on an individual's risk factors for

cardiovascular disease. For individuals at high risk, such as Christine, the recommended LDL
cholesterol level is typically below 100 mg/dL. Therefore, while Christine's HDL cholesterol

level is good, her LDL cholesterol level is considered borderline high, and she is at risk for

developing cardiovascular disease. It's important for Christine to work with her healthcare

provider to manage her blood pressure and cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes such as

diet and exercise, and potentially medications to help reduce her risk of developing heart disease.

4) Respond to the following

a) What is the incidence of falls in older adults and why is it important to address

falls and fall prevention in older adults?

Falls are a significant problem in older adults, with approximately one-third of adults

aged 65 and older experiencing a fall each year. Falls can result in serious injuries such as hip

fractures, head injuries, and lacerations, as well as lead to a decline in physical functioning and

loss of independence. Additionally, falls are a major cause of healthcare costs and increased

healthcare utilization. It's important to address falls and fall prevention in older adults to reduce

the risk of falls and the associated negative consequences.

b) What are common risk factors for falls?

Common risk factors for falls include a history of previous falls, balance and gait

problems, muscle weakness, vision problems, medication use, environmental hazards, and

chronic health conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Additionally, older

adults who are socially isolated or who have limited mobility are also at increased risk for falls.

c) How can falls be prevented and treated?

Falls can be prevented and treated through a variety of approaches, including exercise

and physical therapy to improve strength, balance, and mobility, modifying the home
environment to reduce fall hazards, medication management to reduce the risk of medication-

related falls, and addressing underlying health conditions that increase the risk of falls.

Additionally, wearing appropriate footwear, using assistive devices such as canes or walkers, and

participating in fall prevention programs can also help reduce the risk of falls. In the event of a

fall, appropriate medical attention should be sought to address any injuries and prevent further

complications.
 References

Haber, D. (2021). Health Promotion and aging: Practical applications for health professionals.

8th edition, Chapter 1 introduction (pp. 6-22,25-37).

Smith, N. (2013). Trans-Theoretical Model of Behavior Change. In YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO80XyBDrl0

Healthy Aging and Health-Related Policy PPT, Sides 5-6, 10-16.