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Aging and Health Education 209

aging. To meet these criteria health promotion and education programs should take into
account cognitive changes experienced as part of the aging process and physiological
changes and limitations, as well as expected outcomes on the part of program partici-
pants (Flood & Scharer, 2006; also see Hooyman & Kiyak, 2005). Programs should pro-
mote an early focus on disease prevention, injury and disability prevention, mental
health, and physical health and should also encourage social engagement activities
( Nakasato & Carnes, 2006).
The road we must take to reach the older adult population travels up a long learn-
ing curve. Appendix D lists a variety of resources available on the Internet that will
help you access methodologies and community of practice and other innovative possi-
bilities for health education practitioners focused on bringing together new ideas and
concepts to make a difference in the lives of older adults.

CONCLUSION
The ongoing growth of the population of older adults is creating challenges and oppor-
tunities for aging and health education practitioners (Atchley & Barusch, 2004; Hillier
& Barrow, 2007).
Building a working foundation of partnerships between health educators and
health practitioners specializing in aging in order to meet the challenges of living lon-
ger, adopting healthier lifestyles, and remaining active will allow the development of
new ideas, programs, and services that promote the concepts of managing chronic dis-
eases, promoting well - being in old age, and maintaining a perspective of productive,
robust, and successful aging. Resourceful strategies from health educators and aging
practitioners throughout our life journey can bring together life experiences and emerg-
ing options and opportunities to serve today ’ s older adults. Successful health educa-
tion for older adults will promote disease prevention, injury and disability prevention,
mental health, physical health, and social engagement. At the same time health educa-
tors and practitioners have to take into consideration “ the biological realities of aging ”
and tailor interventions to adequately serve the increasing and culturally diverse older
population (Nakasato & Carnes, 2006).

POINTS TO REMEMBER

■ Thanks to medical advances, an increase in health care access, and a decrease of
danger in the workplace, the life expectancy of Americans went up by an average
of 29 years between 1900 and 2000. Yet many public health professionals are not
adequately prepared to provide preventive services to older Americans.
■ Issues faced by the elderly include ageism, loss of family and friends, reduction in
socioeconomic status, loss of independence, and experiencing one or more chronic
diseases.

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