Centre on Aging, University of Victoria

2003 Research Unit Award

This internationally recognized research centre studies the social and psychological aspects of aging and population health and health services delivery. Unit funding will assist researchers to focus in three areas: the role of social-psychological, environmental and structural factors in promoting health and preventing illness as people age, with special attention to vulnerable populations; assessing informal and self-care approaches to health, particularly for those with poor health or disability; and assessing formal delivery of care, including specific programs and systems of care.

Life expectancy has risen from less than 50 years in 1900 to almost 80 years today. The majority of older adults live independently in the community with a minimum of services, yet those who do need services tend to make heavier use of the system than other groups. Multiple factors besides age account for the differences between older adults who maintain effective function well into old age and those who experience significant aging-related decline and disability for much of later life. Many of these influences are rooted in social, psychological, environmental and cultural differences and experiences. A psychosocial population health research perspective is required to better understand the needs of and deliver appropriate health services to this diverse population. This perspective recognizes a broad range of determinants of health and the need for research that spans many levels of analysis, including individual, social, institutional, and community levels.

This multidisciplinary, university-based research centre advances knowledge of aging through a broad range of studies that focus on the social, psychological, environmental and cultural contexts in which people live, as well as the institutions (e.g. health delivery systems) responsible for the health of aging populations. The centre’s overall goals are to:

• Contribute to improving the health and quality of life of older adults.
• Assist families, health care providers and the government in meeting the challenges and potential of an aging society.

Within this broad orientation, research projects coalesce around two broad themes.

Understanding vulnerability and promoting health
To understand and address why some seniors are more likely to experience disability than others, researchers are looking at a range of issues related to vulnerability, health promotion, and the health care delivery system. These include:

• Examining healthy behaviours and outcomes as a function of different cultural, social, and living conditions.
• Developing and assessing strategies for coping with and caring for specific health conditions.
• Developing and assessing strategies to promote healthy individual functioning.
• Exploring how to promote and ensure healthy communities.
• Exploring how to deliver health care that is appropriate, accessible and affordable.

Cognition, health and everyday competence in aging
Aging is associated with significant levels of cognitive impairment and other mental health problems, leading to significant decline in quality of life for older adults and increased demand for health services. Within the broad area of mental health and aging, centre researchers are addressing many questions, including:

• Early diagnosis of neurological and other disorders.
• The impact of cognitive impairment in specific everyday functioning, such as driving and financial management.
• Influences and interventions that may delay or prevent the onset of cognitive decline and other mental health problems.
• Ways in which the formal and informal care systems can be organized to effectively manage individuals with varying types of mental health impairment.

Completed award term September 2009.

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