Transpersonal Caring and the Psychological Well-being of Older Adults By: Leigh Anne Koonmen, Gail Luskin, Lashonda Martin, and Karen Wiekierak

Introduction

● Over 20% of adults age 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder

● Mental health plays a large role in the elderly’s ability to maintain their physical health and well-being.

● In turn, poor physical health such as chronic diseases and disabilities can impact their mental health

Vulnerable Population

Older Adult = 65+ years

Older Adults Unprecedented Growth:- Longer life spans- Aging baby boomers (2011)Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014)

Vulnerable Population

Current Population: 36 Million

Will double to 72 million during the next 25 years.o 1 out of 5 Americans

By 2050: 89 million

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013)

Demographics

Racial and Ethnic Diversity - Dramatic Shift

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013)

Cultural Descriptors Impacting Health

High risk for developing chronic illnesses and related disabilities including:

o Diabetes mellituso Arthritiso Congestive heart failureo Strokeo Cancer

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014)

Cultural Descriptors Impacting Health

Genetics:Impacts 9 of the 10 leading causes of death including:

● Heart disease● Cancer● Stroke● Diabetes● Alzheimer’s disease

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014)

Psychological Health Risk Factors

● Illness● Social isolation● Ageism● Stress and coping with changes● Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) and Neglect● Financial exploitation● Self-neglect● Depression

Statistics r/t Population and Health Risk Factors

“Percentage of people aged 65 or older reporting clinically relevant symptoms of depression was 12% for men and 19% for women in 2006.”-Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2010

Literature Reviews

● Older Adults and Hearing Help-Seeking Behaviors - Saunders, Chisolm, and Wallhagen (2012)

● Identification of Environmental Supports for Healthy Eating in Older Adults - Sylvie, Jiang, and Cohen (2014)

● In the Best Interest of the (Adult) Child: Ideas About Kinship Care of Older Adults - Jennings, Perry, and Valeriani (2014)

Risk Assessment for the Elderly

● Nutrition● Exercise● Tobacco avoidance● Injury prevention● Immunizations● Stress and mental health issues● Oral and skin care● Sexuality

Jean Watson

● Moral ideal of nursing = caring● Holistic care of mind, body,

spirit, and nature ● Physical, psychological, and

psychosocial needs● Disease results from

incongruencies

Transpersonal Caring Theory

Major elements:A) 10 carative factorsB) The transpersonal caring relationshipC) The caring occasion/moment

10 Carative Factors

1.Humanistic-altruistic system of value2.Instill faith and hope; honor others3.Sensitivity to self and others4.Develop helping & trusting, human care relationship5.Promote & accept expression of positive and negative feelings6.Use creative problem-solving methods in the caring process7.Share transpersonal teaching-learning to address needs & comprehension styles8.Create a supportive, protective, &/or corrective mental, physical, societal, & spiritual environment9.Human needs assistance - physical, emotional, and spiritual 10.Be open to existential-phenomenological-spiritual forces & allow miracles to enter

Transpersonal Caring Relationship

● Higher level of caring● Goals:

o Protect, enhance, and preserve the patient’s dignity, humanity, wholeness, and inner harmony

o Be engaged and conscious of yourself and the patient

o Connect/establish a relationship to promote comfort, health, and healing

Caring Occasion/Moment

● Heart-centered encounters between nurse and patient

● Meaningful, authentic, and intentional interactions

● Sharing

Plan of Action and Implementation● Creating environments and living conditions supportive of

healthy lifestyles● Providing necessary resources to meet basic needs● Ensuring environment is beneficial to security and freedom

needs● Providing social support and health programs for both

elderly and caregivers● Educating on older adult violence and maltreatment

prevention● Creating community development programs● Having prompt recognition and treatment of ailments

Settings for Activity

● Home● Assisted living facilities● Community nutrition sites● Health and social programs within the

community● Church or other faith based meeting areas● Hospitals

Services Provided by Mecosta County

● Transportation● Homemaker Aide● Specialized Respite● Senior Meals Program● S.O.A.R.● Outreach & Assistance● Disaster Coordination● Senior Home

Maintenance Program Services

● Equipment Loan Closet● Medicare/Medicaid

Assistance Program ● Advocacy● Information & Referral● Living Wills & Durable

Power of Attorney for Health Care

● Newsletter● Resource Guide & List

Healthy People 202010-year nationwide health-promotion and disease-prevention goals

Healthy People 2020

Mission:● Identify health improvement

priorities ● Increase public awareness● Provide objectives & goals ● Engage other sectors● Identify research, evaluation,

& data collection needs

Healthy People 2020 & the ElderlyGoals:

1. Improve the health, function, & quality of life of older adults 2. Reduce the morbidity & costs associated with & maintain or enhance the quality of life for persons with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease3. Promote the health & well-being of people with disabilities4. Reduce the prevalence & severity of disorders of hearing and balance; smell and taste; and voice, speech, and language 5. Prevent illness & disability related to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, osteoporosis, & chronic back conditions. 6. Improve mental health through prevention & by ensuring access to appropriate, quality mental health services.

Conclusion

● Mental health is essential to overall health and well-being, especially in older adults

● It must be recognized and treated with the same urgency as physical health

ReferencesCenter for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). The state of aging and health in america. Retrieved from

[http://www.cdc.gov/features/agingandhealth/state_of_aging_and_health_in_america_2013.pdf]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. (2009). The state of mental

health and aging in america. Addressing depression in older adults: Selected evidence-based programs. Issue Brief 2. Atlanta, GA: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Retrieved from [http://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health_brief_2.pdf]

Children’s, Women’s, and Seniors Health Branch. (2004). Social isolation among seniors: An emerging issue. British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Health. Retreived from [https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2004/Social_Isolation_Among_Seniors.pdf]

Currey, R. (2008). Ageism in health care: Time for a change. Aging Well. 1(1). P. 16.

Jennings, T., Perry, T. E., & Valeriani, J. (2014). In the best interest of the (adult) child: Ideas about kinship care of older adults. Journal OfFamily Social Work, 17(1), 37-50. doi:10.1080/10522158.2013.865289

Maville, J. A., & Huerta, C. G. (2013). Health promotion in nursing (3rd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.

Mecosta County Michigan (2003). In-home support services. Retrieved from: http://www.co.mecosta.mi.us/services.asp

References continued

Saunders, G. H., Chisolm, T. H., & Wallhagen, M. I. (2012). Older adults and hearing help-seeking behaviors. American

Journal Of Audiology, 21(2), 331-337. doi:10.1044/1059-0889(2012/12-0028) Segerstrom, S. (2014). Affect and self-related health: A dynamic approach with older adults.Health Psychology. 33(7). P. 720-728.

Sylvie, A. K., Jiang, Q., & Cohen, N. (2013). Identification of environmental supports for healthy eating in older adults. JournalOf Nutrition In Gerontology & Geriatrics, 32(2), 161-174. doi:10.1080/21551197.2013.779621U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014). Retrieved from

[http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/default.aspx]Wagner, A.L. (2010). Core concepts of jean watson’s theory of human caring/caring science. Watson Caring Science Institute & international

caritas consortium. Retrieved from [http://watsoncaringscience.org/files/Cohort%206/watsons-theory-of-human-caring-core-concepts-and-

evolution-to-caritas-processes-handout.pdf]World Health Organization (2013). Mental health and older adults. Retrieved from [http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs381/en/]

World Health Organization. (2003). The social determinants of health: The solid facts. (2nd ed.). Retrieved from

[http://www.who.int/mental_health/mhgap/risks_to_mental_health_EN_27_08_12.pdf].