Lesson 6: Healthy Aging


Attention

Being physically healthy is a big part of healthy aging, but it is not the only part...nor is it always a necessary part!


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify factors that are associated with successful aging
  • Identify potential barriers to successful aging that individuals with mental illness may experience

Teaching

Reach Chapter 7 in Vaillant

Healthy aging involves the development of healthy social, emotional, and physical health.

Psychosocial Health

Psychosocial health contrasts the Happy-Well person with the Sad-Sick person. One has to consider, however, that there are many ways in which a person can be "sick". This is psychosocial sickness...

  • attitudes
  • depression
  • motivation
  • emotions
  • friends
  • etc.

These are the things that can become sick...even if the body is "well" or "sick" will illness, disease, or simply getting worn out.

Consider the six dimensions that Vaillant uses to differentiate between the Happy-Well and the Sad-Sick person:

  • Absence of objective physical disability
  • Subjective physical health
  • Length of undisabled life
  • Objective mental health
  • Objective social supports
  • Subjective life satisfaction

Now, consider the life of a person who has mental illness...which of these areas may be challenging to encounter in order to help bring about "healthy aging" in this population?


Assessment

Lesson 6 Discussion

At the end of this lesson I pose a question about these 6 dimensions that are important to successful aging. Discuss what challenges persons with mental illness face to obtain healthy aging. What do you think a mental health worker could do to help the person?