Effective Health Behavior in Older Adults (Springer Series on the Societal Impact on Aging)

Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park. Text examines the health behaviors of older adults and the ways in which these behaviors are affected by societal trends. Topics include psychosocial factors in prevention of cardiovascular disease, role of exercise, chronic illness, societal structures, and reimbursement patterns. Contents......Page 6 Contributors......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 1 Biosocial Considerations in Chronic Illness Perceptions and Decisions......Page 16 2 Linear and Dynamical Thinking about Psychosocial Factors and Cardiovascular Risk......Page 32 Commentary: Acute and Chronic Psychological Processes in Cardiovascular Disease......Page 70 3 A Cognitive-Affective Analysis of Cancer Behavior in the Elderly: Are You as Healthy as You Feel?......Page 80 Commentary: Beyond the Sociodemographics: From Prediction to Explanation of the Effects of Gender and Social Deprivation in Recovery from Myocardial Infarction......Page 120 4 Psychosocial Factors in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease......Page 132 5 Ethnicity and Psychosocial Factors in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention......Page 150 6 Getting Help to Those Most Likely to Benefit: Patient Characteristics and Treatment Success......Page 162 7 Exercise Interventions and Aging: Psychological and Physical Health Benefits in Older Adults......Page 172 Commentary: Challenges to Using Exercise Interventions in Older Adults......Page 194 8 How Provider Payment Policies Affect the Health-Care-Seeking Behavior of the Elderly......Page 206 Commentary: Third-Party Payors and the Patient-Professional Relationship......Page 244 Commentary: Factors Affecting Health-Care-Seeking Behavior of the Elderly......Page 250 9 The Potential for Health Care Organizations to Promote Maintenance and Change in Health Behaviors Among the Elderly......Page 260 Commentary: Health Maintenance Organizations for the Elderly Patient?......Page 294 Commentary: Health Care Organizational Structure, Prevention, and Health Behavior Among the Elderly......Page 302 Afterword: Health Behavior and the Elderly: How Do We Understand Its Determinants and Their Goals?......Page 316 A......Page 328 B......Page 329 C......Page 330 D......Page 331 E......Page 332 F......Page 333 G......Page 334 H......Page 335 J......Page 336 K......Page 337 L......Page 338 M......Page 339 P......Page 341 R......Page 342 S......Page 343 T......Page 345 W......Page 346 Z......Page 347 C......Page 348 H......Page 349 M......Page 351 W......Page 352

In what ways do health behaviors and societal mechanisms help or discourage individuals in assuming responsibility for their health? Highly-esteemed and diverse contributors examine the health behaviors of older adults and the ways in which these behaviors are affected by societal trends.

The volume begins with a discussion of the personal attributes affecting health behaviors and responsible health care choices in older adults. Additional topics explored include: Psychosocial factors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease; behavioral interventions such as the role of exercise in preventing chronic illness; and how societal structures such as reimbursement patterns and changes in health insurance affect initiation, change, and maintenance of health behaviors.

This is a valuable resource for professionals and students interested in individual development, the study of health behavior and chronic disease, health economics, and social policy.

Examines the health behaviors of older adults and how these behaviors are affected by societal trends. This volume covers personal attributes affecting health behaviors and health care choices. It is useful for professionals and students interested in the study of health behavior and chronic disease, health economics, and social policy. Recent changes in the U.S. health care system require individuals to take increasing responsibility for their own health, as well as to make healthier decisions that will lead to less reliance on professional intervention and care.