GERENTOLOGICAL THEORIES 1. Aged Care Theories applicable to Gerontology organisations 1.2. Social Cognitive Theory 1.3. The Flow Model 1.4. Scheins Management Theory Sometimes, it is easier to think of the framework with a picture. Think about your organisation and the surface level visual aspects people experience when they walk through the door. The tangible, touchable things in the office space. The way it looks and feels. What artifacts are in your organisation? Then think of the espoused values, the attitudes, and the goals. Then think of the area that is often hidden. How members behave, think, feel, and perceive things. How do these things influence the organisations culture? Now, I want you to think about this carefully. How do you think all of these areas influence the care provided to older people where you work? What are some of the hidden, taken for granted thoughts shared by employees, of older people? Are they positive? Are they negative? How do these thoughts, perceptions and beliefs affect the care of the older people your organisation provides care for? For a little more reading and the application of Scheins work in the aged care sector, read Shaping the use of psychotropic medicines in nursing homes: A qualitative study on organisational culture (Sawan, Jeon & Chen, 2018). 1.5. Gerontological theories In this section we are going to discuss gerontological theories. Many of the theories are quite dated, as many theories are. We will cover just three theories, however do feel free to explore more theories and consider which you feel are relevant to your practice. Firstly, read the article by Hasworth and Cannon (2015). Social theories of aging: A review. Disease-a-month, 61(11), 475-479. What do you think of the statement Most peoples perceptions of aging are influenced by both personal experience and societal views that can result in stereotypes that contribute to ageism? This is an interesting concept because the way we learn and interpret information is to consider it in our own context. How dangerous is it, therefore, to use our own biases and our preconceived ideas of ageing, when we plan models of care? How can we challenge our biases in order to develop effective, person-centred models? Next, read the article by Carducci (2020) Erik H Erikson. Erikson was well known for his theory of the eight stages of personality development. GERENTOLOGICAL MODELS 1. Healthy ageing concepts, models, and practice 1.1. Types of health models Before introducing healthy ageing theories, we will first examine health models that underpin them. Whilst there are numerous health models we will briefly present two parallel levels of models the biomedical / medical model and the holistic / bio-psycho-social models, and then look at a couple of models in more depth. Biomedical and Medical Model of Health Biomedical models of health were dominant between mid-19th to mid-20th century. Health is conceptualised as an absence of disease and illness and weighted against those who are low and high functioning. Focus is on the treatment of physical illness only, rather than prevention, and does not consider other contributing factors such as social, cultural or psycholo
gical factors. Within the biomedical model an illness is viewed as arising from an abnormality within the body, and individuals are viewed as passive victims. The model explains causes, pathophysiology, and course of illness. It is a model of care that is practised by health professionals with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of disease. Advantages to the biomedical model are: The advancement of technology and research into diagnosing and treating disease. The effective treatment of many diseases that otherwise would have caused death or severe loss of functioning. The extension of life expectancy. Improvement of quality of life when a person is cured. Disadvantages: Costly waits for illness to occur thus relies on health workers and technology to cure illness. Narrow view of health not focused on the prevention of ill-health or promotion of good health. Not all conditions are treatable. Bio-psycho-social models of health A bio-psycho-social model is a broader view of health that attributes illness and disease to a complex and multifaceted interaction of biological (e.g. genetic and biochemical factors), psychological (e.g. personality, behaviours, and resources), and social factors (e.g. culture, environment, and family). There are many models that fall under this banner. Holistic models of health The medical model has been criticised for its limited capacity to explain the intricacies of health. In response to this criticism, the holistic model was proposed, broadening the definition of health to include well-being. The model acknowledges external and internal factors that influence health, and, more importantly, how these may interact to influence the individuals perceptions of health, such as mental health, psychological factors, and social and environmental contexts. This allowed the emphasis of health to change from treatment to prevention, empowering individuals to understand the importance of their behaviours and lifestyle choices on their own health outcomes. Watch the following YouTube clip from Berglund (2013) The Medical Model versus Holistic Medicine (Common sense medicine). Jot down some of the distinctions made by the presenter between the holistic and biomedical models of health. Now watch the clip from Wakelin (2017) on the Wellness Continuum. What are the significant differences between the models we have discussed so far? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each model? In the next sections, we will look at specific models that relate to our work in Gerontology. While you progress through the module, consider how these models and frameworks would work in your workplace with the people you provide care to. 1.4. Health Belief Model 1.5. Trauma Informed Care 1.6. Ngarlu Model of Health Ngarlu is described as a cultural and spiritual strengthening model conceptualised by Joseph Roe in 2000 who was a Karajarri/Yawru man from the Broome area In Western Australia. It was created as a culturally appropriate way of working with Aboriginal people to meet their well-being needs and is applied in both policy and practice in Australia Read more on this model of health from Casey (2000). Strong spirit strong mind informing policy and practice.