Session 1

In this session, we were introduced to several health conditions faced by the elderly. First, we considered a few indicators of health.

1. The average life expectancy, in which is predicted to be 77 years old, a relatively old age in 2050.
2. Infant mortality rate and child mortality rate
3. Daily calorie intake
4. Access to clean water for sanitisation and drinking
5. Access to healthcare and services and quality of healthcare provision in the population

However, BMI is not an indicator of health, although many mistaken it for, because BMI is restricted to measuring whether the height and weight is normal, but it does not take care of other important health factors such as blood pressure or blood sugar. Hence, these blind spots made it not eligible for an indicator of health.

In Singapore’s context, 8.7% are obese and 36.2% are overweight. Only 8 out of 10 people is physically active and binge drinking had risen from 2.2% in 2001 till 9.0% in 2017. These shocking statistics had encouraged the government to implement cardiovascular risk screening and it was discovered that a scary number of 8.6% s diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Hence, the 3 main causes of death in Singapore are:

1. Cancer 30%
2. Pneumonia 20%
3. Heart disease 16%

Next, were told to explore the health concept in 2 interacting dimensions: presence of diseases and general well-being. First in terms of diseases, in a span of 5 years from 2015 to 2020, aged adults will increase from 12% to 22%. Another shocking fact is that by 2050, there will be 2.1 billion people from 900 million above 60 years worldwide. What are some of the risk factors of ageing adults?

1. Reduced mobility
2. Chronic pain
3. Bereavement
4. Drop of social economic status alongside retirement
5. Mental health affecting physical health and vice versa
6. Unfortunately, 1 in 6 elderly experience abuse

In the second part of the lesson, we were introduced to specific types of health conditions that is prevalent in the elderly. Dementia:

Dementia

This condition is on an increasing spree, being exceptionally common amongst the elderly. It causes deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and disrupt the ability to perform everyday activities. It’s increasing numbers result it to become a public health challenge.

Depression

This condition is not only present in the elderly, but instead amongst all age groups. The symptoms might not be too significant and people might mistake it for being overly emotional or sensitive, hence this condition is always overlooked. Another reason i because they occur with other problems encountered by the old, such as loneliness and difficulty in communication.

Common Pains

• Joint pain inflammation and stiffness
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Nerve pain
• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Degenerating disc disease
• Soft materials in disc press against spinal cord and nerves
• Sharp pain in the head or chest area
• Bone spurs
• Calcified growth that occur in the spine, neck, shoulder
• Frozen shoulder
• Connective tissues in the shoulder join thicken and tighten
• Prolonged pain from surgery

Bipolar

This condition is less common but still an area of concern. It causes severe mood swing between mania and dysphoria.

Anxiety Disorder

Though more common in schooling teenagers or working adults, certain environmental factors can also cause this condition in the elderly. People diagnosed with anxiety disorder becomes excessively distressed and blown out of order. This condition hence interferes with daily activities.

Strategies

Apart from understanding some of the common health conditions faced by the elderly, we were also informed about certain strategies that can reduce the effects caused by these conditions. There are no medications for these conditions, however early diagnosis allows optimal management, which might help the elderly live more comfortably. Hence, we should actively detect and manage challenging behaviours to promise active and healthy ageing.

Dementia-friendly Singapore

By 2030, the amount of dementia patients will double. Dementia patients require intense attention and care from his or her caregiver as he or she is unable to act and think like an adult. In response to this situation, we should raise more awareness, organise more talks, so that more people know about this condition and understand how to tackle it. Some initiatives were already performed in Singapore, such as an increasing capacity of long term care service and the dementia-friendly campaign held in Yishun, striving to achieve a dementia-friendly community. Currently, there are 3 dementia-friendly communities in Singapore in Yishun, Hong Kahn and MacPherson. These initiatives rally everyone and foster acceptance, bringing about the idea that neither us nor the elderly wish to see or being institutionalised just because they suffer from dementia, a condition out of their control.

Common Pains

Untreated aches can become chronic and disrupt its patients everyday activities. These aches cannot be entirely cured but certain treatments can be applied to lessen the symptoms. Some of the common strategies taken against common pain is undergoing physiotherapy, consuming muscle relaxants, prescribing medication and performing surgery.

Depression and Anxiety Disorder

Depression, as a psychological condition, requires a long time and lots of care to be healed completely. However, medication wise, it is proven that consuming omega 3 can improve the symptoms. For anxiety, similarly to the former, is a psychological condition that cannot be treated solely by medication or dietary therapy, however, relaxation techniques and setting aside time just to chill down can help manage anxiety. In the next session, we will learn more about aromatherapy, music therapy and diet therapy that can effectively treat these conditions.

Learning about these common conditions definitely encouraged us to look more all-roundedly at the situation, hence encouraging us to create a more suitable and feasible prototype for the elderly.

Session 2

As part of the health module, we experienced a total of 3 types of therapy that are widely used in the medical and psychological field: Aromatherapy, music therapy and diet therapy.

Aromatherapy

This therapy uses aromatic materials, including essential oils extracted from flora and fauna, with claims for improving the psychological and physical well-being. It is offered as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medication.

There are three different modes of application: aerial diffusion, direct inhalation and topical applications. The first is used by environmental fragrancing or aerial disinfection; the second is used by applying the oils directly onto the skin or inhaling it directly after mixed with water; the third is used by complementing general massage, baths and compresses with the aromatic materials.

Common types of aromatherapy are lavender, which aids sleep; citronella, which energises; mint, which cools and calm; and tea tree oil, which is antimicrobial, antiseptic and contains disinfectant qualities. We got the chance to try out a few of these and the results were genuinely effective.

Music Therapy

While experiencing the music therapy, we were introduced to a total of 6 extracts. Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and an outlet for expression of feelings.

The 6 pieces that were introduced to us has significant traits and helped in different aspects. Extract 1 was peaceful and calming, in which we think can aid sleep. Extract 2 sounded grand and royal, in which we suggest could be used as a studying or working music. Extract 3 was more lively and happy, providing confidence to its audience. Extract 4 was calming and fresh, hence we think it can be used as a sleeping music or an alarm. Extract 5 was modern and inspiring, we think it should serve aptly as a work out music. Last but not least, extract 6 was mournful and sad. We suggest that this music can be listened to when someone is down and wants to cry his or her heart out. Music can affect our emotions greatly and we felt it significant effect when our feelings experiences ups and downs while listening to these 6 pieces of music therapy.

Diet Therapy

In this station, we were first required to read a few articles or inspect images on the nutritional value of milk. After which we played a Kahoot game to test our knowledge.

Diet therapy is the branch of dietetics concerned with the use of foods for therapeutic purpose. It is method of eating prescribed by a physician to improve health. Diet therapy usually involves the modification of an existing dietary lifestyle to promote optimum health.

From this station, we understood the different dietary needs of different age groups, such as toddlers or the elderly. As toddlers are growing, they would require more protein and since they exercise more and has rapid metabolism, a higher amount of carbohydrate is required. On the other hand, to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, the elderly are recommended to take in more calcium and iron, whereas large amount of carbohydrate is not advised. The dietary needs is a large aspect of concern and the session provided a deeper insight into the needs of different groups of people.

Conclusion

The health module was informative and enjoyable, allowing us to understand more about the different types of therapy and treatment used to treat patients with severe but common problems such as depression and anxiety. It also provides a new perspective and an area of thought when we are creating our prototype.