Professional paper

Program of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention for the elderly

SPOMENKA TOMEK-ROKSANDIĆ ; Reference Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for health care of the elderly, Dr Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 10, 10000 Zagreb
NADA TOMASOVIĆ MRČELA ; Reference Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for health care of the elderly, Dr Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 10, 10000 Zagreb
NINA SMOLEJ NARANČIĆ ; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
ZVONIMIR ŠOSTAR ; Reference Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for health care of the elderly, Dr Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 10, 10000 Zagreb
MARICA LUKIĆ ; Reference Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for health care of the elderly, Dr Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
ZIJAD DURAKOVIĆ ; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
MATE LJUBIČIĆ ; Institute for Public Health of the Republic of Croatia, Rockefeller's Street 7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
VLASTA VUČEVAC ; Reference Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia for health care of the elderly, Dr Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The aging process is normal physiological phenomenon.The elderly are a heterogeneous group that requires individual gerontological approach. The basis for the implementation of the programof healthy aging represent their own decisions about positive health behaviors,that are made at a younger age and interact with an effective health programs of preventive health measures. As part of evaluation of the implementation of the preventive program for is important to define negative health behaviour of the elderly and determine the risk factors of pathological ageing. Primary prevention ensures not only prevention of death in early old age but also preservation of functional ability through health promotion in old age. The implementation
of secondary prevention in health care of the elderly people results in
timely diagnosis of disease which can stop its further development and help in its treatment, nursing care and rehabilitation. Tertiary prevention includes different health procedures that prevent physical andmental decline in a diseased old individual and develops the remaining functional capacity. The Program ofHealth careMeasures of Prevention for the Elderly is primarily carried out through active primary health care institutions within local, regional and national gerontological centres of the Institute of Public Health. Implementation of preventive programs for the elderly can avert the development of a number of preventable diseases as are diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, lungs, osteoporosis/fractures, incontinence,
mental disorders, respiratory diseases. In Croatia, the program
promotes a healthy active aging, consisting of the “Guide for active healthy aging”.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

116442

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/116442

Publication date:

31.12.2013.

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