Training to provide for healthy rural aging.
More than 60 percent of the worlds aged population is in developing countries, the majority living in rural and remote areas. Resources in these areas are scarce and there is a lack of services and programs, especially in the areas of health, housing and social welfare. The most serious deficiency faced by many countries in meeting the challenges of population aging is the pronounced scarcity of trained caregivers. Little attention has been given to developing effective training policies and programs. Most of the people providing a service to older people lack basic training and this is more so in rural and remote areas. The processes for extending healthy aging and postponing the onset of chronic diseases and disabling conditions exist already. Unfortunately, these processes are not disseminated in appropriate ways. It is therefore imperative to disseminate this information by training people at the grass roots level to reach the most vulnerable and isolated older people. Primary care workers should have the necessary skills, knowledge and techniques to facilitate good care of older people in their environment. This article reviews and analyzes attempts being made by a number of countries to meet this need. Though the basic issues dealt with are often the same, the approach used differs.
Troisi
J
J
Institute of Gerontology, University of Malta.
D000368:Aged; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D011157:Population Dynamics; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce