Regulación de la secreción de citoquinas

As informal family and social connections are most important to well-being, communities need to provide opportunities for meaningful connections with family, friends and neighbors. It is important

to have access to a range of cultural, social, and

religious activities in addition to the more formal and organized civic engagement activities. Regardless of living arrangement, opportunities for social and civic engagement are critical to enhance the well-being of all community members.

References

Adams, K. B., Leibbrandt, S., & Moon, H. (2011). A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life.

Ageing and Society, 31, 683-712. doi: 10.1017/ S0144686X10001091

Agahi, N. & Parker, G. (2008). Leisure activities and

mortality: Does gender matter? Journal of Aging and

Health, 20(7), 855-871.

Austin, C., McClelland, R., Perrault, E., & Sieppert, J. (2009). The Elder-Friendly Communities program. Generations, 33(2), 87-90.

Batista, L.C., & Cruz-Ledon, A. M. (2008). The relationship between civic engagement and health among older adults. In M.S. Plakhotnick and S.M. Nielsen (Eds.), Proceedings of the Seventh Annual College of Education Research Conference: Urban and International Education Sections (pp. 8 – 12). Miami, Florida: International University.

Cornwell, E. Y., & Waite, L. J. (2009). Social

disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and health

among older adults. Journal of Health and Social

Behavior, 50(1), 31-48.

Everard, K. M., Lach, H. W., Fisher, E. B., & Baum, M. C. (2000). Relationship of activity and social support

to the functional health of older adults. Journal of

Gerontology Social Sciences, 55B(4), S208-S212. doi:10.1093/geronb/55.4.S208

Fraser, G. (2007). N.H. Legislature doesn’t mirror

population. The Eagle Tribune.

Social and Civic Engagement Options Are Plentiful

Generations United. (2012). America’s best intergenerational communities: Building livable communities for children, youth, families, and older adults. Retrieved from Generations United, and the

MetLife Foundation: http://www.aarp.org/content/

dam/aarp/livable-communities/learn/civic/americas- best-intergenerational-communities-aarp.pdf

Glass, T. A., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Bassuk, S. S.,

& Berkman, L. F. (2006). Social engagement and

depressive symptoms in late life: Longitudinal

findings. Journal of Aging and Health, 18(4), 604-628.

Kochera, A., Straight, A., & Guterbock, T. (2005). Beyond 50.05: A report to the nation on livable communities. Washington, DC: AARP.

Longino, C. F., & Kart, C. S. (1982). Explicating activity

theory: A formal replication. Journal of Gerontology,

37(6), 713-722.

Lum, T.Y. & Lightfoot, E. (2005). The effects of volunteering on the physical and mental health of

older people. Research on Aging, 27(1): 31-55. Morrow-Howell, N., Hinterlong, J., Rozario, P. A., & Tang, F. (2003). Effects of volunteering on the well-

being of older adults. The Journals Of Gerontology:

Series B: Psychological Sciences And Social Sciences,

58B(3), S137-S145. doi:10.1093/geronb/58.3.S137 National and Community Service (NCOC). (2014).

Retrieved from: http://www.volunteeringinamerica.

gov/

Oxford Economics. (2013). The Longevity Economy: Generating economic growth and new opportunities

for business. Retrieved from: http://www.aarp.org/

livable-communities/livable-in-action/info-2014/the- longevity-economy.html

Oxford Economics. (2014). Info-graphic of New Hampshire’s Longevity Economy. Retrieved from:

http://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/livable-in- action/info-2014/the-longevity-economy.html

State of New Hampshire. (2012). Retrieved from:

https://www.nh.gov/nhinfo/stgovt.html

United Valley Interfaith Project (UVIP). (2014). Our

issues campaign. Retrieved from: http://www.

unitedvalleyinterfaith.com/campaigns/#new-page-1

Website Links

(20) Senior Centers: http://www.

seniorcenterdirectory.com/new-hampshire/

(21) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI): http://

olli.granite.edu/

(22) New Hampshire Masters Games: http://

nhmastersgames.org/

(23) National Service (Senior Corps): http://www.

nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or injury (WHO, n.d.).” Good health and wellness is critical for older adults to remain independent, remain in the community, and continue to participate in activities that give meaning and pleasure to life (Felderman & Oberlink, 2003). The current approach to health care is carried out in siloes, including payment, regulatory, provider, and service delivery systems. The lack of integration across the health system is compounded by the dearth of knowledge and attention to the social determinants of health. As New Hampshire moves forward in addressing elder health, an integrated approach to assuring physical and mental well-being is essential to success.

The WHO has identified access to affordable community and health services as a critical

component in creating age-friendly communities. They note that a range of preventive acute and long term care services need to be readily accessible in locations convenient for older adults in order to meet their diverse health care needs. The NH Elder Health Advisory Committee also identified access to preventive, medical, mental health, and palliative care; and planning for end of life care as important components of an elder friendly community. As physical access to necessary health care services is not always practical, such as in rural parts of the state, other mechanisms to facilitate access to care are important. These mechanisms can include the utilization of Community Health Workers (CHWs), physician home visits and the use of technology to bring clinical services into the home. Additionally,

QUALITY PHYSICAL AND

MENTAL WELL-BEING SUPPORTS