Public health, prevention and the aged.

In 1966 the Special Committee of the Senate on Aging emphasized the role of health departments in the prevention of illness in the aged. The committee also stressed the need for geriatric assessment and rehabilitation services with regular monitoring of the older person's status. The potential of primary prevention programs for the aged is illustrated by recent studies which cite the positive benefits of changes in lifestyle. Recently, a large urban health department developed a set of Older Adult Lifestyle Kits which are being used by Public Health Nurses in health education programs with groups of older persons. Another program in the same health department addresses the supports needed by the frail elderly, usually over 75 years of age, who are at risk of institutionalization. Both programs are described. As older people become more numerous, public health will continue to be challenged regarding strategies to meet their complex needs. En 1966, le Comite Special du Senat sur la vieillesse soulignait le role des services de la sante concernant la prevention des maladies chez la pesonne âgees. Le Comite a egalement insiste sur la necessite d'une evaluation geriatrique et sur les services de reeducation, avec une surveillance particuliere axee sur la condition des sujets plus âges. De recentes etudes sur l'efficacite des programmes de prevention primaire chez la personne âgee, ont demontre les bienfaits positifs des changements dans les occupations quotidiennes. Recemment, le service de sante d'un grand centre urbain mettait a la disposition de la sante publique, du materiel didactique visant a promouvois les programmes provenant du meme department de sante, veut en outre venir en aide aux vieillards de sante fragile, âges de 75 ans et plus et susceptibles d'etres places en institution. Les deux programmes traitant du sujet sont decrits. Puisque le nombre de personnes âgees augmente continuellement, le service de la sante plublique devra demeurer vigilant quant a la stat egie pour repondre a leurs besoins complexes.