ABSTRACT
This chapter examines various issues which affect the health and well-being of the older population. The Advanced Trauma Life Support course by the American College of Surgeons highlighted the principles of trauma management and provides a structured sequence of assessment for healthcare providers. Globally, the median age-standardised rates of osteoporosis-related fractures vary geographically but with the highest rate observed in North America and Europe. Poor oral health has important implications for well-being regardless of age. Vision is another significant sensory decline that older people might experience with ageing. Overall cognitive development and function varies among people and appears to be associated with socio-economic status, years of education, lifestyles, underling chronic diseases and use of medication. Frailty is the progressive age-related decline in physiological state, which leads to lower reserve in intrinsic capacity and vulnerability to care dependence and comorbidity in older age. Initiatives for improving physical health should be placed in the wider social and environmental context, for example, housing.
