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Abstract
In March 2001, the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People set out standards for the care and treatment of the over 60s in England. In Wales, a strategy for older people is expected in 2002. The eight standards of the NSF for Older People include strategies to reduce falls, strokes and poor mental health among older people as well as improving general and intermediate care. The final standard `Promoting health and active life in older age' is an overarching theme. As well as strategies to promote health in older people, the NSF requires service providers
to develop long-term strategies to promote health throughout life in order to prevent chronic illness. This should include the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. In promoting positive role models, the NSF
for Older People is reflecting social trends in tackling ambivalence about ageing. Key themes of the standard include empowerment and improving quality of life for older people. Patient-centred care and the appointment of older people's champions are possible routes towards this aim.
Although there is evidence of some patient-focused models of health promotion, a review of the literature suggests that these are limited.
In the UK, the population is an ageing one and with life expectancy ever increasing, health promotion has emerged as a complex issue for healthcare providers (ViveraisDresler et al, 1995). Promoting the health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people, many of whom have the experience of living with chronic illness, presents many challenges.
There is a distinction between promoting healthy ageing throughout life and health promotion for those already in the `older age' category, i.e. aged 60 years and above. At the same time as providing innovative services for older people that will promote health and wellbeing, a major obligation for service providers lies in targeting the under 60s in order to prevent future ill health (Shellman, 2000).
In March 2001, the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People set out eight standards for the care and treatment of older people in England (Table 1) (Department of Health (DoH), 2001a). These included strategies to reduce falls, stroke and poor mental health among older people as well as improving general hospital and intermediate care (Trevett, 2001). As the needs of older...