International Rural Aging Project

Invited Symposia

Primary Health Care in Rural Areas

Convener: Antonio Periquet
Former Secretary of Health, the Philippines

Date Thursday, June 8
Time 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Location Parlor B, Civic Center

Abstract
Medical progress and improved living conditions have swollen the ranks of people aged 65 and over. Accompanying this phenomenon is a rise in the incidence of chronic diseases and disabilities to which the elderly are more vulnerable than any other age groups. Bringing health services to the elderly, particularly those who live in the rural and remote areas, involves an enormous range and complexity of challenges. The symposium intends to take up the following areas of concern: policy-making, aged care assessment, service delivery, human resource development and global cooperation.

The symposium will begin with a presentation of the particular relevance of primary health care as an approach to bringing health services to the rural elderly. This will be followed by a presentation of the need to formulate policy initiatives and programs for improving the delivery of health services. Speakers from countries of various regions in the world will share the experiences they encountered in introducing innovations in their health care delivery systems within the framework of primary health. Emphasis will be given to the preventive, curative and rehabilitative concepts, systems and strategies that have evolved in the process. Since the incidence of disability is high among senior citizens, special attention will be given to the rehabilitation of elderly disabled persons. The talks will include the need for a reorientation in human resource development not only in response to the evolving health needs brought about by the ongoing demographic change but also to the clamor for greater accessibility to health services. The symposium will deal with the importance of promoting technical cooperation among countries with programs for transfer of knowledge, sharing of experience, exchange of ideas and comparisons of systems.

The Evolving Health Situation and the Continuing Relevance of Primary Health Care for Rural Aging
Antonio Periquet

Community-Based Rehabilitation of the Elderly in Rural Parts of Slovenia
Helena Burger, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Homebound Rural Seniors in Pennsylvania Home Care Service
Joytsna (Josi) M. Kalavar, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, US

Users of Aged Care Assessment Services in Rural Australia
Chris Benson, Australia

A Model of Health Care of the Rural Aged in South India
A. Venkoba Rao, India

Situation and Challenge of Primary Health Care for Rural Aging in China
Lei Zhenglong, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China

Continuing Education Credit
WV Social Work: 1.5 hrs
1.5 AMA Category 1 CME