Preventive Interventions: Overview

Abstract

Prevention in old age is most appropriately defined by referring to prevention of impairments, activity limitations, and inability to participate in social activities. Thus, primary prevention strives to prevent activity limitation and non-participation (e.g., guidance on possibilities of refitting the home to prevent falls). Secondary prevention focuses on discovering early signs of activity limitations and taking urgent and relevant steps to prevent the disablement process from spiraling or to restore daily activities (e.g., encouragement of exercise to prevent pains related to osteoarthritis in knees and hips). Tertiary prevention aims to avoid further decline in cases where impairment, activity limitations, and nonparticipation are irreversible (e.g., information on well-functioning transport schemes for disabled people to enjoy interpersonal and other social relations).