BC PsyChologist

1 The journal of the bc psychological associationVolume 3 i ssue 2 spring 2014 agingBC PsyChologistEDITOR IN CHIEFTed Altar, , R. EDITORM arian Scholtmeijer, Gambrel, , DIRECTOR Inkyung (Inky) KangExECUTIvE DIRECTORRick Gambrel, , DIRECTOREric ChuExECUTIvE AssIsTANT Rukshana Hassanali BOARD OF DIRECTORsPRESIDENTTed Altar, , R. Hutcheon, , R. Chotem, , R. Mandrusiak, , Cave, MSW, RSW, ,R. Psych., MA, AMP, Shuen (Sandra) Wong, , R. Ferguson, , R. sTATEmENTThe British Columbia Psychological Association provides leadership for the advancement and promotion of the profession and science of psychology in the service of our membership and the people of British DEADLINEsDecember 1 | March 1 | June 1 | September 1 P U B L I C AT I O N DAT EsJanuary 15 | April 15 | July 15 | October 15 ADvERTIsING RATEsMembers and affiliates enjoy discounted rates. For more information about print and web advertising options, please contact us at: CONTACT Us#402 1 177 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6H 1G3 | POLICYThe publication of any notice of events, or advertisement, is neither an endorsement of the advertiser, nor of the products or services advertised.

2 The BCPA is not responsible for any claim(s) made in an advertisement or advertisements mailed with this issue. Advertisers may not, without prior consent, incorporate in a subsequent advertisement, the fact that a product or service had been advertised in the BCPA publication. The acceptability of an advertisement for publication is based upon legal, social, professional, and ethical consideration. BCPA reserves the right to unilaterally reject, omit, or cancel advertising. To view our full advertising policy please visit: DIsCLAImERThe opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors, and they do not necessarily reflect the views of the BC PsyChologist or its editors, nor of the BC Psychological Association, its Board of Directors, or its Post Publications Mail #40882588 COPYRIGHT 2014 BC PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONBC PsyChologist468925contentsLetter from the PresidentLetter from the Executive DirectorBCPA NewsInvitation LetterPiece of Mind Exhibition Opening NightMeaning Therapy Workshop Registration FormFeaturesFactors Contributing to Healthy AgingDr.

3 Paul Pearce & Yuk Shuen (Sandra) Wong, , R. Chotem, , R. Aging in CanadaPaul T. P. Wong, , C. for EldersTed Altar, , R. in Organizations Four Principles to Keep in MindDonald Hutcheon, , C. Psychol (UK)., R. Spring 2014 Dear colleagues anD frienDs, Every February, as you may know, is Psychology Month. This was originally started by the Canadian Psychological Association in February of 2005 and BCPA has been involved every year. The purpose is to try to generate local or grassroots events and activities to help raise the awareness of our fellow British Columbians about our role as psychologists and the role of psychology itself in bettering the lives of all. All psychologists are encouraged to do what they can to help their communities understand the value and benefits of our work. We want ultimately to increase support for psychological services, psychological research, and psychological education and training.

4 This promotion is of course best achieved by us as psychologists , who know psychology and its historical development best, and can best explain its great contributions to knowledge and health, and its current benefits for all British Columbians. Some things that BCPA has done and which we can all help do as well in our own communities, include, organizing a Public Lecture/Seminar or Workshop or panel discussion, having an information Session or board at your clinic or office, showing a film, writing a newspaper or newsletter article, participating in a letter-writing campaign, asking your library to create a Psychology Display , and so on. On behalf of BCPA, Dr. Patrick Myers generously gave a free presentation about the two primary requirements of a successful long term relationship and two life skills required to navigate a couple s journey through life. Dr. Kenneth Cole also graciously presented a free lecture on February 12 at the Central Library in Vancouver on the Top 10 Strategies for Supporting Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

5 Finally, let us also thank Dr. Merv Gilbert for doing a workshop on February 20 on Creating a Psychologically Healthy Workplace: Strategies for Employees and Employers. As you may know, Dr. Gilbert also chairs the BCPA Healthy Workplace Committee. This series of free workshops for the public were promoted through the Vancouver Public Library and all of their branches. BCPA also sent out mail announcements to over two hundred sites (hospitals, clinics, schools, neighbourhood houses etc.). Of course, you may have also seen our regular e-blasts to members, but we also send e-blasts to various health associations, community groups and businesses (about 150). In addition, we have utilized event websites like Vancouver is Awesome and eventbrite . BCPA was also present on March 1 at the 2014 Diversity Health Fair. In former years we did ads in the movie theatres but this year we have a very tight budget and it was determined that we could not afford ads for this year.

6 We must, finally thank the many participants who attended, on February 28, the BCPA workshop by Dr. Joel Paris, The Intelligent Clinician s Guide to DSM-5 . I believe that this was the most well attended workshop that we have had in many years. Thank you again for your support. This issue of our Journal on older persons applies to us all, young included, since we must age. Projections by Statistics Canada (2006) teD altar, , r. President of the BC Psychological Association. Contact for the Board of Directors at from the PresidentBC PsyChologist 5referencesBrown, (2011). economic security in an aging Canadian population . SEDAP Research Program, McMaster U. Available online at: , (2001). Aging populations and the workforce: Challenges for employers. Final draft paper for the Working Group on Business and the Challenge of Aging in the Western World. British-North American Committee. Available online at: that by 2031 senior Canadians will comprise one quarter of the total population .

7 Unfortunately, there have been magnified projections about how the aging population will put undue pressure on our health care and social security systems. Some have proclaimed that the potential increase in costs will be unaffordable and that this pressure may amount to more than fifty percent of Canada s GDP (Robson 2001). With such claims of economic disaster, older adults are to be burdened with yet another worry for their golden years. Should none of us should retire until necessary due to failing health? Postponing retirement would be more viable for occupations that don't require physical strength and endurance, like occupations in the field of psychology. What the public does not often hear in this debate is that the projected dependency ratio of Canada of both youth and older persons will be no greater than it was in sixties and even in 1971, when the dependency ratio was 90 people dependent on government services to every 100 people of working age.

8 The future dependency ratio in 2056 will reach a peak of 85. Of course, the argument is that older persons will consume more social service and health care costs than children and youth. This does not apply to all persons over 65 and in fact those 75 and older will only grow from in 2001 to in 2015. Were we to even assume that persons over 65 consume half of health care costs, the increase would only be of expenditures as a percent of GPD. Given future economic growth at just a moderate level, Canada can easily afford the aging population without raising the age of retirement (Brown, 2011).Regardless of the arguments in the literature, hardly a week goes by without another article in the media about the pending health care cost crisis (see for example, The Globe and Mail, 2010). Normally, these commentaries are couched in a context of population particular, we know that population aging per se accounts for very little of the increase in health care costs in the recent past and it will not be the key driving force over the next three decades (Evans et al, 2001).

9 This myth that population aging is the key factor in rising health care costs is used by those who seek more funding for their part of the system. It is a convenient factor since the system has no control over it ( it is not our fault ). McIntyre et al. (2003) projected real growth in health care costs of per annum made up of for increased per capita consumption/service levels, for general population growth, and attributable to population aging. (Brown, 2011, p. 28) Whether or not you agree that we are headed for an economic problem, we can all agree that if Governments are serious about reducing health care costs, then Psychology will play a vital role in that endeavour. The real increased costs to health care will not be due to an aging population alone. In fact the greater proportion of costs are coming from the increased use of services by all age groups. We are seeing medical health professionals more frequently, undergoing more tests and procedures, and receiving more prescriptions.

10 What cannot be ignored is that it is relatively healthy adults of all ages that are driving up costs. The high costs of ever more sophisticated interventions and the more frequent use of prescription drugs has and will continue to drive up costs more than the increase in the dependency ratio of older persons. Psychological treatments for depression and many anxiety disorders can be more cost effective than medications. Health psychology reduces costs in terms of promoting drug-free methods of stress management and in developing motivational programs that work in helping people adopt healthier life style changes. Those psychologists with training in psychopharmacology and who have prescription rights have been shown to reduce reliance on medications since the right to prescribe is also the right to un-prescribe. The current incentive system for physicians is to prescribe, but psychologists with both capabilities of prescribing and treating through psychotherapy can better determine when psychotherapy is to be employed with or without psychotropic medications.