Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 4 M301-M306, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Implementation and effectiveness of a community-based health promotion program for older adults

JI Wallace, DM Buchner, L Grothaus, S Leveille, L Tyll, AZ LaCroix and EH Wagner
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, and Northwest Prevention Effectiveness Center, University of Washington, Seattle.

BACKGROUND: Because preventing functional decline in older adults is a national priority and senior centers have been identified as potentially important venues for health-promotion activities, a trial of a multicomponent disability prevention program was conducted at a senior center. METHODS: One hundred older adults were recruited for a 6-month randomized clinical trial. All members of the experimental group received an exercise intervention, nutrition counseling, and a home safety assessment. Smoking and alcohol interventions were delivered to at-risk subjects. Outcome variables included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) health survey, the CES-Depression scale, bed days,and restricted-activity days. RESULTS: A single study announcement resulted in a response sufficient to recruit 100 subjects. The exercise program was well received: 85% of intervention subjects completed the 6-month program and adherence was excellent, with over 90% attendance at exercise classess. After 6 months the intervention group had significantly better scores on 7 of 8 SF-36 subscales and fewer depressive symptoms than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Senior centers may be excellent sites for community-based health promotion interventions: participation and adherence may be acceptable, interventions can be designed that are feasible in this setting, and these interventions appear to affect health status positively. The study program improved physical and psychosocial functioning and is a promising modol for preventing functional decline through activities based at senior centers.

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