THE CALIFORNIA PREVENTIVE HEALTH-CARE FOR THE AGING PROGRAM - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE YOUNGER OLD AND THE OLDEST-OLD

Persons 85 years and older are the most rapidly growing segment of the aged population. Their use of health services is exceptionally large and preventive measures to decrease medical costs as well as improve q uality of life in old age have been suggested. The present study used data from California Preventive Health Care for the Aging Program to e xamine age differences in health promotional activities which included assessment, referral and health counselling practices of the nurses. Surprisingly, many of the oldest old were as free of chronic health co nditions as younger elderly program participants. Further, the study a lso observed a general practice bias against referring oldest-old part icipants for additional health evaluation and treatment. Practice and research implications are discussed.