IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS

Background. Because preventing functional decline in older adults is a national priority and senior centers have been identified as potentia lly important venues for health-promotion activities, a trial of a mul ticomponent disability prevention program was conducted at a senior ce nter. Methods. One hundred older adults were recruited for a 6-month r andomized clinical trial. All members of the experimental group receiv ed an exercise intervention, nutrition counseling, and a home safety a ssessment. 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 r estricted-activity days. Results. A single study announcement resulted in a response sufficient to recruit 100 subjects. The exercise progra m was well received: 85% of intervention subjects completed the 6-mont h program and adherence was excellent, with over 90% attendance at exe rcise classes. 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 adh erence rates may be acceptable, interventions can be designed that are feasible in this setting, and these interventions appear to affect he alth status positively. The study program improved physical and psycho social functioning and is a promising model for preventing functional decline through activities based at senior centers.