Complementary and alternative medicine use among elderly persons: One-yearanalysis of a Blue Shield Medicare supplement

Background. Large scale surveys in the United States and abroad suggest tha t 35-60% of adults have used some form of complementary/alternative medicin e (CAM). However, no studies to date have focused on predictors and pattern s of CAM use among elderly persons. Methods. The population surveyed were Californians enrolled in a Medicare r isk product that offers coverage for acupuncture and chiropractic care. Sur veys were mailed to 1597 members in 1997 and responses received by 728 (51% response rate). Health risk assessment data were also obtained at baseline and 12-15 months following enrollment in the plan. Multiple logistic regre ssion analyses were carried out to examine predictors of CAM use. Results. Forty-one percent of seniors reported use of CAM. Herbs (24%), chi ropractic (20%), massage (15%), and acupuncture (14%) were the most frequen tly cited therapies. CAM users tended to be younger, more educated, report either arthritis and/or depression/anxiety, not be hypertensive, engage in exercise, practice meditation, and make more frequent physician visits. Use of CAM was not associated with any observed changes in health status. Resp ondents also expressed considerable interest in receiving third-party cover age for CAM. Although 80% reported that they had received substantial benef it From their use of CAM, the majority (58%) did not discuss the use of the se therapies with their medical doctor. Conclusions. Findings suggest that there is significant interest in and use of complementary/alternative medicine among elderly persons. These results suggest the importance of further research into the use and potential effi cacy of these therapies within the senior population.