Multi-Approach Lifestyle Multi-Approach Lifestyle Modifications for an Aging Modifications for an Aging PopulationPopulationDorris Ottens

University of Georgia

Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, 2012

Level of Evidence: 1CLevel of Evidence: 1C

New Aging Issues:New Aging Issues:Increasing life expectancy

◦United States (yrs): 1950 – 68 1970 – 71 1990 – 75 2007 – 78 2012 – 79 (women, 82)

Increasing disability burden

Influence on Society:Influence on Society:Increased cost of careChanging provision of

careChanging quality of life

What Causes this Burden?What Causes this Burden?Better chronic disease survivalIncreased:

◦Morbidity◦Adult Obesity◦Patterns of Disuse and

DeconditioningDecreased socioeconomic

circumstances

What Can Healthcare What Can Healthcare Providers Encourage to Providers Encourage to Maximize the Potential of Maximize the Potential of Elderly Patients?Elderly Patients?

Encourage Physical Activity and Social Engagement!

Physical ActivityPhysical ActivityPrevents and reduces chronic

disease, obesity, and disuseDept. of Health & Human Services

Guidelines:◦ Increase from sedentary to low activity:

increases function, decreases hospitalization, protects against chronic disease

◦ Regular activity decreases dementia rates and delays cognitive decline

◦ Move more, sit less◦ It’s never too late to enhance function and

increase quality of life through physical activity

Multi-faceted Approach for Multi-faceted Approach for an Active Lifestylean Active Lifestyle

WalkingStrength training – weightsSocial/civic activities – dancing Leisure – golf, swimming, cookingBicycling (transportation)

Health, function, and physical activity = Bi-directional

Clinical AdviceClinical AdviceGive patients specific programs and

methods to increase physical activity:◦Ex – Silver Sneaker’s fitness program

for Medicare patients

Technology-based health promotion ◦ Automated phone counseling◦Funded from the 2009 American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Social EngagementSocial Engagement

Promotes functional healthCommunity service“Serve America Act”Volunteering: enhances

cognitive function and social activity◦Tutoring students

Direction of Health Direction of Health PromotionPromotionNational health reform legislation

◦Patient-centered community health teams for persons with chronic conditions

◦National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council 2011 Prevention Status Report Each department is responsible for its

own specific program/initiative

Goal = reduce cost, improve QOL

ReferencesReferences Guralnik, JM; King, AC. Maximizing the Potential

of an Aging Population. JAMA. 2010 Nov; 304(17): 1944-45.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lifexpec.htm; CDC website, accessed January 27, 2012.

http://www.data360.org/dsg.aspx?Data_Set_Group_Id=195; Data 360 website, accessed January 27, 2012.

http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc; National Prevention Strategy, accessed January 27, 2012.