Complementary medicine and older people: past research and future directions.
Due to the natural aging processes, older people are particularly susceptible to a range of chronic health conditions. However, despite that research has indicated that chronic health conditions and disability act as reliable predictors of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use, despite research evidence that older people are significant consumers of CAM, and regardless of the potential for CAM to enhance successful aging, reduce frailty, and increase independence and quality of life in older persons, older people's use of CAM therapies remains under-researched. This paper reviews what existing research literature is there on CAM use in older age; considers rates of and potential for use, features of and barriers to use, and economic, effectiveness and safety issues. From these beginnings, outlined is a wide-ranging research agenda on CAM and older people.
Willison
Kevin D
KD
Institute for Human Development, Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, 222 College Street, Suite 106, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 3J1. kevinwillison2003@yahoo.ca
Andrews
Gavin J
GJ
D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design