[Evaluation of the state intervention project to improve quality of life and reduce the complications associated with aging: "Add health to your years"].
OBJECTIVE
This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a Public Health program for the elderly based on health promotion and pathologies prevention, in order to avoid complications associated with illnesses and improves the quality of life (QOL) in elderly adults (EA).


METHODS
A 12 month intervention studies used 700 EA randomized in 2 groups: intervention and control. Each group was submitted to pre-post intervention measurements that included weight, height, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, lipids, glycaemia, cardiovascular (infarct, stroke) and bone fractures events, hospitalization, and a QOL survey. Intervention consisted of periodic physical activity to fortify muscular groups, as well as recreational activities, nutritional and food manipulation training visits. A medical student was assigned to each participant from the intervention group to assure periodical contact and to share activities. The control group continued with their normal activities during observational period.


RESULTS
The intervention group showed a significant reduction in the BP, lipids and cholesterol values compared to control group. Reduction on cardiovascular events (-31%), hip fractures (-18.2%) and number of hospital admittance (-21.1%) were obtained for group A in relation to B. The QOL survey showed 28.7% improvement for group A compared with 33.4% improvement compared with control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The health program with exhaustive follow-up administration, significantly reduced risk factors and complications associated with aging.
Marín
Gustavo Horacio
GH
Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. gmarin@netverrk.com.ar
Homar
Cecilia
C
Niedfeld
Germán
G
Matcovick
Graciela
G
Mamonde
Mario
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000886:Anthropometry; D001118:Argentina; D003614:Dance Therapy; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006078:Government Programs / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D015397:Program Evaluation