The 10 keys to healthy aging: findings from an innovative prevention program in the community.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate a novel, comprehensive prevention program for older adults designed to assess and improve adherence to preventive health care goals.


METHODS
In McKeesport, Pennsylvania, 389 men and women aged 65 and older were enrolled. We assessed adherence to 10 preventive health goals, provided education and counseling, and reevaluated after 12 months.


RESULTS
At baseline, adherence varied. After 12 months, proportions of participants meeting goals were improved for several areas. Overall, improvements were seen for the proportion of participants meeting goals for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (+43%), blood pressure control in hypertensives (+17%), blood glucose control in diabetics (+50%), and colon cancer screening (+13%). Among those without prior vaccination, influenza vaccine increased by 25% and pneumonia vaccine by 20%.


CONCLUSIONS
This comprehensive prevention program had short-term benefits for improving adherence to established prevention guidelines in older adults. This low-cost effective program could be disseminated nationwide.
Newman
Anne B
AB
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. newmana@edc.pitt.edu
Bayles
Constance M
CM
Milas
Carole N
CN
McTigue
Kathleen
K
Williams
Kathy
K
Robare
Joseph F
JF
Taylor
Christopher A
CA
Albert
Stephen M
SM
Kuller
Lewis H
LH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D040361:Healthy People Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D016730:Program Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data