Activating seniors to improve chronic disease care: results from a pilot intervention study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of an activation intervention delivered in community senior centers to improve health outcomes for chronic diseases that disproportionately affect older adults.


METHODS
Two-group quasi-experimental study.


METHODS
Two Los Angeles community senior centers.


METHODS
One hundred sixteen senior participants.


METHODS
Participants were invited to attend group screenings of video programs intended to inform about and motivate self-management of chronic conditions common in seniors. Moderated discussions reinforcing active patient participation in chronic disease management followed screenings. Screenings were scheduled over the course of 12 weeks.


METHODS
One center was assigned by coin toss to an encouragement condition in which participants received a $50 gift card if they attended at least three group screenings. Participants in the nonencouraged center received no incentive for attendance. Validated study measures for patient activation, physical activity, and health-related quality of life were completed at baseline and 12 weeks and 6 months after enrollment.


RESULTS
Participants attending the encouraged senior center were more likely to attend three or more group screenings (77.8% vs 47.2%, P=.001). At 6-month follow-up, participants from either center who attended three or more group screenings (n=74, 64%) reported significantly greater activation (P<.001), more minutes walking (P<.001) and engaging in vigorous physical activity (P=.006), and better health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short-Form Survey (SF-12) mental component summary, P<.001; SF-12 physical component summary, P=.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Delivering this pilot intervention in community senior centers is a potentially promising approach to activating seniors that warrants further investigation for improving chronic disease outcomes.
Frosch
Dominick L
DL
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Palo Alto, California 94301, USA. froschd@pamfri.org
Rincon
David
D
Ochoa
Socorro
S
Mangione
Carol M
CM
D016223:Advance Directives; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010358:Patient Participation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D014743:Videotape Recording; D016138:Walking