title: Activation among chronically ill older adults with complex medical needs: challenges to supporting effective self-management.
abstract: Successful chronic care ideally involves patient engagement, but little is known about chronically ill older adults' ability to self-manage their health. This study examines activation among hypertensive patients older than 65 years. Almost 60% of participants scored in the bottom half of the activation scale; only 8% scored at the highest level. Higher activation was associated with higher self-ratings of health, health literacy, and receipt of patient-centered care, shorter lengths of stay, and lower depression and hearing impairment levels. Effective self-management support for chronically ill elders will likely require varied strategies and may need to address depression, health literacy, and/or hearing impairments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA. LIG2002@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Barrón
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mongoven
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Henriquez
authors.forename: Evie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreopoulos
authors.forename: Penny H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires