Elders Description of Facilitators and Barriers to Healthy Aging

Hagerty, Debra Lynn

Thursday, 25 July 2013: 9:10 AM

Debra Lynn Hagerty, DNP, RN, BS, NHA, BSW, CDONA, FACDONA¹
Catherine Gilbert, EdD, RN,²
Helen Taggart, DSN, MSN, BSN, Diploma²
(1)Nursing Department, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA
(2)Department of Nursing, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA

Learning Objective 1: Learner will be able to identify at least 2 facilitators of healthy aging based on research findings from subjects in the Southeastern United States.

Learning Objective 2: Learner will be able to identify one barrier to healthy aging based on research findings from subjects in the Southeastern United States.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to expand on previous research and explore facilitators and barriers to healthy aging. Persons 65 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the population. By the year 2020, it is estimated that the number of U.S. adults over the age of 65 years will be greater than 54 million (U.S. Censes Bureau, 2008). This trend is similar in many other developed countries. As the proportion of elderly increases, it is most important to foster aging that enhances quality of life and health.

Methods: This mixed method study involved 20 subjects who participated in face-to-face qualitative interviews and completed the Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP) (Hwang, 2009) questionnaire.

Results: Participants (n = 20) ranged in age from 73 to 96 (7 male, 13 female and 9 Caucasian and 11 African American). The number of chronic illnesses ranged from 0 to 9. Self-rating of health reports included 5 excellent, 13 very good and 2 fair. Quantitative analysis of the HELP revealed that this group of older adults scored lower than the standard for average overall health. Group scored for the sub-scales were lower than average for exercise, diet, psychosocial, but higher than average for leisure and activities of daily living, and average for other health promotion activities.

Conclusion: The findings provide evidence on facilitators and barriers to healthy aging. This evidence will support regional efforts (Area Agency on Aging) to inform program and policy development.

See more of: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for the Aging Population
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