A New Vision of Aging: Helping Older Adults Make Healthier Choices

It is clear that if older adults increase physical activity, improve eating habits and take some relatively simple steps to minimize the risk of falling, they could live longer and healthier lives. However, there are real environmental, organizational, social and personal barriers to adopting healthier behaviors.

It is not only the organized provision of care that maintains the health of older people but the kind of care they take themselves. As documented in this report -- the Center for the Advancement of Health's second issues briefing -- medical care is not necessarily the only, most effective or cost efficient method of promoting health and longevity. Prevention and adoption of healthy habits, supported by resources in each local community, is essential and do-able.

By strengthening the capacity of agencies and services outside the sphere of medicine to help older adults eat better, remain active and avoid falls, support becomes more readily available and less passive than customary health care.

Supporting older adults in their efforts to maintain their independence, their functioning and their quality of life is a responsibility that should not be limited by the interest or capacity of health care institutions but should be a common goal of all Americans. The public investment in making sure this happens should reach into the neighborhoods, the senior centers, the YMCAs and local health clubs of every community, unconstricted by the interest or capacity of health care institutions.

View full report (PDF)