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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

M. Susan Grinslade, PhD, APRN, BC, Baccalaureate Program Director, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, School of Nursing, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1132, 409-772-0936, msgrinsl@utmb.edu and Linda M. Kaufman, MSN, RN, CS, Environmental Health & Wellness Center, San Antonio Metroplitan Health District, 911 Castroville Rd., San Antonio, TX 78237.

Promoting the health of older adults is often overlooked as unimportant or as not beneficial. Yet, clinical evidence indicates that healthy behaviors in the older adult can help them maintain their health and independence. Older adults are at risk for poorer health outcomes and health disparities related to limited financial resources, lack of education, or a lack of understanding and negotiating a complex healthcare system. In 2003, the CDC reported that nine out ten older adults (>65) go without appropriate health care screenings. A partnership program between the health department and university school of nursing was created to increase access to important health screenings for high risk older adults in San Antonio. The partnership program provides a comprehensive health risk appraisal, followed by health screenings for cardiovascular health (lipids, blood pressure, ABI), body fat composition, diabetes, depression, anemia, medication management and immunization status. An individualized computer generated health profile is created for each older adult. The health profile is reviewed individually and appropriate health promotion education and referral are provided. An additional program component is a home visit to conduct a fall risk appraisal in the older adult's home. Through implementation of this program, high risk older adults are given access to recommended preventive health screening activities, provided with individualized health promotion education, and an opportunity to make lifestyle changes that can minimize risk factors. Together, these activities help the older adult to live longer, healthier lives, a goal of Healthy People 2010.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss health promotion partnership activities.
• Articulate the benefits of the health promotion partnership to participating partners.
• Describe benefits of the health promotion activity from the older adult perspective.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation