Assessing and enhancing whole-person wellness in older adults via individualized reports and feedback to providers of senior services

This session will describe a unique, comprehensive wellness assessment process conducted with older adults. Findings will be presented related to: current participation levels in six dimensions of wellness, stage of readiness for behavior change, self-efficacy, and satisfaction. Findings indicated that one-quarter of the 265 respondents participated in physical activity for 30 minutes per day and ate five servings of fruits/vegetables per day at least five days per week. As indicated by the proportion of respondents who indicated they participated “1 to 4 times per week” or more, spiritual well-being was enhanced by participation in religious services/spiritual discussions/programs (45%), as well as via meditating/spending time enjoying nature or in deep thought (58%). Although, generally very satisfied, respondents were least satisfied in terms of getting “regular physical activity at least 5 times per week”. This was also reflected in the proportion of respondents in the contemplation and preparation stages of behavior change for the physical dimension (27%). Substantial proportions of respondents also were in those stages for emotional (19%) and vocational dimensions (18%); thus opportunities to improve well-being in these areas exist. Respondents were least confident in their ability to handle stress. Based on their stage of change and self-efficacy, participants received an individualized report with suggestions to improve their well-being in each of the six wellness dimensions. Providers of senior living services received a summary report that they could use to identify ways to enhance their culture of wellness. The contents and use of these reports will be described.