Healthier Living Program for Seniors (HELPS): A public health approach to chronic disease management

The Riverside County Department of Public Health (RCDOPH) Healthier Living Program for Seniors (HELPS) is a public health approach that targets high risk African American, Latino, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) adults age 55+ with asthma and diabetes, with the goal of increasing access to care and improving self-management of their disease process. Utilizing Stanford University's evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Model, HELPS is designed to help people gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms and teach them how their health problems affect their lives. In addition to this evidence-based model, HELPS includes the Lift Off exercise model designed by UCLA School of Public Health. Over the past year this program has been successfully implemented, in English and Spanish, among seniors of Riverside County, California.

Using the Stanford and UCLA models, RCDOPH created a novel program, by incorporating nutrition demonstrations and case management inclusive of home visits conducted by public health practitioners. Since its implementation in 2011, nearly 100 seniors have completed the program. These seniors report reductions in hospital visitations, greater energy, reduced fatigue, more exercise, fewer social role limitations, better psychological well being, enhanced partnerships with physicians, greater self-efficacy, and a reduction in chronic disease symptoms. This session will share the steps in the development and evaluation of an innovative program designed to reduce health inequities among seniors.