Prevention can work, we need better ways to deliver it
The body of evidence that preventive interventions can improve health outcomes in older adults is overwhelming. Alone and in combination, physical activity, weight management, healthy eating, fall prevention, vaccinations, social engagement, home safety, etc., are found to be beneficial for older adults. Yet it is often noted that for all of the apparent “promise” of preventive interventions there is little optimism that it can be helpful in the ‘real world’ of health care cost curve bending or direct patient care. Why the skepticism and is it justified?
Without a system of delivery to provide such services which is proactive in identifying and outreaching to those who can benefit and is comprehensive, affordable, reliable, and easy to access it should come as no surprise that we fail to see shining examples of the benefits of preventive interventions in the U.S. health system. Much more research must be supported to work on this problem. Models like HQP’s community-based nurse care management program are proof that it is possible to specifically design and test strategies to improve our delivery system for preventive services to older adults. We need to build on these kinds of ‘proof of concept’ efforts and move forward to continue to improve and refine such models.
