Healthy Aging

Chronic health conditions are, unfortunately, often a part of the aging process. Eighty-six percent of people over age 65 live with at least one chronic health condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or cancer. Sixty-one percent live with two or more such conditions. Chronic health conditions can create challenges that affect every aspect of a person’s life. However, learning to manage those conditions enables people to stay healthy, active and engaged in their communities. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) offer programs to help older adults and their caregivers better manage their health.

Evidence-Based Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Programs

Good health can support successful aging and independent living. In addition to offering critical home and community-based services which support independence and reduce health care costs, nearly all AAAs deliver at least one evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion program. Evidence-based programs empower older adults to take control of their health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle through increased self-efficacy and self-management.

Through the limited, but essential, resources available through Title III D of the Older Americans Act, AAAs leverage multiple funding streams including both public and private sources, to considerably expand the reach of their evidence-based programs. Additionally, other key federal funding sources include programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Of the formally recognized programs, AAAs are most likely to deliver these:

• A Matter of Balance (66 percent)
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (59 percent)
• Diabetes Self-Management Program (47 percent)
• Powerful Tools for Caregivers (39 percent)
• Tai Chi for Arthritis (37 percent)

This is a list of highest tier Evidence-Based Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs that can be supported by Title IIID funds.

Resources

• U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL): OAA Title III D Evidence-Based Programs
• ACL’s Other Health and Wellness Programs, Brain Health Information
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Aging, Healthy Brain Initiative