Older Adults’ Perspectives on Naturopathic Medicine’s Impact on Healthy Aging

Abstract

High rates of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization among older adults are of interest because studies suggest relationships among CAM, self-care, and healthy lifestyle. These potential relationships are of particular interest because of the contribution of self-care in maintaining physical, emotional, and spiritual health as key strategies to successful aging. Naturopathic medicine (NM) is a type of primary care CAM used by older adults, yet little is known about older adults' use of NM or its role in healthy aging. We sought to examine perceptions about, and utilization of, NM and the experience of addressing health and wellness as part of the aging process. Phenomenology-based qualitative inquiry. A total of 13 community-based clinics affiliated with a naturopathic medical school. A total of 47 adults aged 58-100 years. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured focus groups with quantitative analysis of clinical administrative data. Over 2543 older adults used NM services affiliated with a natural academic clinic in Seattle in 2011 for diagnoses consistent with primary care: fatigue, anxiety, diabetes, diarrhea, and depression, in rank order. Participants reported they sought NM because it offered a different system of care aligned with their values. Themes included (1) feeling heard, (2) a focus on health education including prevention and self-care, and (3) feeling supported. Themes further distilled into optimal descriptive characteristics of patient-centered providers that may best support older adults' healthy aging. A final theme described barriers to further utilization.