Shifting to Primary Prevention for an Aging Population: A Scoping Review of Health Promotion Initiatives for Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Canada.

Christina Visconti,Elena Neiterman

doi:10.7759/cureus.17109

Abstract

Older adults are healthier and living independently within our communities for longer. This demonstrates the need to build capacity in geriatric preventative services, with the potential to utilize health promotion to encourage successful aging. This scoping review examines the availability and potential of health promotion initiatives for community-dwelling older adults in Canada. Two research databases were searched for empirical articles published in Canada, in English, since 2000. A total of 17 articles met our inclusion criteria. The empirical literature demonstrates successful implementation of different primary prevention programs, with various facilitation methods used to address several health issues in late life. Most programs targeted falls prevention, often using education or exercise programming. Participants reported positive results in various biopsychosocial aspects of aging. Reported positive health outcomes and high engagement rates across examined programs may represent the ability for health promotion to successfully address the needs of older adults in the community, as well as meet the existing desire for participation in such initiatives. Further implementation and investment into health promotion for older adults can increase the accessibility of these programs across Canada, address new needs amongst this population, and alleviate the future healthcare burden posed by the growing aging demographic. The need for preventative services in gerontology is universal, thus the success seen in health promotion programs and policy, and the need for expansion, in Canada may also be relevant in countries with similar demographics.

Highlights

IntroductionBackgroundPopulation aging is a growing global phenomenon [1]. In 2020, 18% of the Canadian population, or about 6.8 million individuals, were over the age of 65 years [2], with approximately 93% of Canadian older persons residing in private dwellings [3]
BackgroundPopulation aging is a growing global phenomenon [1]
This review demonstrated that health promotion initiatives offer older adults living in the community a chance to age successfully by providing social engagement and empowerment in late life [4]

Summary

Introduction

BackgroundPopulation aging is a growing global phenomenon [1]. In 2020, 18% of the Canadian population, or about 6.8 million individuals, were over the age of 65 years [2], with approximately 93% of Canadian older persons residing in private dwellings [3]. Rowe and Khan’s concept of “successful aging” defines three goals for optimal aging: (1) minimal disease and disability, (2) high cognitive and physical functioning, and (3) meaningful engagement in life [4]. This definition emphasizes biopsychosocial contributors to healthy aging through establishing the importance of preventing decline and empowering the individual, in addition to disease management, in later life [5]. Preventative services provide the potential for improved physical function, increased social engagement among older adults, and consequent healthcare cost reduction [7]

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