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Many programs claim to improve the health of older adults. Few, if any, can demonstrate real results. Developing programs based on sound scientific evidence, like EnhanceWellness, has become critical.

From February 1995 to June 1996, researchers Suzanne G. Leveille, Edward H. Wagner, Connie Davis, Lou Grothaus, Jeffrey Wallace, Marianne LoGerfo, and Daniel Kent conducted a study of EnhanceWellness (formerly the Health Enhancement Program), which followed 201 disabled adults, aged 70 and older, to track improvements in their performance of activities of daily life (ADL). The results, later published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, showed that the program led to improved ADL functioning in those who were disabled and thereby offered a promising strategy for limiting or reversing functional decline in disabled older adults. Specifically, results showed:

• 72% decrease in hospital days
  
• 35% decrease in psychoactive drugs
  
• 11% decrease in depression
  
• 18% decrease in physical inactivity

As of March 2008, over 2,700 older adults with chronic conditions have participated in EnhanceWellnesss. Ongoing independent study results show that participants realized a significant decrease in depression and increase in physical activity.

For a complete list of citations, click here.

In addition, see:

Dept. of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2002). Promoting Older Adult Health: Aging network partnerships to address medication, alcohol, and mental health problems. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 02-3628, pp. 19-23.