Physical health problems affected elderly patients' health behaviors more than mental health problems like depression, say Carla A. Green, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Oregon Health and Science University and colleagues at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.
In one exception to this finding, older patients who reported being depressed were more likely to smoke, the researchers report.
"Despite our expectations that self-reported depression and recent psychiatric treatment would be related to health practices among the elderly, we found few such relationships," Green says.
Green and colleagues surveyed 4,615 individuals ages 65 to 103, enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest HMO about their physical and mental health, their use of preventive health services and their health-related behaviors like smoking, drinking and exercise. They also asked the survey participants whether they had completed an advance medical directive like a living will.
Individuals were less likely to smoke or drink alcohol frequently as they got older, but they were also less likely to have mammograms, lose weight and exercise with increasing age, the researchers found.
Minority and low-income patients, along with those with physical health limitations, were less likely to use preventive medical services. Minority and low-income patients were also less likely to complete advance medical directives, according to the researchers.
"This suggests that additional efforts need to be made to reach out to elderly members of low-income or minority status to ensure that they receive important preventive care services," Green says.
Elderly patients who were taking multiple prescription medications or who had recently fallen were more likely to use preventive care and to practice good health behaviors, suggesting that regular contact with health care providers may encourage better health practices.
"Our findings suggest that these additional visits give health care providers more opportunities to suggest vaccinations, to go over opportunities for advance directives, and perhaps to discuss needs for behavior change," Green and colleagues say.
The study was published in the March/April issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion.
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Interviews: Terry Fitzpatrick, Kaiser Permanente Media Relations, at 503-335-6602 or terry.fitzpatrick@kpchr.org.
American Journal of Health Promotion: Call
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Journal
American Journal of Health Promotion