Positive Health Online

Abstract

RHEE and COLLEAGUES,   1 Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; 2 Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Yale-New Haven Health, Connecticut;  3 Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut examined patterns and perceived benefits of seven major complementary health approaches (CHA) among older adults in the United States.

Background

To examine patterns and perceived benefits of seven major complementary health approaches (CHA) among older adults in the United States.

Methodology

Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which represents non-institutionalized adults aged 65 or older (n = 7,116 unweighted), were used. The authors elicited seven most common CHA used in older adults, which are acupuncture, herbal therapies, chiropractic, massage, meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga. Survey participants were asked to self-report perceived benefits (e.g., maintaining health and stress reduction) in their CHA used. The authors estimated prevalence and perceived benefits of CHA use. The authors also investigated socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the use of any of these seven CHA.

Results

Overall, 29.2% of older adults used any of seven CHA in the past year. Most commonly used CHA included herbal therapies (18.1%), chiropractic (8.4%), and massage (5.7%). More than 60% of older CHA users reported that CHA were important for maintaining health and well-being. Other perceived benefits included improving overall health and feeling better (52.3%), giving a better sense of control over health (27.4%), and making it easier to cope with health problems (24.7%). Older adults with higher education and income levels, ≥2 chronic conditions, and functional limitations had greater odds of using CHA (p < .01, respectively).

Conclusion

A substantial number of older CHA users reported CHA-related benefits. CHA may play a crucial role in improving health status among older adults. At the population level, further research on the effects of CHA use on bio-psycho-social outcomes is needed to promote healthy aging in older adults.

References

Taeho Greg Rhee  1   2 , Richard A Marottoli  1   3 , Peter H Van Ness  1 , Mary E Tinetti  1   3.  Patterns and Perceived Benefits of Utilizing Seven Major Complementary Health Approaches in U.S. Older Adults  J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.;73(8): 1119-1124. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gly099. Jul 9 2018.