Short Term Changes in Health Behaviours of Older Adults

Abstract

According to Giocella and Bevil (1985) the lifestyle that one chooses has a direct impact on the quality and quantity of life. Eating, exercise, substance use and abuse, stress, and environmental factors are the major known modifiable causes of illness today (Orlandi 1987). Others may argue that socio-economic factors are a stronger influence on health behaviours and life style than any other set of variables. There is a common attitude about people over 65, shared by the public and most health professionals, that it is too late to think seriously about prevention in this group because they already have many chronic diseases. The older adult has from one to eight chronic diseases (Filner & Williams, 1979). According to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, heart disease, cancer and stroke are the lifestyle diseases that are responsible for 75% of all deaths among the elderly. In very recent years however, attitudes have begun to change. Preventive services for the elderly, even those in their seventies and eighties, are available.