Evaluating the Effectiveness of the "Self-CARE for a Healthy Heart" Program with Older Adults

Abstract

"Self-CARE for a Healthy Heart" promotes healthier dietary practices to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. Forty-four adults, aged 60-90, participated. The objectives were to determine if this self-paced program improved dietary habits and to identify how it could be better tailored for elderly. After finishing Self-CARE, 47.8% of respondents reported choosing more low-fat foods. Over 39% reported selecting fewer foods associated with heart disease. Minimal suggestions were made to improve the program. The print format, as a method to learn how to lower blood cholesterol, was preferred by a majority. Over half thought Self-CARE was effective with the elderly. Although measured dietary behavior did not improve, the format and content of Self-CARE were appropriate for use with seniors.

Improving Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Resources for Older Adults

“…This would seem to apply particularly to older adults. Mayeda and Anderson (1993) described a print-materials nutrition education program. Their theoretical framework was based on the Health Belief and Stages of Change models, which influenced them to develop print materials that included sections to create reader awareness, interest, practice and reinforcement.…”

“…Phone interviews revealed that 92% of subjects had read the nutritional tip sheets, 83% reported that they were useful, and 90% reported meeting some or all of their nutritional goals. The authors used self-reported nutrition behavior change without corroborating objective measures, which has been shown to be an unreliable way to determine dietary composition for an elderly population (Arnold et al, 1996;Mayeda and Anderson, 1993). Most of the study outcomes measured showed that the exercise program had significant impact.…”

“…Mayeda and Anderson (1993) developed print materials that used multiple components to present the single concept of heart-healthy eating in order to help create the readers' awareness, interest, practice and reinforcement. Lancaster et al (1997) focused their newsletter's eight-page first issue solely on dietary fat.…”

“…Mayeda and Anderson (1993) reported that some older adults found certain colors, like red, hard to read. Lancaster et al (1997) described characteristics of attractive designs to increase the attention of older readers.…”

“…Another way to achieve interaction is by conducting a group discussion of print materials, or a short (e.g., 15 or 20 minutes) individual counseling session, even if the program does not require direct counseling. According to suggestions by Mayeda and Anderson (1993), such a counseling intervention may benefit older adults enrolled in a self-help nutrition education program. They believed that individual sessions would have improved the understanding of their subjects, who were aged 60-90 years, of the printed computer-assisted feedback they received regarding their dietary status and in areas for potential improvement in dietary practices.…”