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Management and operations

Wellness to reduce healthcare costs

The average per-person payment for health and long-term care services for people 65+ with Alzheimer’s or other dementias was $33,007 in 2004. For people with no dementia or Alzheimer’s, the average per-person payment was $10,603.38
People with diagnosed diabetes incur average expenditures of $11,744 per year, of which $6,649 is attributed to diabetes. Their medical expenditures, on average, are 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes.39
People with diabetes who participated in a group-exercise program (SilverSneakers) through a Medicare Advantage plan had lower total healthcare costs (-$1,633) after one year than older adults who did not exercise. The trend continued after two years of participation in the program (-$1,230).40 (618 people)
People whose functional status worsened over time had direct costs of care that were 62% higher than for [HMO] insureds who maintained high functional status over the same time period.41
The medical costs for normal weight seniors were approximately $1,548 dollars lower than those for a minimally obese senior. Daily walking also predicted lower costs for hospitalizations and diagnostic testing.42

At ages 70, 78 and 85 years, people who were physically active were more likely to remain independent and experienced fewer declines in their ability to perform daily tasks. In addition, they reported fewer new instances of loneliness or poor self-rated health.43 (1,861 people born in 1920 and 1921)
Higher levels of physical activity among residents of retirement communities were associated with a slowed rate of mobility decline. Each additional hour of physical activity reported by individuals led to approximately a 3% decrease in rate of mobility decline.28 (886 older adults)
Participating in social activities (such as doing volunteer work, visiting friends or relatives, or attending church or sporting events) slowed decline in motor function (e.g, ability to walk in a line, tap index finger or grip). Each one-point decrease in a participant’s social activity was associated with an approximate 33% more rapid rate of decline.44 (906 older adults)

People who volunteered and exercised, perceived their level of social activity level as “enough,” and demonstrated a higher participation level pattern were more likely to have less depression, and less depression over time.45 (5,294 older adults)
Available evidence indicates that cognitive health is supported by intellectual activity, social interaction and physical activity. Intellectual activity also is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Aerobic exercise is particularly associated with cognitive functioning.46
Cognitive decline was linked with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, greater body mass index, heart disease, diabetes and smoking. Psychosocial factors—emotional and social support networks, high socioeconomic status and low stress levels—correlated with cognitive and emotional health later in life.47 (96 studies involving 65+ adults)

People at less risk for fall-related fractures felt a higher level of life satisfaction and engaged in social activities, were married, had lived in their homes for 5 years or longer, had private health insurance, and used proactive coping strategies.48 (387 people, 65+)
Exercise programs aimed at falls prevention lower risk of falls and the rates of falls. The greatest reduction in fall rates occurred with exercise that challenged balance and was conducted two hours a week over six months.49 (44 studies including 9,603 adults)
The incidence of falls was significantly reduced for exercisers engaged in calisthenics, balance training, muscle power training, and walking ability training 3 days a week.50 (68 older adults)