Effectiveness of a comprehensive health program for the well-elderly by community health nurses

Effectiveness of three nursing approaches used in providing health care for the well-aging was tested experimentally by selecting three matched groups among a well-aging population of 195 who lived in three housing units for the elderly. The approaches differed in extensiveness of physical and psychosocial assessment and in involvement of residents in screening, counseling, and health education sessions. Health status was measured before and after one year of implementation by specific observations and structured interviews. Residents who received the extensive nursing program: reported increases in their positive perceptions of their own health, learned to respond effectively to health screening programs, and showed increases in the number who were under primary care. The data supported study hypotheses that predicted higher levels of health for persons who had the opportunity of extensive and specific nursing interventions.