Promoting Active Aging: Lessons Learned in an Implementation Pilot in Primary Care

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for maintaining mobility in older adults.
• Current primary care practices often lack screening for mobility impairment and PA counseling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the feasibility and acceptability of a video-based PA counseling tool.
• To assess the implementation of two mobility assessment tools in primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods randomized-controlled pilot study involving three primary care practices.
• Participants (aged 65+) underwent mobility assessments (self-report and 4-meter walk test).
• Feasibility, acceptability, and value were assessed via interviews and surveys; effectiveness measured by attendance at a PA information session.

Main Results:

• Mobility assessments, including the 4-meter walk test, were feasible in primary care.
• Staff reported significant time and support needed for assessments and video tools, leading to low acceptability.
• Attendance at PA information sessions did not differ between the intervention and control groups.

Conclusions:

• While mobility assessment is feasible, tablet-based tools and video counseling require significant staff time, hindering implementation.
• Future interventions must find efficient methods to promote PA in sedentary older adults without overburdening staff.