Outpatient Care Models: The Gerofit Model of Care for Exercise Promotion in Older Adults
Maintaining independence is the most highly valued health outcome of older adults with chronic conditions, yet chronic pain and fear of exacerbating these conditions contribute to inactivity. Deconditioning and physical inactivity underlie much of the physical health burden attributed to multiple chronic diseases so prevalent in older adult populations. Deconditioning often goes untreated by primary care teams and specialty providers, which can lead to a negative cascade in functional decline, and ultimately frailty, resulting in loss of independence. Loss of independence in older adults places a considerable financial burden on individuals, their families, and the healthcare system. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is uniquely impacted by these costs, as long-term care services are a part of the VHA medical benefits package for qualifying veterans. These services are subsidized in part, or entirely, by the VHA. The attenuation of age-related functional decline and maintenance of independence is a VHA priority [1]. Gerofit is an established, evidence-based exercise and health promotion clinical program that serves older veterans at risk for institutionalization by targeting physical limitations that are modifiable with exercise intervention.
