Division of Population Health

Figure 6. Percentage of Medicare enrollees aged 65 years or older who are unable to perform
certain physical functions
35
30
32
25
23
Percentage
20
15
10
5
0
10
19
Stoop/kneel
3
Men
5
Reach
overhead
1
Women
2
14
Write Walk 2–3
blocks
7
15
Lift 10 lbs.
19
Any of these
Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans 2010:
Key Indicators of Well-Being.
Physical Activity and the Physical Environment
Previous efforts to help people improve their mobility have focused on encouraging
physical activity, such as walking. Social support interventions in community settings have
focused on changing people’s behavior by building, strengthening, and maintaining social
networks that provide supportive relationships for behavior change. The Community Guide
(www.thecommunityguide.org) provides information on evidence-based programs and
recommendations related to health interventions for behavior change. Table 4 provides
examples of behavioral and social approaches to increasing physical activity.
Table 4. Recommended Interventions for Promoting Physical Activity
Approach Recommended Strategies Description of Strategies
Behavioral and Social
Approaches
Individually adapted
health behavior change
programs.
Social interventions in
community settings.
Individually adapted health behavior change
programs seek to increase physical activity by
teaching people how to incorporate physical
activity into their daily routines. Programs are
tailored to each individual’s specific interests,
preferences, and readiness for change.
Social support interventions seek to change physical
activity behavior by building, strengthening,
and maintaining social networks that provide
supportive relationships for behavior change.
Source: Adapted from The Guide to Community Preventive Services, www.thecommunityguide.org.
PAGE 36 The State of Aging and Health in America 2013