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As you know, chronic diseases exact a
particularly heavy health and economic burden on older adults due to associated
long-term illness, diminished quality of life, and increased health care costs.
In 2005, 133 million people?almost half of all Americans?lived with at least
one chronic condition and 70 percent of all deaths in this country were
attributed to chronic diseases. The medical care costs of people with chronic
diseases account for more than 75 percent of the nation?s $2 trillion medical
care costs.1
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing
conditions in the United States. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is
highly correlated with lifestyle factors, specifically poor diet and physical
inactivity. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetes can
be prevented through modest lifestyle changes and losing about 5 to 7 percent
of body weight. Being active can help to control and maintain body weight and
stabilize blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Exercise can also help prevent
heart and blood flow problems, reducing the risk of heart disease and nerve
damage, which are often problems for people with diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommend moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk
walking, swimming, or bicycling, for 2.5 hours every week and
muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.2
Patients who are not accustomed to physical activity should start slowly and
work their way up. Talk to your patients about a safe exercise plan.
SilverSneakers can
help
Research shows Medicare-eligible
patients with diabetes who participate in the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness
Program
are admitted to the hospital less often, have lower inpatient
care costs, and see significant reductions in their overall health care costs
after only a year.3 SilverSneakers is the nation?s leading exercise
program for Medicare-eligible patients, offering physical activity, health
education, and social events. SilverSneakers members receive a complimentary
membership with access to a variety of participating locations throughout the
country.
Note: SilverSneakers is offered to
AmeriHealth 65? NJ HMO and AmeriHealth 65? Preferred HMO members at no cost. To enroll in the
program, members should bring their SilverSneakers ID card to a participating
SilverSneakers location. Members can visit the SilverSneakers website or call 1-888-423-4632 for a
complete list of locations.
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