Active Longevity program as important element of rehabilitation of elderly patients in primary health care

Abstract

Progressive increase in the proportion of elderly patients in the population of many countries actualizes the issues of preserving physical and mental health, working capacity and quality of life of retirees. As a part of preventive geriatric rehabilitation, ‘the Active Longevity’ program has been operating in many cities of Russia over the past three years, one of the aspects of the program is the involvement of elderly patients in active life, including an increase in physical activity. This study included 744 patients who attended face‑to‑face physical training sessions. According to the results of the survey, 41% of pensioners noted an increase of daily physical activity, 94% reported an improvement in health and mood, the level of total blood cholesterol decreased. Almost all patients, both with and without clinical and subclinical manifestations of anxiety and depression, reported a good and very good mood immediately after exercise. Increasing physical activity in elderly patients improves the quality of life and prolongs its duration, and is also an effective method of non‑drug treatment of anxiety‑depressive disorders.