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Habits Are Hard to Break for Older Patients With Serious Illness

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A recent study of adults aged 50 to 85 years showed that a majority of these patients facing a chronic condition do not embrace healthier behaviors. In fact, only 19% of study participants diagnosed with lung disease quit smoking within 2 years. Study findings are presented in the Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.

Using statistics from the Health and Retirement Study, an ongoing survey of over 11,000 Americans aged 50 years or older that began in 1992, researchers investigated the degree to which these adults changed smoking, drinking, and exercise behaviors following a diagnosis of heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, and diabetes.

“Even after an illness has occurred, change in behavior is critical for improving quality of life, reducing risk of recurrence or complications, and extending life,” said research team leader Jason T. Newsom, PhD, Portland State University.

Study results showed that although smokers decreased the number of cigarettes consumed per day, only 19% of those suffering from lung disease quit the habit.

Following the diagnosis of any of the chronic conditions, no significant improvements were made in the percentage reporting regular vigorous exercise (at least 3 times per week). Rather, the percentage exercising declined significantly among those with cancer, lung disease, and stroke. However, the physical limitations associated with those conditions may have caused the decline.

Shifts in alcohol consumption were minimal. However, those diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and lung disease who consumed alcohol significantly decreased their average number of daily drinks.

Finally, sociodemographic changes after diagnosis were few and inconsistent. Younger participants and women were slightly more apt to decrease exercise and alcohol consumption. Higher education was associated with smoking cessation, increased exercise, and decreased alcohol consumption.

Source: The Gerontological Society of America.