OBJECTIVES: This investigation determined whether an in-home resistance training program achieved health benefits in older adults with disabilities. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of assigning 215 older persons to either a home-based resistance exercise training group or a waiting list control group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 months following randomization. The program consisted of videotaped exercise routines performed with elastic bands of varying thickness. RESULTS: High rates of exercise adherence were achieved, with 89% of the recommended exercise sessions performed over 6 months. Relative to controls, subjects who participated in the program achieved statistically significant lower extremity strength improvements of 6% to 12%, a 20% improvement in tandem gait, and a 15% to 18% reduction in physical and overall disability at the 6-month follow-up. No adverse health effects were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide important evidence that home-based resistance exercise programs designed for older persons with disabilities hold promise as an effective public health strategy.

Minimising the use of medical terminology in medical correspondence significantly improved patient understanding and perception of their ability to manage their chronic health condition. Although there was no impact on EQ-5D depression/anxiety scores, overwhelming patient preference for the 'translated' letter indicates a need for minimisation of medical terminology in medical correspondence for patients with chronic health conditions.

Purpose:The latent risk of developing acute/chronic forms of heart disease among older Australians remains at historical highs despite significant advances in pharmacotherapy and devices to treat the condition.Methods: Data from a contemporary study on the burden of chronic heart failure (CHF) in Australia (population ∼24 million and ∼25% live in regional settings) were used to calculate the number of de novo CHF admissions (n=27,468) per annum. From these, we estimated the proportion of HFcases readmitted (37.3%), days of HF-related hospitalisation (1,006,113 days from 147,347 admissions) and case-fatality (30.5%) within 12 months. Health economic data from a recent multicentre trial of CHF management were then applied to estimate the direct cost burden imposed by HF.Results: The greatest burden of HF lies in hospital stays (de novo/recurrent) among individuals >65 years (281,647 days men versus 306,332 days women). Total healthcare expenditure (including in-patient care and associated community management costs) for managing HF is estimated at $2.68 billion/annum ($1.46 billion men versus $1.22 billion women). The direct cost of in-patient care (non-elective) imposed by HF remains high and contributed to around two thirds (68% or $1.82 billion) of the total expenditure; whilst the estimated annual cost of managing HF in the community was just under $900 million ($573 million men versus $294 million women).Conclusions: Taking into account the increasing longevity of Australians, these figures are likely to rise without the application of evidence-based strategies capable of cost-effectively reducing the costliest component of HF management -hospital stay.http://dx. Aim:To determine whether minimising the use of Latin medical terminology in medical correspondence improved patient understanding and anxiety/depression scores.Background: There is little existing research on the role that secondary care letters have in ensuring patient understanding of chronic health conditions.Methods: A single-centre, non-blinded, randomised crossover design assessed health literacy, EQ-5D scores, and the impact of the 'translated' letter on the doctor's professionalism, the patient's relationship with their GP, and their perceived impact on chronic disease management. Patients were crossed over between their 'translated' and original letter. Ethics approval granted by Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee. UTN: U111-1160-8460.Results: 60 patients were recruited. There was no effect on EQ-5D depression/anxiety scores (z=-0.378, p=.705). Use of a 'translated' letter reduced median terms not understood from five to zero (z=5.367, p<0.0005). Most patients (77.6%) preferred the 'translated' letter, with 69% patients perceiving an enhancement in their doctor's professionalism (p<0.0001, 95%CI:0.5645-0.7926), 68.3% reporting a positive influence on relationship with their GP (p<0.0001, 95%CI: 0.5573-0.7867), and 79.4% reporting an increase in perceived ability to manage their chronic health condition with the 'translated' let...

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