Health Risk Appraisals With Aging Adults: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Identification of risk factors unique to the aging experience is vital to support health promotion efforts and prevent loss of independence for the increasing aging population. Health risk appraisals are tools capable of identifying a broad range of factors that affect health; however, these tools were designed for use with predominantly healthy working-age adults. The purpose of this integrative review was to describe uses and adaptations of health risk appraisals with aging adults. A total of 43 articles met inclusion criteria, identifying multiple adaptations necessary to effectively identify the risks faced by aging adults, including those related to activities of daily living, pain, depression, social support/network, vision, hearing, and cognitive status. Uses included support for health promotion efforts and to determine risk for depression, falls, and loss of independence. Further research needs to be done to evaluate impact when used as a health promotion and prevention tool for aging adults.

Enhancing Annual Wellness Visit Outcomes: Patient Perceptions and Provider Practices

“…2,6 Additionally, studies indicate that few providers conducting AWVs are meeting all mandated visit requirements, particularly in relation to the health risk appraisal, even though they believe it is important to do so. 7,8 Purpose This brief report describes current practice/provider issues relative to implementation of the AWV. As advanced practice nurses (APNs) take on greater responsibilities for preventive care, it is important to identify strategies that enhance these services.…”

Patient Identification of Health Risk

“…Incorporating results from health risk assessments may provide input to the provider in working with an individual to tailor a plan for self-management of their chronic condition and health maintenance. Simpson and Pedigo (2018) note in their article in this issue that some providers use health risk assessment tools to identify various types of risk and support health promotion and disease prevention. This is consistent with the risk communication literature which focuses on estimating and communicating the probability of some future state, for example, stroke or breast cancer.…”