SilverSneakers Program
Situation
The economic impact of sedentary lifestyles among U.S. citizens is estimated to be in the billions of dollars annually. Millions of older adults suffer with health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes that are largely preventable by regular physical activity. While there is federal support for the treatment of those already ill, little is being provided to fund effective physical activity programs that engage individuals in lifestyle behavior changes to prevent the devastating effects of disease.According to Healthy People 2010, 51% of adults between 65 and 74 years of age and 65% of adults over 75 engage in no leisure time physical activity. Only 14% of older adults report the level of physical activity recommended by the surgeon General and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Solution
Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive Health and Care SupportSM solutions to millions of people, helping them to maintain or improve their health and, as a result, reduce overall healthcare costs. Healthways’ programs are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate and slow the progression of disease associated with family or lifestyle risk factors and promote the best possible health for those already affected by disease.Healthways’ Health Support programs provide high-touch delivery systems that incorporate highly personalized solutions delivered through a national field staff of 300 behavior change professionals, nearly 10,500 fitness centers and over 40,000 health practitioners to continually engage members in healthy behavior. These programs help members improve physical activity levels and nutrition, lower stress levels, quit smoking and follow a program of periodic screening and testing.
The Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults. SilverSneakers engages older adults in active behavior through free access to fitness centers and senior-specific programs and classes that incorporate physical activity, nutrition, cognitive and social experiences. This award-winning program helps Medicare health plans improve member health, manage risk and lower health care costs.
Better Health & Lower Costs
As of August 2007, nearly three million Medicare beneficiaries across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico are eligible for the SilverSneakers Fitness Program through their health plans. The program typically engages 10-15% of eligible members during the first year of the benefit and continues to grow enrollees in subsequent years. 60% of these members had never belonged to a fitness center prior to enrolling.Participation in the program results in the following benefits, as demonstrated by clients nationwide:
- 58% of members who were sedentary upon enrollment report becoming physically active 3 or more days per week
- An average increase of 1.4 days of physical activity is reported among members who were already active at least 2 days per week
- 69% of enrollees report improved health
- 48% report improved diet
- 39% report greater frequency of social activities
- Participants demonstrate no statistically significant decline in physical health status (SF-36®) over a year despite aging and the presence of prior chronic health conditions.
- Participants who screen positive for depression demonstrate greater improvement in mental health status (SF-36®) than reported in the literature.
- 43% of enrollees said that SilverSneakers was one reason they joined their health plan and 74% of these members say it was a very important reason.
- 78% of enrollees say that, based on their experience with SilverSneakers, they are more likely to refer friends and family to their health plan.
- If coverage for the SilverSneakers Fitness Program was available to all 42 million Medicare beneficiaries, over $3 billion of unnecessary health care costs could be avoided annually.
