Older people

'Adults who are physically active have a 20% - 30% reduced risk of premature death and up to 50% reduced risk of developing the major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers.' (Chief Medical Officer, 2004)

The promotion of good health for older people reduces their need for more costly medical interventions and improves quality of life. Occupational therapists have been identified as key to promoting mental health and well being in the NICE Public Health Guidance (2008) based on the research completed by Florence Clark which evidences demonstrable savings.

Cost benefit of occupational therapy

A randomised control trial in independent-living older adults (the Well-Elderly Study) found significant health, function, and quality of life benefits attributable to a 9-month preventive Occupational Therapy program. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this preventative program. It was found that post intervention healthcare costs for the Occupational Therapy groups were reduced by 50% compared to the control group. Conclusion: preventative OT demonstrated cost-effectiveness and a trend toward decreased medical expenditures. (Hay J et al2002)
 
Download Promotion of General Health and Wellbeing in the Elderly
 
Find out more about cost savings for commissioners of OT services 

References
Chief Medical Officer (2004) At least five a week: evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health. London. Department of Health.
 
Clark F, Azen SP, Zemke R, Jackson J, Carlson M, Mandel D et al. (1997) Occupational therapy for independentliving older adults: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 278 (16): 1321–26. 
 
Clark F, Azen SP, Carlson M, Mandel D, LaBree L, Hay J, Zemke R, Jackson J, Lipson L (2001) Embedding healthpromoting changes into the daily lives of independent-living older adults: long-term follow-up of occupational therapy intervention. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological & Social Sciences, 56(1), p60–63
 
Gitlin LN, Winter L, Dennis MP, Corcoran M, Schinfeld S, Hauck WW (2006) A Randomized Trial of a Multicomponent Home Intervention to Reduce Functional Difficulties in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54(5), p809–816
 
Hay J, LaBree L, Luo R, Clark F, Carlson M, Mandel D, Zemke R, Jackson J, Azen SP (2002) Cost-effectiveness of preventive occupational therapy for independent-living older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50(8), p1381–1388
 
Mountain G, Craig C, Mozley C, Ball L (2006) Lifestyle matters: an occupational approach towards health and wellbeing in later life. Final report. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. 
 
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008) Occupational therapy interventions and physical activity interventions to promote the mental wellbeing of older people primary care and residential care. London: NICE.