Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change for Older Adults: A Research Centers Collaborative Network Workshop Report

Modifying unhealthy behaviors and/or environments may improve or maintain an older adult's health. However, achieving and sustaining behavior change is challenging and depends upon clinical, social, psychological, and political domains. In an effort to highlight the multidisciplinary nature of behavior change, the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) Research Centers Collaborative Network (RCCN) held a two-day workshop, achieving and sustaining behavior change for older adults. The workshop was informed by the socioecological model and designed to initiate dialogue around the individual, community, and systems-level determinants of behavior change. This article summarizes key topics presented during the workshop, discusses opportunities for future research, education, and training, and recommends how each of the six NIA research centers may pursue work in behavior change for older adults.

Automated summary

Modifying unhealthy behaviors and/or environments can improve or maintain the health of older adults, but achieving and sustaining behavior change is challenging and involves various domains such as clinical, social, psychological, and political factors. The National Institute on Ageing (NIA) Research Centers Collaborative Network (RCCN) organized a two-day workshop to emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of behavior change in older adults. The workshop focused on the individual, community, and systems-level determinants of behavior change and discussed future research, education, and training opportunities for the six NIA research centers.