Phelan et al arthritis, emphysema, nervous or emotional problems, cataract) had been diagnosed by a physician. We assessed PCP awareness of their patients’ participation in HEP and their own impressions of the benefits of HEP via a brief questionnaire mailed to PCPs by the HEP nurse in June 2003. There were 210 PCPs who were mailed a questionnaire. Sample size With 224 participants, we had greater than 90% power to detect a change of one point or more on the PACE instrument, at a significance level of 0.05. This estimate is based on pre- and post-intervention means and standard deviations from the local dissemination of HEP (Phelan, Williams, Leveile, et al 2002). Data analysis We analyzed participant data with paired t-tests for continuous variables and McNemar’s test for matched pairs for categorical variables to assess for differences between enrollment and follow-up in their disability risk factors, health and functional status, and hospitalizations. Results Participant retention and characteristics Initial and 12-month follow-up data were available for 115 (51% of the 224) participants whose 12-month follow-ups were due on or before 31 December 2003. Of the remaining 109 (49%) participants who did not provide 1-year follow- up data, one died, 35 (32%) discontinued, 4 (4%) moved away, 9 (8%) graduated before 12 months because their goals were met, 3 (3%) declined to provide data for research purposes, 37 (34%) had some other reason, and 20 (18%) gave no reason. The most frequent reasons listed by the 35 participants who discontinued were “low attendance” (n=19, 54%), “conflicting goals” (n=9, 26%), “health issues resolved” (n=4, 11%), and “illness or injury” (n=3, 9%). Forty-five (39%) of the 115 participants with one-year follow-up enrolled in the LFP exercise class, and 36 (80%) of those attended more than half of the classes. Nineteen (17%) of the 115 participants with one-year follow-up participated in the CDSM workshop, and 16 (84%) of those attended more than half of the sessions. Data on pairing with a health mentor were not systematically collected. Table 1 shows selected demographic and health characteristics of participants at the time of enrollment in HEP, comparing completers (those who completed both one 270 Table 1 Demographic and health characteristics of participants at time of enrollment, comparing those completing one year with those not completing one year Characteristic Age, years, mean±SD Female % Non-white % Chronic medical conditions % Heart problems Diabetes Hypertension Arthritis Emphysema Nervous or emotional Cataract Current smoker % Difficulty with any ADL % Difficulty with ADL % Bathing Dressing Toileting Transferring Feeding Difficulty with mobility % Climbing one flight Climbing several flights Walking one block Walking several blocks Blocks walked per week, mean±SD Disability risk factors Depression GDS score±SD Physical inactivity PACE score±SD Nutritional risk DETERMINE score±SD Percent or Mean±SD Completing Not One Year Completing (n=115) One Year (n=109) 72.8±8.6 76.5 25.0 71.3±9.7 77.1 25.7 31.0 20.4 58.4 63.7 14.2 18.6 53.1 4.4 32.7 20.4 13.3 8.0 17.7 3.5 43.4 70.4 32.4 57.8 19±33 3.2±3.2 4.9±2.0 3.7±2.7 33.3 26.9 56.6 63.9 14.8 25.0 40.7 8.3 40.6 30.2 23.8 13.2 22.6 5.7 58.7 81.4 39.2 63.6 31±70 4.1±3.7 4.7±2.2 5.1±3.6 p-value 0.22 0.92 0.90 0.71 0.26 0.67 0.98 0.89 0.25 0.07 0.23 0.23 0.09 0.05 0.21 0.36 0.45 0.03 0.06 0.30 0.39 0.13 0.05 0.45 0.001 Abbreviations: ADL, activities of daily living: including bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and feeding; DETERMINE, disease, eating poorly, tooth loss or mouth pain, economic hardship, reduced social contact, multiple medications, involuntary weight loss or gain, need for assistance in self-care, elderly; Scores ≥4 (range 0–21) on the Nutrition Screening Initiative DETERMINE instrument indicate a greater likelihood of poor health at baseline and functional disability a year later; GDS, 15-item Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale; scores >5 (range 0–15) suggest depression; SD, standard deviation; PACE, Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise; scores ≤4 (range 1–11) indicate physical inactivity. year of the program and the 12-month questionnaire) with non-completers (those who did not complete the 12-month questionnaire). Completers had an average age of 72.8±8.6 years, were mostly women (77%), predominantly white (75%), and averaged 3.5 chronic health conditions (data not shown). Additional analyses (not shown in Table 1) showed no significant differences in the mean number of Clinical Interventions in Aging 2006:1(3)