¡Vivir Mi Vida! Pilot Study

Rationale: By the year 2050, the number of older adults in the US will more than double. Because older adults are more likely to develop chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis, society is facing a healthcare crisis if effective ways to prevent such diseases is not found. This is especially urgent for Latinos because they are the nation's fastest growing ethnic group and they are in many cases at greater risk for chronic disease. Objectives: ln this proposed pilot project, the goal is to understand if a lifestyle intervention - iVivir Mi Vida! (iVMV!) - is feasible, acceptable, and shows preliminary promise in helping late middle-aged Latinos experience better health. The investigators will accomplish this goal by pilot testing the implementation of iVMV! in collaboration with community health service partners in Antelope Valley. Methods: ln this study, 40 patients, aged 50-65 years who are enrolled in Antelope Valley health centers will receive the iVMV! lifestyle-based health program. This program lasts four months and will be delivered by promotores (respected lay heath workers from the Latino community). Intervening promotores will be supervised by an occupational therapist and a senior promotora. Within the program, patients will participate in small group sessions at their local community healthcare facilities and will also receive numerous visits from the promotores in their homes. The program will involve weekly sessions in which the participants will be taught how to practice healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising, eating healthy food, and reducing stress. Initially and at the end of the four-month program, the investigators will measure health outcomes such as self-rated quality of life, diet and exercise, cholesterol and glucose levels, blood pressure, and weight. The investigators will also ask participants, promotores, and other research staff about their overall experiences during the study so that the investigators can improve our program for the future. Mixed-methods procedures will be used to analyze qualitative data (e.g., interview transcripts) and quantitative data (e.g., pre-post intervention health outcomes and 12-month follow-up). Anticipated lmpact: The study will provide critical information about the feasibility and acceptability and preliminary data on the health impact of the iVMV! intervention on late middle-aged Latino adults who are at risk for disease. Information collected from this study will inform the design of a larger-scale implementation study.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged at least 50 years at the outset of the four-month intervention and will be no older than 65 years upon completion of the intervention
2. Self-identify as Latino/Hispanic
3. Are fluent in Spanish
4. Live in Antelope Valley and do not plan on moving within six months from the beginning of the study
5. Are enrolled as a patient in the Antelope Valley Community Clinic
6. Have visited his/her primary care healthcare facility within the past year
7. Will be available by telephone for the duration of the intervention
8. Are oriented to person, place, and time as tested by asking the person's name, date, age, and place of residence
9. Self-report their ability to participate for the duration of the intervention