Preventing autonomy loss with multicomponent geriatric interventions A resource-saving strategy? Evidence from the SPRINT-T study

Background The objective of healthy aging strategies is to support interventions targeting autonomy loss prevention, with the assumption that these interventions are likely to be efficient by simultaneously improving clinical outcomes and saving costs. Methods We compare the economic impact of two interventions targeting frailty prevention in older European populations: a multicomponent intervention including physical activity monitoring, nutrition management, and information and communications technology use and a relatively simple healthy aging lifestyle education program based on a series of workshops. Our sample includes 1519 participants from 11 European countries, who were men and women aged 70 years or older. Our econometric model explores trends in several outcomes depending on intervention receipt and frailty status at baseline. Results Implementing a multicomponent intervention among frail older people does not lead to a lower use of care and cannot prevent quality of life losses associated with aging. However, it impacts older people's sense of priorities and interest in the future. We find no statistically significant difference between the two interventions, suggesting that the implementation of a multicomponent intervention may not be the most efficient strategy. The impact of the interventions does not differ by frailty status at baseline. Conclusions Our results show the need to implement healthy aging strategies that are more focused on people's interests.