Now recognized as a chronic medical condition, obesity is associated with serious health problems that increase morbidity and mortality; stigmatization at work, in social settings, and in healthcare settings; decreased physical function; lower health-related quality of life; and increased direct and indirect health care costs. When combined with common aging-related challenges, obesity can create complex clinical situations without easy solutions.

GSA is committed to promoting adjustments in the health care system to allow older adults with obesity and overweight a space where they can comfortably discuss treatment options without stigmatization and receive care for obesity, which often is the root cause of other chronic conditions with which they live. The increasing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease that requires treatment across one’s lifespan helps to overcome the stigma associated with the condition and increases support, resources, and treatment options. Increasing awareness and knowledge and adjusting behavior in treating older adults with obesity requires an interprofessional team. GSA’s obesity resources, including The GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Older Adults with Obesity, to drive practice change and promote comprehensive obesity care for older adults.

GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Older Adults with Obesity

The GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Older Adults with Obesity is based on the GSA KAER framework and intended to help primary care teams to help older people with obesity address their condition. It supports interprofessional teams to implement practices that will lead to the initiating meaningful conversations with older adults about their body size and implementing comprehensive, person-centered obesity care.

Informed by interprofessional experts, GSA makes ongoing updates to The GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Older Adults with Obesity. GSA also develops programs (e.g., podcasts, webinars) and reports to drive practice change and participates in and leads initiatives to ensure older adults with obesity and overweight receive evidence-based obesity care and enjoy access to the full continuum of obesity care options.

Many obesity resources are freely available on GSA Enrich and GSA members can engage in theGSA Obesity and Aging Interest Group.

Additional Information on this important topic is available from:

Lisa McGuire, PhD, FGSA
Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Practice Innovation

lmcguire@geron.org | 202-587-5870

Jen Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director, Strategic Alliances

jpettis@geron.org | 202-587-2822