Evaluation of Patient Coach Support for Older Adults With Obesity

The purpose of the present pilot is to evaluate the outcomes of adding a patient coach to support the Optimal Health Weight and Lifestyle (OHWL) Clinic plan developed by PI Dewar, specifically to address barriers and facilitators of adherence to the plan. This will be accomplished via a coach who is not embedded in clinic care and is supported by pilot research funds. Evaluation of the coach activities, conducted by research personnel, will include compiling data from the electronic health record, a short set of patient report and performance measures, and qualitative interviews.

Inclusion Criteria: * Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 35 * Ability to walk across a room with or without an assistive device * Willingness and ability to follow instructions * Interest in weight management * At least two of the following conditions: hypertension, cardiovascular conditions including heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis Exclusion Criteria: * Active mental health disorder, such as major depression * Moderate to severe cognitive impairment * Mobility limited to bed-bound status