BluePrint Mini-Grants
Fairfield University School of Nursing
Fairfield, Connecticut
Project Title:
Step Up to Health: A Residence-Based Physical Activity Program for Older Adults
Amount Funded: $24,996
About the Organization/Coalition:
The Health Promotion Center, an outreach program of Fairfield University
School of Nursing, has been collaborating with existing community agencies
to provide screening, education, and referral services to the underserved
in Bridgeport and surrounding communities since 1993. The center offers
comprehensive wellness services, including physical activity opportunities,
for Bridgeport residents. Step Up to Health has been developed to serve
culturally diverse, low-income older adults residing in senior housing
sites in the community.
Project Objectives:
- Survey residents at five senior housing sites and conduct focus groups
to determine existing physical activity levels and interest in establishing
programs in each residence, and to identify a core group of older adult
leaders. Senior student nurses will be involved in this process as part
of the service-learning component of their Community Health Nursing course.
- Introduce the Step Up to Health program at each site. Kick-off events will
include a guest speaker, refreshments, and incentive items.
- Offer a cardiovascular risk assessment to residents to measure blood pressure,
cholesterol levels, hemoglobin, and glucose and to review the family health
history, lifestyle factors, and medications. The assessment will also include
a health survey, self-rated function test, the Up and Go Test, and a statement
of the desired goal for the exercise program.
- Inform primary care providers about the program through flyers and updates.
- Form small groups with older adults and nursing students to plan group activity
goals and to encourage older adults to serve as role models in the community.
- Groups will participate in a focus group at three, six, and nine-month intervals
to identify successes and challenges. All participants will be asked to keep
an exercise diary.
Progress Report:
The Step Up to Health program accomplished the following objectives:
- The project was initially introduced to Sycamore Place, Laurelwood, and Washington Heights through a series of presentations and focus groups. Housing residents recommended the use of cardiovascular screenings to draw participants to the program. All residents who attended the introduction and completed surveys received a heart-shaped stress ball.
- Six second-degree nursing students were recruited for the project and staff members were trained to provide various tests.
- Program kick-off events at five housing sites included a cardiovascular screening, healthy snacks, and interactive demonstrations by exercise specialists on walking, aerobics, and yoga.
- Participants at Sycamore Place have formed a walking group and a gardening program. They have set individual and group goals, and began meeting three times per week for the walking program.
- More than 100 individuals completed the initial survey, ranging in age from 51 to 94 years. Of those who completed the survey, 90 percent were interested in some group physical activity. A total of 60 residents have agreed to participate in all phases of the Step Up to Health project.
- The survey also showed that few, if any, residents engage in moderate physical activity. The most frequently cited reason for inactivity was chronic health problems.
Contact Information:
Philip Greiner
Fairfield University School of Nursing
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
(203) 254-4000 ext. 2718
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