Project Title:   The Older Adults Mobility and Socialization Program

Amount Funded:   $25,000

About the Organization/Coalition:
The organizations participating in the project include the New York State Physical Activity Coalition, The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western New York, The Erie County Department of Senior Services, the City of Buffalo Division of Senior Affairs, Living Prime Time Magazine and Communications, City of Buffalo Public Access Television and the Upstate NY Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. The project will target the culturally diverse population of older adults in Erie County and the city of Buffalo.

Project Objectives: The Older Adults Mobility and Socialization Program will build upon two existing and successful physical activity/social support models called "Passport to Wellness: Walking for Health", and "Move for Life!" It will also highlight a sense of community and build social capital by providing opportunities for socialization through physical activity within newly formed and already established social networks such as senior centers and city park settings. Specific objective will include:

1. The "Passport to Wellness" program features a series of free, guided outdoor and indoor walks that explore Buffalo's Olmsted Parks and other sites throughout the city. First-time walkers will receive a Walking for Health Passport with a stamp for each walk in which they participate. Walkers also receive incentives, such as water bottles, neck wallets, and other items. Those who bring a "friend" or caregiver will also receive an incentive. Forty to fifty participants will be recruited for each walk or activity.
2. The "Move for Life" program offers consumer educational workshops to discuss topics ranging from physical activities at home, good nutrition for seniors, and how to perform stretching and weight training exercises.
3. Evaluation surveys will be used to measure the project's success by assessing behavior change and motivation.

Progress Report:  
The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western NY, the Erie County Physical Activity Coalition, and the New York State Dept. of Health-Health Research, Inc. presented a spring and fall Passport to Wellness: Walking for Health program. The program featured a series of six guided outdoor and indoor walks that explored the city of Buffalo's Olmstead and Erie County parks.

At the Spring Kick-Off Walk, 426 walkers registered, with an average of 70 walkers per event. Participation for the fall walk series included 685 walkers, with an average of 114 walkers per session. Special guest speakers presented beneficial health information on topics including arthritis, Tai Chi, safe senior driving, exercising with Dyna Bands, walking for health, and 10,000 steps. Participants could choose between a half-mile walk or a one-mile walk. Walkers who attended at least four sessions received a sun visor or fanny pack.

Survey evaluation of the spring walk indicated that 83 percent of participants felt that the program helped to increase their physical activity levels. Ninety percent said they would continue walking after the program ended. A majority also said they would consider forming or joining a walking club in their community.

Contact Information:
Mari Brick
Health Research, Inc.
One University Place
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 431-1200