Working with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Partnership for Prevention has developed a strategic plan outlining a multi-year initiative that states, communities, and businesses can use in promoting walking and biking among older adults. The proportion of older adults in our population is steadily increasing, and in ten years, America’s 75 million baby-boomers will begin to turn 65, creating substantial prospects and challenges for the nation. Regular, moderate exercise by older adults can help delay or prevent the onset of disabilities, reduce the risk of falls and fractures, improve mood and relieve depression, increase mental acuity, and perhaps increase life expectancy. However, many older Americans are not engaging in sufficient physical activity to reap these benefits. The model strategic plan complements the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Agenda for the Transportation Needs of an Aging Society. In addition, Partnership has developed a catalog of state, local, and private policies aimed at maintaining or increasing mobility and physical activity among older adults. The catalog’s focus is on addressing current barriers to physical activity in this age group—such as a lack of safe, accessible walking and biking paths—and on innovative current practices. These include options for increasing walking and biking within an existing community infrastructure, such as greenways; land-use and transportation planning policies to ensure new and redeveloped communities are pedestrian- and bike-friendly; education policies to motivate more adults to walk and bike; and traffic enforcement policies to ensure a safe environment for physical activity.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1.) Discuss how to use the model strategic plan to increase opportunities for and remove barriers to physical activity among older adults. 2.) List several examples of policy interventions that increase safe mobility and physical activity for older adults.
Keywords: Aging, Physical Activity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.