The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47029

Dana S. Carr, MPH and Molly French. Partnership for Prevention, 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036, 202-833-0009, dcarr@prevent.org

Creating Communities for Active Aging is a practical guide for diverse partners, including communities, governments, and businesses, to use in developing a strategic plan to promote walking and biking among older adults. Regular, moderate exercise by older adults can help delay or prevent the onset of disabilities, reduce risk of falls and injuries, relieve depression, and increase mental acuity. Yet, of all age groups, older adults are least likely to exercise regularly. Using the guide, communities can assess personal and environmental barriers for physical activity and opportunities for facilitating mobility for older adults. Communities can develop strategies to enhance available assets to encourage active lifestyles. A range of strategies is provided, from health education approaches to community design policies. By combining health education with structural changes in the neighborhood, a community increases the likelihood of raising physical activity levels. Examples of communities who have successfully applied these methods will be provided, including a discussion of how different partners contributed, as well as effective evaluation methods for measuring behavioral outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• · Discuss the confluence of safety and health issues in regards to older walkers and cyclists.
• · Identify seven strategies for engaging communities and older adults in increased walking and biking, and provide examples of each.
• · Create and apply evaluation measures to reducing personal and environmental barriers to physical activity among older adults.
• · Analyze selected community examples, including methods used to build active coalitions and secure funding.
• · Develop appropriate evaluation strategies for measuring increases in walking and biking by older adults.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Aging

Related Web page: www.prevent.org/activeaging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.