Lessons learned and best practices approach to health promotion and creation of healthy aging communities in broward county, Florida

The YMCA of Broward County, under the umbrella of the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative of South Florida is creating healthy aging communities in collaboration with over 65 community partners, by delivering culturally sensitive, evidence-based programs to older adults through peer led education and fitness instruction in Broward County.

The evidence-based program portfolio of the Y includes Diabetes Self-Management, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Matter of Balance and EnhanceFitness® which focus on chronic disease management, self-care and physical activity for successful aging. Based on lessons learned, the Y employs lay leaders identified from program participants and community members. Working with a “train the trainers” strategy ensures program sustainability and creates opportunities for healthy aging communities. Innovative collaborations allow the Y to convene a wide range of multi-sector partners making programs more widely accessible. The Y targets areas of racial and ethnic health disparities deepening the impact of engagement and empowerment. Referral systems and face-to-face outreach efforts using culturally appropriate community health workers at non-traditional resources (i.e. hair salons and barber shops) ensure effective health promotion.

The Y has reached 4,500 seniors at over 50 multi-sector sites with the help of over 50 lay leaders in the past three years. Our best practice approach to health promotion advances opportunities for communities to take ownership of their health and address health disparities at the grassroots level.

Utilizing culturally sensitive lay leaders, building a multi-sector partnership and establishing community buy-in has been critical in fostering healthy aging communities across all racial, social economic and educational levels.