The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37622

Sue Lachenmayr, MPH, CHES¹, Lucille Young-Talbot², and Sandra Ottenberg². (1) Certified Health Education Consultant, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 1 Chestnut Place, Lebanon, NJ 08833, 908/236-6178, lach@blast.net, (2) independent consultant, 5 McDermott Pass, Denville, NJ 07834

Background: Falls among older adults are rising in epidemic fashion, causing long-term disability and even death. Frail seniors are three times more likely to fall than vigorous seniors and nearly ninety percent of all hip fractures result from falls. Private and public agencies partnered to provide a health promotion program to reduce the incidence of falls among non-institutionalized older adults. Project design: Health educators developed a falls prevention/risk awareness program and trained members of their state professional organization. The state department of health and senior services supplied educational materials and announced the program to 21 Area Offices on Aging and 117 local health departments. These local agencies identified potential sites and promoted the falls prevention programs. A pharmaceutical company provided funding for the development and implementation of the program. Outcomes: Sixteen health educators provided over 50 programs to almost 2000 older adults and health professionals in 11 counties. Classes were offered at senior centers, senior clubs, local health departments, hospitals, libraries, low income housing, and assisted living facilities. Using social learning and individual/group behavioral change, seniors were encouraged to take action to identify potential hazards and their risk of falling. A 17-question evaluation tool helped participants identify individual health risk and household hazards. Nearly 85% of participants indicated they intended to increase their calcium intake; over 90% stated they planned to begin exercising, and 44% had not had a bone density test. Results shared with all partners will ensure more effective planning of future programs to encourage healthy aging.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify potential partners, funding sources and venues for statewide public health promotion initiatives.
• Describe the benefits of multi-partner collaboration for future planning efforts to promote healthy aging.

Keywords: Aging, Health Promotion

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.