Recorded presentation

Kathleen A Loughrey, Administration on Aging, 2 Sparrow Valley Court, Montgomery Village, MD 20886, 202-357-0142, klough@verizon.net

At this session, Ms. Loughrey, U.S. Administration on Aging representative, will describe how AoA is fulfilling its commitment to increasing the number of older Americans who stay active and healthy. Through the You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging outreach campaign, AoA plans to reach these goals by mobilizing communities to create awareness and make programs available to help older Americans improve their nutrition and increase their physical activity. The You Can! campaign is closely aligned with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Steps to a HealthierUS initiative. Also discussed will be the rationale for the AoA focus on linking these two lifestyle choices together. Making changes in both nutrition and physical activity are vital to preventing and treating many of the leading chronic diseases among older Americans. Campaign messages and activities are designed for a target audience of older Americans who are ready to make nutrition and physical activity changes with a little help. Ms. Loughrey will discuss ways that AoA and key national partners are supporting the unique role that community organizations have to play in helping older adults make positive lifestyle choices. AoA is working with organizations receiving mini-grants. It is providing community partners with tools to conduct outreach, educational materials, and information about available programs. Ms. Loughrey also will describe how community organizations can participate in this campaign.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify one or more ways to build or expand nutrition and physical activity programs locally;
• Recognize the link between nutrition and physical activity in promoting health and in creating lifestyle changes among older adults
• Assess the applicability of the You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging outreach campaign to their organization’s goals, objectives, and strategies.

Keywords: Disease Prevention, Aging

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.

Recorded presentation