Senior Health Advocates and Peer Educators (SHAPE): A Training and Education Model for Older Adults

Preparing for an aging population requires better understanding of how to serve racial and ethnically diverse older adults. One key aspect is the promotion of positive health behaviors important for longevity. Thus, the present study addresses health advocacy among older adults by proposing a model entitled "Senior Health Advocates and Peer Educators" (SHAPE). The model is designed to encourage older adults to become advocates for their own physical and mental health. In order to test the utility of the model it was pilot tested in a sample of grandparent caregivers (n=31) in the Tampa, FL area. The results from the pilot test indicate that a health advocacy model specifically tailored to older adults is more effective than a broader model. The results also indicate that the model can be applied to culturally diverse populations of older adults that have unique health concerns and needs.