Active Options for Aging Americans: A web-based tool to connect older adults with community-based physical activity programs

The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.), and the CDC's Healthy Aging Research Network (HAN) are helping states and communities conduct a web-based “census” of physical activity programs for older adults. This work is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various local organizations. The programs of specific interest are those offered by organizations– such as senior centers, community centers, senior housing, fitness facilities and many others. The key purposes of this project, Active Options for Aging Americans (Active Options), is to improve accessibility to senior-friendly physical activity programming by identifying existing programs, connecting older adults with those programs, and recognizing gaps in programming availability for older adults.

The census utilizes a web-based program profile that was adapted from a paper survey created and conducted by the HAN. When physical activity program providers complete the program profile, the information is entered into an online searchable database. When a query for a zip code area is performed, a list of the programs available in that area is produced, including the types of programs that are offered, costs of programs, accessibility to public transportation, and more. Older adults, community aging services providers, health care professionals, policy makers, I&R/A specialists, caregivers, and many others can visit the Active Options website and easily identify physical activity programs in their communities, as well as where the gaps in programming exist.