Coffee, tea or better living?: A cafe model for older adult health promotion

Connecting older adults with services that support healthy aging remains a national public health concern. Research among older adults suggests behavioral and social influences that increase engagement lead to successful aging in the community and improved chronic disease management. This poster will describe a unique café model created by a nonprofit older adult service agency in the Chicago area, which promotes quality of life in older adults, as well as social/community engagement and access to resources. Based on earlier assessments, three cafés were launched in neighborhoods with limited older adult services. The cafes provide a non-threatening, ageless environment, like a restaurant. While attraction for community members of all ages is the reasonably priced food, the setting is an excellent venue for health promotion programs and social engagement activities. For example, current programs include a variety of wellness services targeted for adults 55 years and older such as: fitness classes, computer classes, arts and crafts, various support groups, educational lectures, and health screenings. The cafes conduct annual, standardized quality of life and satisfaction surveys which indicate they successfully meet customers' expectations, positively impact health, and contribute to quality of life. For example, 72.3% of customers reported that as a result of participating in café programs over the past six months, their overall health has improved; 76.4% reported improved healthy behaviors; and 71.6% reported increased physical activity. Additional results of the surveys will be presented. The café model is adaptable to a variety of settings and approaches for replication will be discussed.