New Vitality: Health Promotion for Successful Aging

Isolation and various chronic health conditions plague elderly populations.  To address these community needs, Chilton Medical Center [Pompton Plains, NJ] has successfully implemented a health and wellness program called “New Vitality” targeting the 50+ adult community in this suburban New Jersey County. “New Vitality” is designed to look at the person as a whole, and offers different courses addressing the physical, emotional, mental, social and educational needs (e.g. medical lectures on chronic diseases, illnesses and preventive care; exercise and wellness classes; support groups; intellectual growth classes; as well as health screenings).  The program currently has approximately 38,000 50+ members who receive program/educational mailings three times a year; 19,984 of them are active (attending at least one program a year).  In order to be successful, "New Vitality” partners with community and corporate organizations to host programs and engage seniors. 

In 2003 the Society on Aging in New Jersey granted New Vitality the Distinguished Achievement Award for Best Newly Developed Program.  The program has also been awarded for the following: The Department of Health and Senior Services - Model Health Promotion Programs for New Jersey Seniors in 2007 and in 2009- Best Practices in Health/Wellness and Aging by National Council on Aging.

Next steps include further measurement of our program and the impact on health status and implementation of program throughout Atlantic Health System.