Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: September 2005

In This Issue

Active Aging Week: Sept. 26-Oct. 1
World Osteoporosis Day: Oct. 20
New N4A Initiative on Livable Communities for Older Adults
ACPM Position Statement on Physical Activity Counseling
ICAA Age-Friendly Personal Trainer Checklist
Study Shows Increase in Number of Obese Nursing Home Residents

________________________________________________

Active Aging Week
During the national observance of Active Aging Week, Sept. 26-Oct. 1, hundreds of fitness facilities will offer older adults free fitness classes and educational sessions. The observance aims to increase awareness of the importance of physical activity for older adults. Campaign information is available on the International Council on Active Aging website. Also see the fact sheet, “29 Tips to Help You Get Physical without Getting Injured,” and other materials related to physical activity and aging.

World Osteoporosis Day
The World Osteoporosis Day on Oct. 20, 2005 joins organizations worldwide in helping to raise awareness about the important role that physical activity plays in building peak bone mass and in maintaining bone health. In the United States, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is planning a “Virtual Fitness Day” to encourage individuals to take personal responsibility in building strong bones for life. Registration information is available on the NOF website.
www.nof.org

New Initiative on Livable Communities for Older Adults
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) has announced its new initiative, “The Maturing of America: Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population,” that will help cities and counties better meet the needs of an aging population. In the first phase of the project beginning in November, n4a and partner organizations will produce a survey for 10,000 local governments to determine whether cities and towns promote sound nutrition and physical activity, offer opportunities for civic engagement, and many other factors that influence healthy aging. The project is funded by MetLife Foundation.

ACPM Position Statement on Physical Activity Counseling
The American College of Preventive Medicine maintains that primary care providers should counsel patients about physical activity during routine patient visits. The organization suggests that interventions of only two to four minutes can be effective. ACPM also recommends that health care providers should receive training in behavioral counseling techniques that emphasize collaboration between the patient and provider.

ICAA Age-Friendly Personal Trainer Checklist
Since there are so many different degrees and certifications that personal trainers may possess, it can be difficult for older adults to choose a personal trainer for their individual needs. A trainer’s experience, education, personality, and business practices are all considerations in the selection process. The ICAA Personal Trainer Checklist can be used to evaluate a trainer’s credentials.

Study Shows Increase in Number of Obese Nursing Home Residents
Researchers at Brown Medical School studied the records of 850,000 residents admitted to more than 1,600 nursing homes between 1992 and 2002 to learn if the obesity epidemic has spread to nursing homes. They found that the obesity rate increased from 15 percent to 25 percent in that decade. Since obese residents are likely to have more health problems and more difficulty with activities of daily living than normal weight residents, this study questioned whether nursing homes are prepared to care for obese patients. Additional staff may be needed and nursing homes may also need to install special equipment such as bath and shower chairs, walkers, and wheelchairs designed to support heavier adults. The study was published in the August 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

________________________________________________

The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the Blueprint Partnership Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology.
Website: www.agingblueprint.org