Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: October 2007
Brought to you by the National Blueprint Office and the Active for Life Learning Network
October 2007
In This Issue
New Report Highlights Strategies for Home Assessment/Modification Programs
Reference Guide to Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults is Available Online
Attributes of Age-Friendly Cities Promoted in New WHO Guide
AAA Releases Study on Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Safety
Chronic Conditions have an Economic Impact on the Workplace
National Education Awareness Campaign Promotes Safe Medication Use
Upcoming Conferences and Events
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New Report Highlights Strategies for Home Assessment/Modification Programs
The Falls Free Coalition Home Safety Workgroup has released a report that spotlights 10 community-based creative programs that are designed to reduce home hazards. To learn more about the insights and ideas for implementing new, or strengthening existing home safety assessment and modification programs, download the Creative Practices in Home Safety Assessment and Modification Study report from NCOA’s Center for Healthy Aging web site.www.healthyagingprograms.org
Reference Guide to Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults is Available Online
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a new guide on specific physical activity programs for older adults, particularly those with type 2 diabetes. Community program planners can use the guide to select suitable programs for various older adult populations. Reference Guide of Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults: A Resource for Planning Intervention is available.
Attributes of Age-Friendly Cities Promoted in New WHO Guide
On October 1, the World Health Organization released its first guide on age-friendly cities, titled Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide, aimed primarily at urban planners. The Guide is based on consultations with older adults in 33 cities in 22 countries, and identifies the physical, social, and service attributes of age-friendly urban areas. A few of these attributes include:
1) Public benches that are safe and well-situated
2) Public restrooms that are accessible by people with disabilities
3) Well-lit sidewalks
4) Bus drivers who wait until older people are seated before leaving the bus stop
5) Public and commercial services and stores located in neighborhoods close to where people live, rather than concentrated outside of the city
www.who.int
AAA Releases Study on Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Safety
Elder pedestrians who attempt to cross the street by following traffic signals may not have enough time to get to the other side, AAA found in a recent study of pedestrians in six U.S. communities. The study found that older people tended to walk at least half a foot per second slower than younger pedestrians, and in many cases, even slower. What this means is that in a six-lane urban street or a four-lane street with on-street parking, an older pedestrian would still have almost a full lane to cross before the allotted time is up.
www.aaafoundation.org
Chronic Conditions have an Economic Impact on the Workplace
The incidence of chronic conditions is on the rise among U.S. workers. Just three chronic conditions—asthma, diabetes, and hypertension—cost employers an estimated $30 billion each year, according to a report by the American Hospital Association. The report indicated that nationwide, diabetes accounts for 112 days missed per 1,000 working Americans yearly, costing employers an estimated $2.8 billion.
www.aha.org
A PowerPoint presentation on major trends and patterns in diabetes for older Americans is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site.
National Education Awareness Campaign Promotes Safe Medication Use
The non-profit coalition, the National Council on Patient Information and Education, has launched a national campaign to educate older adults and caregivers about how to avoid medication misuse and recognize common side effects. Medication Use Safety Training for Seniors (MUST for Seniors), is an online, interactive program that offers materials in the form of booklets, fact sheets, videos, participant’s worksheets, print advertisements, and PowerPoint presentations. The campaign is an excellent example of a multi-media approach to educating older adults.
www.mustforseniors.org
Upcoming Conferences and Events
Gerontological Society of America 59th Annual Scientific Meeting
Nov. 16-20, 2007, San Francisco, CA
National Prevention and Health Promotion Summit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Nov. 27-29, 2007, Washington, D.C.
National Blueprint Meeting 2007
Nov. 28, 2007, Orlando, FL
ICAA Conference on Active Aging 2007
Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2007, Orlando, FL
International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence
University of Florida Feb. 20-23, 2008, St. Petersburg, FL
IHRSA 27th International Convention & Trade Show
March 5-8, 2008, San Diego, CA
ACSM Health and Fitness Summit
March 24-27, 2008, Long Beach, CA
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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 and Community Health.
Web site: www.agingblueprint.org
The Active for Life Learning Network is a forum where those interested in active living, healthy aging, and smart communities may access and provide information.