Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: December 2007

Brought to you by the National Blueprint Office and the Active for Life Learning Network

In This Issue

Active Recreation is Increasingly in Demand
ICAA Functional U Publication Provides Articles on Blueprints for Exercise Programs, Motivation
CDC Releases Reference Guide of Physical Activity Programs
NIA Toolkit Offers Training Curriculum to Help Older Adults Find Online Health Information
Census Bureau has New Data on Nursing Home Residents
Resource: Georgia Guidebook for Pedestrian Planning
Study: Fitness is Linked to Longer Life
Upcoming Conferences and Events

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Active Recreation is Increasingly in Demand
Active pursuits, such as hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting, are becoming a popular trend among baby boomers, according to a lifestyle interest survey conducted by Del Webb. Although swimming, golf, and bowling were ranked higher than sports and outdoor activities by current and prospective residents of Del communities, adventure activities hang gliding, parasailing, and parachuting were ranked as “extremely important” as a lifestyle offering in retirement communities by 6 percent of survey respondents. Swimming was ranked as the most important activity by 55 percent, yet fishing and canoeing/rafting were important to 30 percent and 26 percent respectively. A majority of respondents (77 percent) said they exercise three times per week.

ICAA Functional U Publication Provides Articles on Blueprints for Exercise Programs, Motivation
The latest issue of the ICAA Functional U (Nov/Dec 2007) provides an article on designing safe and effective exercise classes for older adults, including suggestions on safety, class formats, focusing on various dimensions of wellness, and teaching skills. This issue also contains an article on motivating older adults to become physically active, written by Barbara Resnick.

CDC Releases Reference Guide of Physical Activity Programs
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference guide provides program descriptions and contact information for physical activity programs for older adults.
www.healthyagingprograms.org

NIA Toolkit Offers Training Curriculum to Help Older Adults Find Online Health Information
Older adults who don’t use computers have less access to medical health information than those who go online. National Institute on Aging developed a free training curriculum for those who teach and work with older adults. Instructors at public libraries, senior centers, community colleges, and other sites can use the “Toolkit for Trainers” to teach older adults how to find accurate, up-to-date consumer health information.
nihseniorhealth.gov/toolkit

Census Bureau has New Data on Nursing Home Residents
After nearly three decades, the first social and economic characteristic profiles of people living in nursing homes was released this fall. They found that nearly three in four residents of nursing homes were age 75 or older. The population was disproportionately female. Women comprised nearly half of the total population, but were nearly 70 percent in nursing homes. The population living in nursing facilities was more likely to be white than black or Hispanic.

Resource: Georgia Guidebook for Pedestrian Planning
The Guidebook is used to help assist municipalities, counties, regional entities, and other public and private entities in safe pedestrian planning. Chapters include planning and prioritizing projects, pedestrian facility funding, pedestrian laws, pedestrian safety and education, and land use and zoning policies.

Fitness is Linked to Longer Life
A new study at the University of South Carolina found that older adult study participants who were physically fit were more than 50 percent less likely to die than those who were unfit—even if they were thin. The people who died during the 12-year study were older, had lower fitness levels, and had more cardiovascular risk factors. (Source: Medline Plus)

Upcoming Conferences and Events

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
Feb. 7-9, 2008, Washington, D.C.

International Stroke Conference 2008
Feb. 20-22, 2008, New Orleans, LA
American Heart Association

International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence
Feb. 20-23, 2008, St. Petersburg, FL
University of Florida

IHRSA 27th International Convention & Trade Show
March 5-8, 2008, San Diego, CA
International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association

American College of Sports Medicine Health & Fitness Summit
March 24-27, 2008, Long Beach, CA

Joint Conference of NCOA, ASA
March 27-30, 2008, Washington, D.C.
National Council on Aging & American Society on Aging

American Occupational Therapy Association Conference
April 10-13, 2008, Long Beach, CA

2008 American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting
April 30-May 4, 2008, Washington, D.C.

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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.