Promote Healthy Aging
As part of our goal to improve the health and quality of life for seniors and adults with disabilities,
Aging & Disability Services has embarked on a number of Healthy Aging initiatives with our community partners.
These efforts include improving access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity.
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) highlighted the health promotion efforts of ADS in the following report:
Eat Well
Community Meals
Congregate meal programs help meet the dietary needs of adults 60 years and older by providing nutritionally sound meals in a group setting. Nutrition education and social and fitness activities are also provided.
- List of ADS funded Congregate Meal Sites
- Materials for 2008 Senior Nutrition Program RFI - includes community input; Science to Policy research; best practices; and program trends.
- Community Based Nutrition Services: Policy to Practice Sept. 2012. Presentation by Jean Lloyd, AoA National Nutritionist. Includes relationship of nutrition to health and functionality, and demographic and health data for nutrition program participants.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
The Farm to Table Partnership will increase access to and affordability of fresh local produce for senior meal and childcare programs by directly connecting farmers and meal programs to develop cooperative purchasing models. The project is funded by Public Health of Seattle-King County through a federal stimulus grant, Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW).
- Project Evaluation: Policy, System and Environment Changes, January 2012, by Laurie Ringaert, PHSKC
- From Farm to Table: Connecting Farmers with Senior Meal and Childcare Programs, Seniors Digest, May 2011
- Farm to Table Training Video, August 2011. Filmed at the Sno-Valley Senior Center in Carnation, and produced by WA State Dept. of Agriculture Farm to Schools Program in collaboration with Senior Services.
- Puget Sound Food Network Blog
- CPPW Public Health King County
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) enhances access to fresh fruits and vegetables for seniors and supports local sustainable agriculture. Baskets of fresh produce are delivered to homebound seniors and include newsletters with information about unfamiliar foods, recipes, & information about the farmers. Each summer, one-time Market vouchers are provided to 2,000 low-income seniors.
- SFMNP Voucher/Check Distribution Program
The program provides checks for eligible seniors to redeem at Farmers Markets throughout King County. Information on the application process for the the 2011 season will be available later this spring. - SFMNP Survey Results
Results of 2003 survey distributed to farmer's, market managers, and senior consumers. - SFMNP Evaluation
Detailed evaluation of market basket pilot project. - Research articles on the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Pilot Program published in January 2004 issue of Preventing Chronic Disase, Centers for Disease Control:
- WSU Nutrition Education: Farmers Market Nutrition Programs
Be Active
- Encore: Seattle-King County Walking Events for People Age 50+ Get moving, stay connected, and make a difference! www.seattle.gov/walking includes links to local walks and hikes, neighborhood walking maps, and volunteer opportunities like shelter dog walking as well as a selection of 5Ks and 10Ks by month. The Encore Web portal also provides older adults with access to hundreds of resources under the Health & Fitness heading.
- Enhance Fitness A low cost evidence based exercise program that focuses on strength, balance, aerobics, and flexibility. A program of Project Enhance.
- Sound Steps A volunteer supported walking program designed to get senior adults moving and gaining the health benefits of regular exercise.
- Neighborhood Quality of Life Study for Seniors (NQLS) A research project funded by the National Institutes of Health to examine the relation between one's neighborhood, quality of life, health, and physical activity.