Retirement News : Seniors : Coble Encourages Physical Activity for Moore County Seniors

Coble Encourages Physical Activity for Moore County Seniors

Date Added: 05-06-2005

In May, as Older Americans Month was celebrated, U.S. Congressman Howard Coble recognized local Active for Life program graduates.

In recognition of the local event, held Saturday, May 14, the graduates went on a mile walk through the village of Pinehurst.

In addition to acknowledging the graduates, Coble challenged Moore County governmental officials to host an Active for Life program in their community. Attending the event were Foxfire Village Mayor Edward Phillips, Carthage Commissioner Sherwood Lapping and Pinehurst Village Manager Andy Wilkison.

The Active for Life program, funded by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Found-ation, works with nine community-based organizations in 12 communities nationwide to test programs designed to help seniors get and stay moving.

“The programs are not exercise classes,” said Lisa Hartsock, administrative director, First-Health Community Health Services. “They are programs designed to help people make changes in their health behavior by learning some common sense measures such as goal-setting, recognizing and dealing with barriers, and finding a physical activity they enjoy.”

Coble, a Greensboro Republ-ican who represents Moore County, shared his own experience with the local Active for Life graduates, pointing out that he plays tennis one to two times a week and that working on Capitol Hill requires daily walking.

A recent telephone survey by the American Public Health Association found that 78 percent of Americans 55 and older understand that diet and exercise are important to maintain good health. Despite this knowledge, almost 64 percent of older adults do not meet the Surgeon General’s recommendations for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.

“What this means is that sedentary older Americans are putting themselves at increased risk of chronic illness, disability and loss of independence,” Hartsock said. “We know that the benefits of regular physical activity are considerable. Physical activity helps to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles and joints; reduces falls among the elderly; decreases symptoms of anxiety and depression; and can lessen the need for hospitalizations, physician visits and medications.

“For the aging population, physical activity can help people maintain independent living and enhance their overall quality of life. Research has shown that even among frail and very old adults physical activity can improve mobility and functioning.”

Active for Life is also involved in research to better understand how to develop and deliver health messages to older adults.

“Our research tells us that the majority of older adults know that physical activity is important to their health,” Hartsock said. “What we are trying to understand is how to develop messages that motivate individuals from knowing and thinking about being active to actually becoming active.

“We have already begun to understand that there are multiple issues that need to be considered when working with older adults through community programs. The most important is that one size does not fit all. Older people are no different from other age groups in that they are diverse in what they like to do and how they like to do things.

“For some, a structured exercise class is important and the socialization of that class is critical. Many people are motivated by seeing their friends and visiting before or after the class. For other people, exercise as a solitary activity provides relaxation and time to think and to meditate.”

For More Information: http://www.thepilot.com/news/060505coble.html