Michigan Senior Center Recognized with “Prescription for Better Health Award” from the National Council on Aging and CVS/pharmacy
Traverse City Senior Center, MI is honored for their dedication to promoting a healthy lifestyle for seniors in their community. Five other centers also named award recipients.
Las Vegas, Nev. – March 17, 2009 – At the Aging in America Conference today in Las Vegas, Nevada, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and CVS/pharmacy announced the recipients of its Prescription for Better Health Award, after a nationwide competition for programs that provide seniors in their communities with access to activities and education that promote healthy lifestyles.
Traverse City Senior Center of Traverse City, Mich., was selected as the top honoree in recognition of its program ‘The Amazing Race,’ which is a 16-week course designed to empower seniors to make healthy lifestyle choices while also encouraging them to take advantage of resources in their hometown. Each week seniors are given a “challenge” at a local business or agency that relates to wellness or healthy living, such as bowling, miniature golfing and mall walking. For the less active participants there is a “detour” that includes activities like having their blood pressure taken and calculating the number of calories in a certain food.
“It’s very rewarding that NCOA and CVS/pharmacy recognize senior centers like ours as we all strive to improve the health of seniors in our communities,” said Lori Wells, director of Traverse City Senior Center. “The award affords a unique opportunity to share our program with other senior centers and encourages them to implement a program similar to ‘The Amazing Race.’”
“Organizations like Traverse City Senior Center are doing exceptional work that encourages seniors to make a positive impact on their health and wellness,” said Donna Phillips, Vice President for Membership of the NCOA. “We are thrilled by the large response to the Prescription for Better Health Award each year and were impressed with the remarkable programs that have been implemented at senior centers across the country. We are pleased to recognize a program such as ‘The Amazing Race,’ which can serve as a model to many other centers.”
The five honorable mentions include:
- Capital Senior Center of Columbia, South Carolina
- East Providence Senior Activity Center of East Providence, Rhode Island
- Friendship Circle Senior Center of Darby, Pennsylvania
- Newton Senior Center of Newtonville, Massachusetts
- Resources for Seniors, Inc. of Wake County, North Carolina
The Prescription for Better Health Award recipients were chosen for the strength of their healthy lifestyle programs, positively impacting the health of seniors in their community, while also designing programs that could be easily implemented at other senior centers across the country.
“The Prescription for Better Health Award honors senior centers that are committed to helping individuals make healthy lifestyle choices and improving the quality of life,” said Rob Price, senior vice president, retail advertising and marketing of CVS/pharmacy. “We were inspired by the variety of programs. It was a challenge to select just one as the winner, but we’re delighted to see all of these organizations honored for their hard work and dedication to the senior community.”
Programs receiving honorable mention include:
Capital Senior Center (Columbia, S.C.) – The “Palmetto Health (PH) Lifestyle University” program is a three month course designed to empower seniors to overcome barriers, stay physically fit and socially engaged. The course consists of various types of education and group discussion, such as hypertension and other chronic diseases, tips from a local doctor on reducing stress, healthy eating and introduction to physical activity. Additionally, senior participants are encouraged to become instructors, or “Community Health Advisors” and work with the coordinator on conducting the program.
East Providence Senior Activity Center (East Providence, R.I.) – The “Nutrition Weight Loss” program includes weigh-ins, lectures and the ability to eat regular food. A key component to the program is the empowerment of participants in designing the lecture series. At the end of the program seniors receive impact evaluations, collective net weight loss for the group and a satisfaction survey.
Friendship Circle Senior Center (Darby, Pa.) – The “Passport to Health” program is a customized, collaborative, evidence-based program encouraging older adults to increase their daily activity, gain valuable knowledge about nutrition and live a healthier lifestyle. In keeping with the “passport” theme, during the 13-week semester-long program, participants take an imaginary trip to historical sites across the United States. Along the way these older adults “earn miles” that can be redeemed for prizes as they attend health education lectures (fuel stops) or engage in physical activities (tune ups).
Newton Senior Center (Newtonville, Mass.) – The “Fit and Balance Brain” (FABB) program combines physical fitness with brain challenge. Seniors work with volunteer college students studying physical therapy to guide them in playing Nintendo Wii. The seniors play a variety of interactive sports games as well as use the Wii Fit component to focus on specific muscle groups and balance improvement. In addition to the physical component of the program, the seniors are also able to develop relationships with local college students.
Resources for Seniors, Inc. (Wake County, N.C.) – The “Fit & Strong” program blends a cardiovascular, strength and flexibility program with a group problem-solving curriculum. The program is designed to help manage the symptoms of arthritis, develop confidence in the ability to exercise safely with arthritis and promote a commitment to lifestyle change. The program is 8-weeks long and meets three days a week for 90-minute sessions that include an education and discussion component. Before the end of the 8-week program, participants meet with the instructor to develop an individualized exercise contract that fosters ongoing maintenance of physical activity.
To view the winning programs, learn more about how the programs can be implemented in other locations, and for an upcoming posting of webinar dates and times, please visit: www.ncoa.org.
About the National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging is a non-profit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans – especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged – and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together non-profit organizations, businesses and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently and remain active in their communities. For more information, visit www.ncoa.org.
About CVS/pharmacy
CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's largest retail pharmacy. The Company operates more than 6,900 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to providing expert care and innovative solutions in pharmacy and health care that are effective and easy for our customers, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at www.cvscaremark.com.
Carolyn Castel Scott L. Parkin Brett Cerf
CVS/pharmacy National Council on Aging Weber Shandwick
(401) 770-5717 (202) 479-6975 (617) 520-7128
ccastel@cvs.com scott.parkin@ncoa.org elisabeth.cerf@webershandwick.com
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