Senior Centers Sites for Successful Evidence-based Programs NCOA/ASA Joint Annual Conference Chicago – March, 2007 ACTIVITY CENTERS FOR SENIORS Neighborhood Centers Inc. Houston, Harris County, Texas presented by Chris Pollet, MSW Director of Planning, Research & Evaluation

1907 – Neighborhood Centers Inc. (NCI) founded in Houston as part of the settlement house movement 1940 – opened 1 st new community center with area dedicated to senior adult day activities s – developed quality child care centers for working mothers of Baby Boom generation 1980s – contracted with AAA for senior nutrition 2000 – formed precursor of Care for Elders 2003 – with new AoA grant chose to replicate EnhanceFitness as Activity Centers for Seniors Neighborhood Centers Inc. Activity Centers for Seniors Houston, Harris County, Texas

Houston metro area one of the youngest in nation, yet age 60+ population over 384,000 (11%) –very dispersed population with isolated, underserved low- income neighborhoods, mobility barriers –city not zoned, not elder-friendly, hot and humid Care for Elders & NCOA brought new awareness of aging issues, sedentary lifestyles, marginal nutrition, chronic health conditions, surging Baby Boomers –NCI focus on upgrading 15 congregate sites to senior centers ready for NISC accreditation –Physical activity key to new focus on health and wellness Neighborhood Centers Inc. Activity Centers for Seniors Houston, Harris County, Texas

Why physical activity classes? –customer requests, amateur hours, Senior Olympics –concerns with adoption and maintenance in behavior change models for low-income, less educated minorities of color –good first step in transition to health & wellness centers Activity Centers for Seniors, 2003-present replication of EnhanceFitness – rationale: –evidence-based, solid outcome data, proven success –social group supports cohesion, reinforcement, retention –cost-effective, sustainable, easily replicated with fidelity –national growth trends, awards, references

Neighborhood Centers Inc. Activity Centers for Seniors Houston, Harris County, Texas What is Activity Centers for Seniors/ EnhanceFitness? –begins with enrollee orientation, physician approval –baseline fitness tests with four-month follow-ups –one-hour classes, 3 days/week –safely led by certified, specially trained fitness instructors –stretching/ flexibility/ balance, aerobics, strength training –no equipment – just chairs and soft ankle/ wrist weights –enough floor space for class participants Key to success is finding instructors who connect with elders, are energetic and reliable –may be found among current center staff and volunteers –Activity Centers for Seniors is paying $30 - $35/hour

Neighborhood Centers Inc. Activity Centers for Seniors Houston, Harris County, Texas Implementation Issues in Houston –rearranged some center activity schedules to accommodate classes, and still have to work around special events –smaller centers had to increase operating hours –enrollee concerns about costs, so fees waived for a trial period that has been extended –participant absences due to caring for grandkids, long visits out-of-town with family –potential language barriers did not surface –much less interest by men – they prefer weight-lifting over dance-like aerobics, and want competition, sport –long-term sustainability not yet secured

Neighborhood Centers Inc. Activity Centers for Seniors Houston, Harris County, Texas ACES Outcomes Today –400+ participants in 17 classes at 13 sites:  56% Hispanic, 27% African-American, 10% Asian  average age 74 years; 85% female –Fitness lower than average at baseline, much better at four months, now tracking national averages. –Participants have more energy, agility, fewer aches/ pains, high satisfaction, and in focus groups say:  exercise is essential to better health in old age  were not motivated to exercise on their own, needing the structure and social support of classes New AoA grant in partnership with State aging unit to disseminate ACES to 20 more sites in 3 years