(Boston, Mass)—Hebrew SeniorLife has received a $105,000 grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation for the expansion and implementation of three evidence-based healthy aging programs designed to disseminate preventive health-related information to seniors in the community.
"This expansion will educate more than 500 more seniors on nutrition, exercise and falls prevention, helping to maintain their overall health and independence," says Robert Schreiber, M.D., HSL's physician-in-chief. "The prevention education will additionally reflect a cost-effective method of avoiding hospitalizations and treatments for diseases and disabilities."
Since 2004, HSL has trained more than 200 leaders in the implementation of three evidenced-based healthy aging programs—on proper nutrition, exercise and falls—at 30 community organizations. The Tufts grant will enable HSL to leverage its training experience and administrative support to educate 80 more leaders using a "train-the-trainer" model and coordinate program implementation at 50 senior centers and housing sites in Worcester, Burlington, Cambridge, Lawrence and Brockton, among other communities.
In addition, HSL will utilize its partnership with Harvard's Multi-Cultural Coalition on Aging, a network of community leaders from culturally diverse neighborhoods, to recruit and retain program participants from Thai, Vietnamese, Hispanic and other minority senior populations.
"This grant establishes us as a training center of excellence and also provides funding for a culturally competent translation of one or more of these programs," says Jennifer Raymond, director of evidence-based programs at HSL.
Healthy Eating for Successful Living in Older AdultsTM is a program for seniors who want to learn more about nutrition and how lifestyle changes can promote better health. A Matter of Balance is specifically designed to reduce the fear of falling, stop the cycle of falling, and increase activity levels among community-dwelling older adults. Fit For Your LifeTM is a research-based program developed by HSL's Institute for Aging Research as a safe, effective exercise option for frail elders.
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is committed to maximizing the quality of life of seniors through an integrated system of housing, health care, research and teaching programs.