Purdue News
Purdue News
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May is Older American's Month May 11, 2004 Coalition launches first public event for older adultsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University health researchers are helping older adults to take their first steps toward a healthy lifestyle during the Living Well After 50 Coalition's first public event. The "Movement" Movement will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 19 at James F. Riehle Plaza, 200 N. Second St. The free event will feature informational displays about physical activity and a walk to the Wabash Heritage Trail Lafayette and West Lafayette entrances. Participants also will be able to talk with experts on senior fitness. Some downtown merchants will be offering specials to people over the age of 50, and CityBus will be offering free trolley rides. Riverboat Ramblers Dixieland Band will provide live music, and people are encouraged to bring a brown-bag lunch. Event co-hosts are the Downtown Business Center and the Living Well After 50 Coalition. "It's never too late to begin exercising for anyone, and that includes people who are 50 years and older," says Roseann Lyle, professor of health and kinesiology and a founding member of the coalition. "People of all ages need to engage in physical activity to preserve their quality of life as Americans continue to live longer." The National Council on Aging estimates that the number of people older than 65 will double from 35.3 million to nearly 70 million by 2030. As a result of people living longer, these individuals, especially those who are sedentary, are more susceptible to health complications, Lyle says. The coalition, which has been working for more than two years on assessing the community's fitness needs and establishing local partnerships between businesses and organizations, was created by Purdue researchers who are taking a hands-on approach to fight chronic disease and obesity by improving the utilization of local resources. About a dozen professors from the departments of Health and Kinesiology, Nursing, and Foods and Nutrition are collaborating on the coalition along with community leaders. In 2001 the "National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 and Older" identified obstacles to engaging in an active lifestyle, such as accessibility of community resources. More than 50 national physical activity groups contributed to writing the national blueprint. Lyle, who also is chair of the Strategic Health Initiative on Aging for the American College of Sports Medicine, and other Purdue researchers teamed with the Area IV Agency on Aging, Community Action Programs Inc., the Tippecanoe County Council on Aging and several other advocates for older adults to organize a local initiative based on the national report. This summer the coalition will continue to review the results of its community-needs assessment and plan for a fall 2004 conference that will bring together the coalition's partner organizations to collaborate on future initiatives to promote physical activity. Writer: Amy Patterson-Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu Source: Roseann Lyle, (765) 494-3158, rlyle@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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