Executive Summary
This program is for the older adult who is ready to walk their way into a more heart conscious life.
About us
Walking is great way to reduce the potential for heart disease. This walking program will educate you on how to achieve better heart health by professionals who work exclusively with seniors.
TRUST THE PROCESS
THE INVESTMENT THE PLANNED WORK THE RESULTS
Are you ready to be your best version of you?
Professionals will teach you the reasons why cardiovascular disease is prominant in older adults and how you can slow down the potential or prevent it.
Improved heart health and overall fitness through our walking program!
Meet our Planning Committee
Sharon Stevens - Program Creator
Linda Dorsey - Community Engagement Coordinator/Sarcoidosis Warrior
Hon. Owusu Anane - Ward 10 Common Council Member
Olivia Frempong - Influencer/Digital Creator/Revelation Wellness
Amy Young - Executive Director of the Capital Region Chamber - American Heart Association
Charlie Sue Graham - Retired Registered Nurse
Dr. Joseph Isgro, PA-C - Ortho NY
Jennifer Smith - Level 3 Physical Therapist, Trinity Health, Albany
Ashley Willson, Register Dietician
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
PRECEDE-PROCEED Model
Social Assessment (Phase 1)
Older adults who have a sedentary lifestyle experience many significant quality of life issues such as obesity, whcih can lead to cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. Musculoskeletal movement cam be impeded and limited. Bone density can suffer. Back, hip, and knee joints become stiff and difficult to move. This will also increase the risk of unsteadiness and falling, due to core muscles not being used. Personal activities such as bathing, dressing, performing oral hygiene, cooking, and toileting may become more challenging. Having less face-to-face social interactions may lead to depression and reduced self-esteem.
Epidemiological Assessment (Phase 2)
The top three health concerns facing older adults with sedentary lifestyles are:
1. Cardiovascular Disease - "The incidence of CVD was reported to be 77.2% in males and 78.2% in females, from ages 60-79 years". Incidence of CVD was reported to be 89.3% in males, and 91.8% in females, in adults above 80 years of age".
2. Chronic Pain - "The estimated prevalence of chronic pain is as high as 25%-50% in community-dwelling elders, reaching up to 80% in institutionalized individuals".
3. Muscle Weakness - "As we age, our muscle-building hormones gradually decrease, and our ability to use proteins to build muscle decreases". "Most adults, especially those who don't exercise regularly, can lose 3% to 5% of total muscle mass every decade". "Older adults who lose muscle also risk other potentially fatal disease conditions".
Educational and Ecological Assessment (Phase 3)
Factors that influence behavior change or impact the environment are:
Predisposing factors - Being undereducated on how inactivity affects the body. Being born with medical issues that limit movement. A person's general outlook on life; if they are positive thinking and self-reliant versus dismal and dependent. Cultural beliefs can also be influential. Someone who has formed a habit (ie. smoking) is made aware they are at high risk of lung cancer; they now can quit cold turkey.
Enabling factors - Other people performing tasks that you could do for yourself. Using a dishwasher instead of hand washing.People who have others discourage rather than encourage them.
Lack of movement may be due to a stairwell not being adequately lit or not in a high traffic area. The stairs may not have a handrail on both sides or non-skid surfaces on the steps. Neighborhood streets may lack sidewalks or level pavement. Living arrangements may not have an accessible bathroom or adaptive equipment to assist with reaching, bathing, to complete personal care needs. Using a wheelchair more often than necessary instead of a walker or cane to strengthen your core and bones.
Reinforcing factors - Belonging to a heart healthy support group, wellness center, senior citizen group, or other organization which focuses on health and wellness management. Voluteering with a community organization that offers education or events on cardiovascular disease. Engaging in community walks, running, or blood drives. Hosting meet-ups with special speakers sharing their own experiences and how they were able to modify their behavior.
Our Mission, Goals, and Objectives
Our Mission - Walking away from cardiovascular disease with a heart to choose to move.
Our Goals - Commit to engaging in moderate movement each week. Create a healthy and sustainable nutrition plan.
Our Objectives for movement - Engage in 3 sets of 10 sit-to-stand exercises during a 60-minute period of prolonged sitting, each day. Engage in an outdoor walk at a moderate pace, for up to 30 minutes, daily. Engage in alternating seated marches while watching morning and/or evening televsion during commercials, 2 sets of 20.
Our objectives for nutrition - Limit processed foods to three meals a week. Forgo sugary snacks and drinks after 6pm, five days a week. Drink half of your weight in water, daily.
Our Intervention Program
Health Belief Model: Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits, Cues to Action, and Self-Efficacy.
Intervention Strategies:
1. Education - Wellness Center lunchtime workshops; Zoom seminars.
2. Behavioral Modification - Goal Setting; Self-Monitoring
3. Environmental Change - Alarm induced movement; low-salt food/drink options, access to loaner supplies such as a fitness watch. Pre-paid bus pass to wellness center.
4. Community Engagement - Peer Monitoring. Walking Group.
Objective #1: By the end of a twelve-week period, 24 previously sedentary older adults will be actively engaged in a moderate cardiovascular exercise program.
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Creator
Heart 2 Heart Lesson (READY!) Education on healthy blood pressure and pulse readings, stages of hypertension, symptoms of early and advanced heart disease. (Implement June 2026)
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Creator/Physical Therapy staff and interns
Prep For Success (SET!): Proper use of modalitiies (Fitness watch; learn breathing exercises, pre/post stretching techniques and hydration options. (Implement July 2026)
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Creator/Walking Coach
Your Race, Your Pace (GO!): Introduction to interval walking. Learn about proper footwear, foot placement and walking techniques. Discussion on treadmill versus pavement surface usage. (Implement August 2026)
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Creator and Community Stakeholders
Each One, Teach One: Join our weekly community guest speakers as they spread the word on the importance of cardiac care. Upcoming community events and activities will be shared along with opportunities for you to volunteer. There will be a name draw at the close of each event for a gift of gratitude. You must be present to win. (Implement August 2026)
Objective #2: By the end of a twelve-week period, 24 (or more) of previously sedentary older adults will be able to show imporved low sodium food and drink choices, for 2 meals a day, 5 days a week.
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Dietician
Heart(y) & Healthy Meal Choices Lesson: Learn the definition of sodium and how it negatively effects your body. A listing of low, koderate, and high foods/drinks in sodium will be distributed. (Implement September 2026)
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Creator
Food Journaling: Participants will learn how to maintain a food log (journal). How to use the Sodium Tracher app and the My Salt Log app will be discussed. (Implement October 2026)
Activity: Responsible Person - Program Creator
Peer Mentoring: This final section will form partnerships with past program participants who have completed a successful year. Weekly in person check-ins will be established. Phone or other media may be used if unable to meet in person. (Implement November 2026)
Part 1: Resource Identification
Personnel:
Health Educator Intern – Provides an overview of the program, background information on cardiac health and issues that can arise from being sedentary. They will assist therapy staff with the twelve-week training.
Physical Therapist Intern - Give training on proper stretching techniques, breathing exercises, hydration options, information on the Fit Bit watch and app. Guest speak on the topic of sedentary behavior and cardiac care.
Walking Coach – Provide an overview on interval walking, how to choose appropriate footwear, teach walking technique and foot placement to guard against injury, Guest speak on the topic of sedentary behavior and cardiac care.
Wellness Center Dietitian Intern - Give an overview of how sodium can both benefit and negatively affect the body, review what foods and drinks are the recommended. Guest speak on the topic of sedentary behavior and cardiac care.
Wellness Center Pulmonary Registered Nursing Student Intern – Assist with education on hypertension, hands on training on using a blood pressure cuff and interpreting results. Offer consultation as needed, over the course of the twelve-week training sessions. Guest speak on the topic of sedentary behavior and cardiac care.
Curriculum and Educational Materials:
1. The Otago Exercise Program – This program was chosen for its evidenced based curriculum.
It has a walking program component that is progressive in format.
2. Cardiovascular Health informational handouts from the American Heart Association
These would have pertinent preventative information from a reputable resource.
Space Requirements:
Classroom with five tables that have six chairs at each. Seating to accommodate thirty participants. The room should be self-temperature controlled.
The room should have high speed internet capability.
A bathroom should be adjacent to the room to maintain convenient personal hygiene.
Space utilized will be a community room in a local public library. There is no cost.
Equipment and Supplies:
16 blood pressure kits – Provided free through the “Libraries with Heart “program and in partnership with the local American Heart Association.
White Board with different colored dry erase markers – Provided by library
Projector and Screen – Provided by library
Audio-Visual equipment – Provided by library
16 Fit Bit Activity Trackers – Will pursue health insurance incentives or promotions targeting seniors with low incomes. Will also look into Medicare offerings for program participants.
Alcohol wipes (Individually wrapped) – Provided by program organizer
Clock with a second hand – Provided by library
Purell Hand Sanitizer 2-liter pump bottle – Provided by program organizer
Funding Strategy:
I plan to finance my program through sponsorships through the local American Heart Association and private donations. This funding method is the most appropriate for my program because it focuses on promoting educating the general public on cardiovascular disease.
Part 2: Budget Development:
Budget Summary
Revenue and Support
Source of Revenue Amount ($)
Contributions from sponsors $0 (blood pressure kits) $9.99 value each
$0 (Fit Bit Activity Tracker) $99.75 value each
Gifts $0 (Donated)
Participant Fees $0
Sale of curriculum materials $34.90 (Hand Sanitizer)
$ 3.99 (Sterile Alcohol Prep Pads - 100 count)
Total Income $271.84 + $1,496.25 = $1,768.09
Expenditures $38.89
Direct Costs $38.89
Expense Category Amount
Personnel – Salaries & Wages $0 (All interns are volunteering)
Fringe Benefits $0
Consultants $0
Supplies $0
Instructional Materials $0
Incentives $0
Meeting Costs $0
Equipment $0
Travel $0
Postage $15.60 (book of 20 stamps)
Advertising $0
Total Direct Costs: $15.60
Indirect Costs:
Expense Category Amount ($)
Indirect Costs $0
Total Indirect Costs $0
Total Expenditures: $38.89
Balance (Total Income - Total Expenditures): $54.49
Marketing
We are offering older adults a grant offered opportunity to improve their heart health. This is an awesome way to save on future potential health costs and maintain independence. No cost (FREE). The program will be held at the main branch of the public library at 11am-12 noon. Another session to be held at the local rehabilitation wellness center at 2pm-3pm. A representative from the Outpatient Dietician, Physical Therapist, and Nursing staff will be available for brief consultations after the sessions.
Promotion: Flyers will be placed at the rehabilitation center and at all public librarys' front doors; at the wellness center front check in desk, and senior housing in the area. Email notifications will be sent out to area houses of worship. An article will be placed in the local Sunday newspaper.
*** PLEASE, ONLY SENIOR CITIZENS (AGED 60+) WHO HAVE NEVER RECEIVED REHABILITATION SERVICES, NEED APPLY***
Our Evaluation
Pilot Study Approach
The purpose of the pilot is to perform a mock implementation of the “Put Your Heart Into It: Choose to Move” program, which focuses on sedentary older adults moving more. The program will initially take place in a classroom setting. Once training is completed, the walking program will occur outside on the residential grounds.
Steps involved in the pilot implementation:
Fidelity: Ensuring that the program is being carried out as it has been created on paper and that the intervention strategies were successful. This will be done beginning with education on cardiovascular disease and what constitutes an abnormally elevated blood pressure, training on usage of a blood pressure cuff, and then working on a walking program.
Adequate resources were available to carry out the program – This would include the budget expenditures that encompass the personnel needed to staff the program, payments given to the staff, postage, all contributions from sponsors, donated gifts, and curriculum materials.
Also included would be any fees for the classroom rental.
All participants will be requested for their feedback on how they felt the program was received by them and ways that it could be improved. This will also include any observations made by the staff who actively participated. All aspects of the program will be assessed to identify any issues. If significant critiques are shared that cannot be revised easily, the program will be re-examined and restructured, then undergo another piloting event to test how sustainable it is.
Timeline and duration: The pilot program will occur over a six-week period. The formal program is over a twelve-week period.
Success will be evaluated by how the program was received by the sedentary older adults, the staff, and program organizers. There will be a short rating scoring from one to five that will offer generalized insight into the program. All evaluators will additionally have the opportunity to offer more detailed comments within each section.
References
McKenzie, J. F., Neiger, B. L., & Thackeray, R. (2023). “Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs: A Primer”, 8th ed. http://oswego.edu/etext
Rodgers JL, Jones, J, Bolleddu, SI, Vanthenapalli, S, Rodgers, LE, Shah, K, Karia, K, Panguluri, SK. (2019) Cardiovascular Risks Associated with Gender and Aging. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2019 Apr 27;6(2) :19 DOI:10.3390/jcdd6020019.
Cravello, L. Di Santo, S, Varrassi, G, Benincasa, D, Marchettini, P, de Tommaso, M, et al. (2019). Chronic Pain in the Elderly with Cognitive Decline: A Narrative Review. Pain Ther. 8:1. DOI: 10.1007/s40122-019-0111-
https://www.uhc.com/news-articles/healthy-living/4-ways-to-help-fight-muscle-loss
Cabo, C., Hernandez-Beltran, V., Parraca, J., Fernandes, O., & Espada, M. (2024). Evolution of research related to how a sedentary lifestyle influences the aging process: a 4bibliometric review. Journal of Public Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-024-02327-7
McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. (2021). Older adults' construal of sedentary behaviour: Implications for reducing sedentary behaviour in older adult populations. J Health Psychol. 2021 Oct;26(12):2186-2199. DOI: 10.1177/13591053
Taylor, W.C., Rix, K., Gibson, A., Paxton, R.J. (2020). Sedentary behavior and health outcomes in older adults: A systematic review[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2020, 7(1): 10-39. DOI: 10.3934/medsci.2020002
Meneguci, G., Meneguci, J., Sasaki, JE, Tribess, S., Junior, JSV (2021). Physical activity, sedentary behavior and functionality in older adults: A cross-sectional path analysis. PLoS ONE. (2021). 16(1): e0246275.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone 0246275
Ma, L. (2025). Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and intrinsic capacity at older ages: get active! The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2025 May 6(5), 100687
Maresova, P., Krejcar, O., Maskuriy, R., Bakar, NAA, Selamat, A., Truhlarova, Z., Horak, J., Joukl, M., & Vitkova, L. (2023). Challenges and opportunity in mobility among older adults – key determinant identification. BMC Geriatr. 2023 Jul 21(23), 447. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04106-7
Ferrucci L, Cooper R, Shardell M, Simonsick EM, Schrack JA, Kuh D. (2016). Age-Related Change in Mobility: Perspectives from Life Course
Epidemiology and Geroscience. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Sep;71(9):1184-94. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glw04
Taylor, D. (2014). Physical activity is medicine for older adults. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2014 Jan 90(1059):26-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-131366
Gronek, J., Boraczynski, M., Gronek, P., Wielinski, D., Tarnas, J., Marszalek, S., Tang, YY. (2021). Exercise in Aging: Be Balanced. Aging Dis., 2021 Aug 1; 12(5): 1140-1149. DOI: 10.14336/AD.2021.0107
Wheeler, MJ, Dunstan, DW, Smith, B, Smith, KJ, Scheer, A, Lewis, J, Naylor, LH, Heinonen, I, Ellis, KA, Cerin, E, Ainslie, PN, & Green, DJ. (2019). Morning exercise mitigates the impact of prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow in older adults. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2019; 126(4): 1049-1055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00001.20
Cabo, C., Hernandez-Beltran, V., Parraca, J., Fernandes, O., & Espada, M. (2024). Evolution of research related to how a sedentary lifestyle influences the aging process: a bibliometric review. Journal of Public Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-024-02327-7
McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. (2021). Older adults' construal of sedentary behaviour: Implications for reducing sedentary behaviour in older adult populations. J Health Psychol. 2021 Oct;26(12):2186-2199. DOI: 10.1177/1359105320909870
Taylor, W.C., Rix, K., Gibson, A., Paxton, R.J. (2020). Sedentary behavior and health outcomes in older adults: A systematic review[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2020, 7(1): 10-39. DOI: 10.3934/medsci.2020002
Meneguci, G., Meneguci, J., Sasaki, JE, Tribess, S., Junior, JSV (2021). Physical activity, sedentary behavior and functionality in older adults: A cross-sectional path analysis. PLoS ONE. (2021). 16(1): e0246275. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone. 0246275
Ma, L. (2025). Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and intrinsic capacity at older ages: get active! The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2025 May 6(5), 100687
Maresova, P., Krejcar, O., Maskuriy, R., Bakar, NAA, Selamat, A., Truhlarova, Z., Horak, J., Joukl, M., & Vitkova, L. (2023). Challenges and opportunity in mobility among older adults – key determinant identification. BMC Geriatr. 2023 Jul 21(23), 447. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04106-7
Ferrucci L, Cooper R, Shardell M, Simonsick EM, Schrack JA, Kuh D. (2016). Age-Related Change in Mobility: Perspectives From Life Course Epidemiology and Geroscience. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Sep;71(9):1184-94. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glw043.
Taylor, D. (2014). Physical activity is medicine for older adults. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2014 Jan 90(1059):26-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-131366
Gronek, J., Boraczynski, M., Gronek, P., Wielinski, D., Tarnas, J., Marszalek, S., Tang, YY. (2021). Exercise in Aging: Be Balanced. Aging Dis., 2021 Aug 1; 12(5): 1140-1149. DOI: 10.14336/AD.2021.0107
Wheeler, MJ, Dunstan, DW, Smith, B, Smith, KJ, Scheer, A, Lewis, J, Naylor, LH, Heinonen, I, Ellis, KA, Cerin, E, Ainslie, PN, & Green, DJ. (2019). Morning exercise mitigates the impact of prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow in older adults. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2019; 126(4): 1049-1055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00001.2019
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