The LBI Walkers is a group founded by the Long Beach Island Health Department aimed at getting senior citizens more active and physically fit. The group was founded 15 years ago and currently boasts of a summer program (May and June) and a fall program (September and October), each with approximately 30 members. Members are typically between the ages of 60 and 80 and must have the permission of their doctor in order to participate.
In both the summer and fall programs, participants walk together three or four times per week, for eight weeks. The walk takes place along the same route in a safe area so the program director can monitor the progress of the walkers. During the first three weeks, the director takes the pulse of each walker to determine whether or not he or she is getting the greatest benefit from the exercise without exceeding his or her abilities.
Participants have individual goals which include: making friends, preventing depression, lowering blood pressure, increasing muscle tone and improving cardiovascular status. The director says that the walking group is like a “support group” wherein members support each other during difficult times in their respective lives.
Participants in LBI Walkers must fill out a “health screening form” which provides the group with their basic medical history such as eating habits and smoking history as well as their health goals. Based on the information in these forms, the program will hold classes aimed at improving participants’ week points such as weight loss or healthy eating habits. About 90% of participants reach their health goals through the program.
The LBI Walkers program provides members with incentives and prizes for meeting their health goals. These prizes include sunscreen, sun glasses, T-Shirts, and proper athletic socks. Funding for the program comes from the municipal government, with which the LBI Walkers have a cooperative relationship.
An innovative health improvement technique used by the LBI Walkers is an emphasis on posture. Posture while walking, standing, or sitting, can have a major effect on an individual’s overall health and well being. During the group walks, the director of the program will monitor participants’ posture and suggest improvements.
To implement a program similar to the LBI Walkers program, the director suggests municipalities select an individual in the health department to take the lead on founding the program. Initial start-up time is less than one business day. During any given week, the program requires two or three hours of work from the health administration staff. A health professional is not required for the program’s success, though it does help.
Contact information
http://www.state.nj.us/health
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Division of Aging and Community Services
609-943-3498
Long Beach Island Walks
Long Beach Island Health Department
11601 Long Beach Boulevard
Beach Haven, NJ 08008-3661
609/492-1212
Email: sueparker@lbihealth.com
