In 2002, The New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services (NJDHSS), County Offices on Aging and local health departments established the statewide walking program for New Jersey’s older adults to increase physical activity and reduce risk of chronic disease in 2002. Since the program’s inception, about 1,500 NJ older adults, in 19 counties, have logged nearly 350,000 miles in 19 counties. The average senior walked 234 miles. Over 30 walking clubs are listed with contact information, walking times and locations for walks. The NJDHSS Live Long, Live Well walking program for older adults received the 2005 “most innovative physical activity,” award from the YouCan! Campaign and the International Council on Active Aging.
Live Long, Live Well walkers report that 84% walk with a friend or a group and 88% of Live Long, Live Well walkers said they increased their level of physical activity by utilizing the New Jersey Walking Program.
To get started, municipalities can request a community walking kit from the NJDHSS, which includes the following:
These materials can be reproduced by local agencies for distribution. Communities are encouraged to provide walking maps identifying local walking trails and sites of interest.
Community groups such as senior centers organize local walks or encourage seniors to walk on their own. Some communities may charge a minimal fee to cover costs of pedometers and incentives. Times and days for participation vary according to local program needs, as do the size of the walking groups. At the state level, the program is promoted via the website, press releases and the state’s Healthy Aging newsletter. The program is also communicated through a wide variety of local channels.
Logbooks are available so participants can record the miles they walk. Participants tally miles walked and mail their results at periodic intervals to the NJDHSS, which tallies them on the website at no charge. Local incentives such as t-shirts, pedometers, and other items encourage participants to reach significant milestones. At the state level, the NJDHSS sends a certificate of appreciation to every participant after 12 weeks of participation.
The NJDHSS website walking page includes:
Strengths
Lessons Learned
Although individuals can access the materials and track their own miles, most people are more successful when they can walk with others. Organized walking clubs or programs can motivate older adults and miles walked can be tallied on an individual and group basis. Incentives including ‘virtual’ walks to local historical sites, ‘virtual’ miles in a foreign country or to another part of the U.S. serve to motivate people to keep walking.
It is helpful to organize the walking clubs within existing social structures, such as churches, neighborhoods, senior centers, or other community groups. Some walking groups have completed physical walks of their town, which resulted in vacant lot clean-up, repaired sidewalks and other community improvements.
The NJDHSS has also compiled a list of walking tips for communities to use that details suggestions for fluids, clothing, and water. The tips can be viewed by visiting http://nj.gov/health/senior/walking/tips.shtml.
Implementation Guide
Identify local partners, including distribution through local physician offices.
Identify program goals, such as:
Encourage individual participants to set Individual Goals
Local Fitness Coalition Responsibilities
