Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Coach training & coaching: 6 FCS Educators and 5 volunteers were trained to use basic coaching skills in interaction with middle-aged and older residents of 9 rural communities. Community volunteers and core advisory groups were recruited. Community and/or committee meetings were held to identify vision and resources for healthy aging in each participating community. Informal conversations took place at various events and local settings in communities to hear concerns, identify needs, and "coach" toward clarifying a vision for healthy aging. Surveys related to attitudes toward and needs of the communities were conducted. Application for mini-grants: Responding to their visions and identified needs, each community applied for up to $3000 in grant funding for wellness centers, walking paths, hand railings, interactive games, and various educational programming efforts. Surveys assessing attitudes toward and needs of the communities were conducted. Near the end of the project, collective efficacy was assessed. Additional training and retreat: At a Health Promotion of Elderly in Rural Communities workshop, Anne Packet, RN, MA, FCN, and Alyson Breisch, RN, MSN from Duke Divinity School provided training on the use of faith based settings to promote healthy aging behaviors in communities. This was attended by 13 representatives from the participating communities and Extension educators. Approximately 25 people from Eastern SD attended the Wisdom of the Ages Retreat planned by Extension educators. Newsletters, activities, and displays were developed for distribution at senior centers and other community events. In addition to state or regional training or events, communities participating in the project scheduled their own activities. Because planning for and implementing these activities provided indicators of change in communities, examples of those activities are addressed further in the outcome/impact section. PARTICIPANTS: Renee Oscarson and Suzanne Stluka, Project Directors, arranged for and attended project trainings, met with participating FCS Extension Educators and volunteers, distributed relevant information to participants, visited some project sites, and supervised a graduate student, Chanda Walter. Sally Gillman evaluated the project. FCS Extension educators trained to serve as "coaches" for communities are Linda Burg, Ellyn Eddy, Bobbi Larsen, Sandra Namken, Sally Park Hageman, and Nancy Pauly. Educators from eastern SD also planned the Wisdom of the Ages retreat. Linda Hedberg, Life Stories Coaching, developed training materials and provided training for 6 FCS Extension Educators and 4 project volunteers. Anne Packett and Alyson Breisch from Duke Divinity School provided training to promote healthy aging in faith-based settings. Community volunteers also particated in trainings and were responsible for community successes. Partner organizations varied from community to community, but included local schools, businesses, churches, fire departments, and other community organizations. TARGET AUDIENCES: Middle-aged and older adults in rural SD communities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: At the time of application for mini-grants, one of the Extension educators indicated that she was only able to work with one community rather than two. Therefore, a mini-grant proposal was submitted for funding to bring consultants to SD to train community representatives to promote healthy aging in faith-based settings, rather than submitting a proposal for a 10th community.
Impacts
A coaching process facilitated changes in conditions and health behaviors by eliciting participants' own ideas about and goals for health promotion. Eight of 9 communities provided evidence of achieving goals. Community(numbered)-specific outcomes/impacts were: Communiuty #1. Partnership with school district & development of walking path. Town of 139 documented 25 walkers who logged over 115 miles. Community #2. Identified challenges in navigating steps and walking in a town lacking paved streets, sidewalks and handrails. Community members embraced the training on faith-based strategies. Outdoor handrail was been installed,and local clergy are meeting regularly to mobilize support networks. Examples include provision of food and "roofing a house." Community #3. Obtained resources to restore a building that has provided a place for meetings, including Wellness fair and dances. Community #4. Town with population of 99 had 50 residents participating. Partnering with the school to obtain space, the city to provide insurance, electricity, and water, and a healthcare clinic for incentives, they developed a fitness center which had 108 people involved. "Transformational change" & numerous activities were reported. Community #5. Due to volunteer efforts, a fitness center came to fruition quickly. Community #6.Coaching was implemented at weekly "pie socials" and community forums. Needs for low impact exercise equipment and sources of healthy food were identified. "60+ Dining Program" began at lounge after the grocery store closed & averaged 10 participants daily. A farmer's market meets fruit and vegetable needs. Exercise equipment was purchased from a mini-grant and local donations. Increased social inclusion reported. Community #7. An intergenerational senior companion program and exercise equipment in local senior center were planned. Reported exercise benefits included increased strength, improvement in balance, less arthritic pain, decreased medication use, and increased flexibility. The community also developed an intergenerational garden, with services donated by a local business, that became the site of activities and workshops. Community #8. Partnering with the mayor's office, city council, a physical therapist and a dietitian, the group set up an area in the community center for encouraging strength-building, flexibility, and memory-enhancing activities. Senior exercise group meets 3X/week. Raised bed gardens were developed,with 25 people attending training about gardening and reporting increased knowledge about safe canning. Community #9. Did not appear to reach goals. In summary, training in/use of coaching skills by select Extension educators and rural volunteers may create longer term changes in by encouraging community-specific changes in health context and behaviors.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 6 FCS Educators and 5 volunteers were trained by Linda Hedberg, Life Stories Coaching, in the use of Community Coaching techniques. The trainees subsequently used the skills to interact with residents of rural communities. Community volunteers and core advisory groups were recruited. Community forums were held to identify needs of aging communities. Informal conversations took place at various events and local settings in communities to hear concerns, identify needs, and "coach" toward clarifying a vision for healthy aging. Responding to identified needs, each community planned projects and applied for up to $3000 in grant funding for wellness centers, walking paths, septic systems, hand railings, interactive games, and various educational programming efforts. Surveys assessing attitudes toward and needs of the communities were conducted. PARTICIPANTS: Renee Oscarson and Suzanne Stluka, Project Directors, arrange for and attended project trainings, meet with participating FCS Extension Educators, hired project assistants, manage finances, distribute relevant information to participants, and visited some project sites. Sally Gillman is the evaluator for the project and supervised graduate students who visited participating communities to conduct interviews. Corey Anderson and Chanda Walter, graduate assistants, visited participating communities to collect data. FCS Extension educators who serve as "coaches" for communities are Linda Burg, Ellyn Eddy, Bobbi Larsen, Sandra Namken, Sally Park Hageman, and Nancy Pauly. Linda Hedberg, Life Stories Coaching, developed training materials and provided training for 6 FCS Extension Educators and 4 project volunteers. TARGET AUDIENCES: Older adults in rural South Dakota communities received coaching in order to clarify their visions of healthy communities and begin to take action to make their communities healthier and more age-friendly. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Community A: A recumbent bike for one community's wellness center benefiting those with knee surgery rehabilitation and arthritic joints. Bingo is held twice monthly for social interaction for approximately 12 senior citizens. When the local grocery store closed, the "60+ Dining Program" began and averages 10 participants daily. The newly started Farmer's Market facilitates healthy aging by meeting fruit and vegetable needs. Community B: Grant funds helped purchase machines for a renovated wellness center benefiting 60 persons in a community of only 100 residents. Users report increased physical activity, more social interaction, and personal financial savings by using center equipment rather than making individual purchases for home use. The local fire department teamed with project volunteers to purchase smoke alarms/ batteries to distribute to every home in the local fire district, maximizing the response efforts by fire fighters. Community C: Grant funds helped establish a wellness center with machines for strength training and aerobic exercise. Average daily use is 15 persons since opening in early summer. One woman reported time and money savings in using the machines for rehabilitation after hip surgery, eliminating her 30-mile daily trip to a larger hospital setting. Those using the center serve as positive aging-friendly role models for others in the community. Partnerships are evolving with the local senior center and city council. Community D: A mini grant made possible the installation of a septic system for the City Auditorium, an building that now draws people together for wellness and social activities. Community E: A walking track was completed in the community using mini-grant funds and partnering with the local school and County commissioners for additional services. Healthy U Club met at the school for 15 weeks of walking with pedometers provided by the grant, fitness-related classes, check-ups, and nutrition information, all leading to healthy lifestyle changes by each participant. The club serves as a core group for future impact on the aging-friendly community. Communities F and G: Each community purchased two specially designed exercise chairs to allow those with limited mobility and balance to strengthen their muscles and increase mobility through resistance exercise. Social interaction, exercise, and mental alertness for the aging population are sharpened through the purchase and use of a Wii, a technology based interactive computer game. Large print cards and card holders result in easier card playing for those with limited vision and arthritis. Communities H and I:30 aging adults learned memory aerobic techniques to prevent loss of brain functions and preserve their memories. 53 adults are more aware of hearing loss and sensitive to the use of devices to regain hearing. 20 adults learned the importance of proper footwear and clothing selection while doing physical activity. Community J: Mini-grant funds are being used to develop a walking path because the only sidewalks in the community are on the 2 block main street. This is leading to safer walking and a healthier, aging-friendly community.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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