Focused Discussions
Effects of a Physically Active Lifestyle on Cognition and Aging: Benefits to the Mind and Body
Focused Discussion Carol M Ciotto, Marybeth Fede
This focused discussion will provide participants the unique opportunity to engage in professional discussion surrounding the compelling information and effective strategies that help us understand the role physical activity plays on cognition and the aging process. The authors will share a physically active lifestyle initiative they have created and implemented in Connecticut-based nursing homes and senior/community centers. Being physically active is important in combating hypokinetic diseases and certain types of cancer (United States Department of Health and Human Services USDHHS, 1996-present). We can now add to the long list of benefits of physical activity; increased cognition, focus, and overall readiness to learn. According to Ratey, (2008) exercise is like “Miracle Grow” for the brain (AAHPERD, Keynote address, San Diego, 2011). Researchers suggest that what we now call thinking is really evolutionary, internalization of movement and that play helps shape the brain, opens imagination, and invigorates the spirit (Blaydes, 2000; Jensen, 2000; Lengel and Kuczala, 2010). This information is old news that is being revisited by leaders in the field of education and neuroscience, and rightfully so. It is the intent of these authors to share with participants how they utilized the powerful tool of movement to enhance the physical, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive fitness of an aging population in Connecticut. The authors will provide an overview of the PAL framework they used to establish and implement the PAL program with the aging in Connecticut. PAL handouts, PAL video clips, and PAL Framework Phase Activities will be shared (PAL Commitment, PAL Resources, PAL Stakeholders, PAL Needs Assessment and PAL Promotion/Kick-off Event). Additionally, engaging questions for and by the participants will be incorporated throughout the focused discussion to elicit interest, learning, and professional insight for all as well as providing targeted feedback for the presenters in order to strengthen the PAL initiative in Connecticut for our beloved aging population.
Connecting with Community Supports to Increase Health Literacy among Aging Communities of Color: Systems as the Engagers
Focused Discussion Patrick Burden
With an ever-changing healthcare structure, hospital systems have demonstrated an increased focus on population health using multiple strategies including better integration of behavioral health professionals into care plans as well as improved use of information technology systems and other interventions. However, health disparities and care gaps for people of color are still very present, in part due to under education and lack of community-based outreach in communities of color. I propose that to enhance population health efforts and improvements, health systems must become more actively engaged with patients of color in culturally conscious ways. It has been shown that many people of color, particularly older generations, have a historical distrust of formal medical settings. As a result these groups receive less preventive care, which becomes increasingly important and recommended for the aging population. Furthermore, these groups obtain a great deal of health education and information from social and informal supports, such as faith organizations, barbershops and salons, and community centers. Individual programs and systems attempting this approach already exist in screenings for hypertension and colorectal cancer in barbershops in Harlem, New York, and the Mount Carmel Health System Church Partnership Program in Columbus, Ohio. Efforts to increase health literacy should include outreaching communities, making better connections with the entities people trust and interact with most, and ensuring that communities are receiving accurate information. This is a challenge to health systems to be creative and proactive in seeking out and reaching classically under-served populations to truly work towards a healthier society.
