Health-Smart Behavior Program Customized for Seniors

Mother Teresa once said, "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

The Health-Smart Holistic Health Program for Seniors was a program that was designed to address the problems of social isolation, food insecurity, and financial insecurity that negatively impacted the health and health-related quality of life of many seniors in Health Zone 1 of Jacksonville, FL. The program was a multi-component, multi-partnered program that helped empower seniors to take charge of their social, mental, spiritual, and physical health under whatever conditions existed in their lives.

9-Session Group Discussion Program

1. • Designed to increase physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellbeing; social connections; and important aspects of food security, such as knowledge about buying, preparing, and eating healthy food.
2. • 500 seniors at 24 sites in Health Zone 1 participated in nine group discussion sessions and attended interactive panel sessions with health professionals and smartphone training sessions.

Church-Based Food Pantry Program

1. • Twenty food pantries operated by faith-based organizations distributed free, healthy food to Health-Smart participants and other community members on a weekly basis.

Physical Activity Sessions

1. • Program participants were provided with a list of free or reduced-cost physical activities that were available in the community.

Online Food Security and Social Connection App

1. • A website that provided a way for program participants to get health information and resources, connect with each other, and have their health-related questions answered by health care professionals.