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Free Evidence-Based Intervention Programs Provided for Seniors
Evidence-based interventions have been proven by scientists to be helpful in improving health outcomes in certain groups, such as older adults or people with disabilities. The Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging offers beginner level evidence-based intervention programs to adults 60 years and older using health education and exercise to improve the quality of life of older and disabled residents.
All workshops are in-person unless otherwise indicated.
Contact us to learn more about the workshops, including information about the dates, locations, and times of workshops.
For Austin, Brazoria, Liberty, Montgomery, Walker, and Waller counties, please contact:
Teneisha Green
[email protected]
832-681-2564
For Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda, and Wharton counties, please contact:
Misty Sullivan
[email protected]
832-681-2655
| Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program* | |
|---|---|
| Group exercise program to help reduce pain and stiffness and to main-tain or improve mobility, muscle strength and functional ability. Endurance-building routines, relaxation exercises, and health education topics are also included. Note: Participants do not have to have arthritis. | |
| Length | 1 hour, 1-3 times a week |
| Setting | Any space large enough for participants to move their arms freely |
| Group Size | 10-20 participants |
| Topics Covered | Behavioral health, chronic disease, fall prevention, pain management, physical activity |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved health and quality of life, reduced pain/inflammation, increased social interaction, improved joint function, increased muscular strength |
| SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) | |
|---|---|
| SAIL fitness class includes warmup, aerobics, balance, strength training, and stretching exercises that can be done in a seated or standing position. Periodic Fitness Checks track general mobility, arm strength, and leg strength. SAIL guides provide written education on fall prevention. | |
| Length | 1 hour, twice a week |
| Setting | Any space large enough for participants to move their arms and legs freely |
| Group Size | 10-20 participants |
| Topics Covered | Physical activity, fall prevention |
| Desired Outcomes | Reduced risk of falls |
| Tai Chi* | |
|---|---|
| Utilizes Sun style Tai Chi to improve relaxation, balance, and mobility. | |
| Length | 1 hour, once a week for 6 weeks |
| Setting | Any space large enough for participants to move their arms and legs freely |
| Group Size | 8-20 participants |
| Topics Covered | Physical activity, chronic disease, arthritis, fall prevention, pain management |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved balance, mobility, strength, flexibility, relaxation; decreased pain; reduced risk of falls |
Informative Health Education Programs
| Chronic Disease Self-Management* | |
|---|---|
| Interactive workshop for people living with one or more chronic physical or mental health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, depression, etc. Participants learn to manage their conditions through planning, problem solving, and decision-making. | |
| Length | Six 2-2.5-hour sessions, once a week for 6 weeks |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables and chairs |
| Group Size | At least 8 participants |
| Topics Covered | Chronic disease, fall prevention, medication management, nutrition, pain management, physical activity |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved health behaviors, reduced symptoms, reduced health care utilization |
| Diabetes Self-Management* | |
|---|---|
| Recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a diabetes support program, this interactive group workshop is for adults living with type 2 diabetes. Participants learn to manage their diabetes by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and through action planning, problem solving, and decision-making. | |
| Length | Six 2-2.5-hour sessions, once a week for 6 weeks |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables and chairs |
| Group Size | At least 8 participants |
| Topics Covered | Diabetes disease management, medication management, nutrition, physical activity |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved health behaviors, healthy blood sugar level, reduced symptoms and health care costs |
| Powerful Tools for Caregivers* | |
|---|---|
| Classes help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a friend or relative. | |
| Length | Six 1.5-hour sessions, once a week for 6 weeks |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables and chairs |
| Group Size | At least 8 participants |
| Topics Covered | Behavioral health |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved self-care behaviors, management of emotions (e.g. guilt, anger, depression), and self-efficacy in caregiving role |
Health-Brid Programs
Incorporating Health Education and Exercise
| Bingocize | |
|---|---|
| Strategically combines the game of bingo, exercise (range of motion, balance, muscle strengthening, and endurance exercises), and health education to improve health and wellness. | |
| Length | Twenty 1-hour sessions, 2 times a week |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables and chairs |
| Group Size | At least 10 participants (ideally 12-20 participants) |
| Topics Covered | Fall prevention, nutrition, physical activity, Alzheimer’s disease/dementia |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved health behaviors, physical strength, gait, balance, range of motion, and cognition; increased social engagement |
| On The Move | |
|---|---|
| Group-based exercise program for older adults, designed to target key principles of the biomechanics and motor control of walking. The program contains a warm-up, stepping patterns, walking patterns, strengthening exercises, and cool-down exercises. | |
| Length | 45 minutes, twice a week for 12 weeks |
| Setting | Large room preferably 1200 feet with chairs |
| Group Size | 10 participants |
| Topics Covered | Physical activity |
| Desired Outcomes | Walking speed and endurance |
| Diabetes Prevention Program | |
|---|---|
| Group exercise program to help reduce pain and stiffness and to main-tain or improve mobility, muscle strength and functional ability. Endurance-building routines, relaxation exercises, and health education topics are also included. Note: Participants do not have to have arthritis. | |
| Length | 1 year: First 6 months meetings are once a week and the last 6 months are bimonthly meetings |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables, chairs, and a large screen to view videos |
| Group Size | 10 - 20 participants |
| Topics Covered | Chronic conditions, medication management, diet/nutrition, exercise and fitness |
| Desired Outcomes | Participants who lost 5-7% of their body weight and added 150 minutes of exercise per week cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 71% for people over 60 years old |
| Aging Mastery Program | |
|---|---|
| The interactive workshops combines evidence-informed knowledge sharing with goal-setting and feedback routines, daily practices, peer support, and small rewards. Classes are led by expert and/or experienced speakers who help participants gain the skills and tools they need to manage their health, remain economically secure, and contribute actively in society. | |
| Length | Ten 1.5 hour sessions, once a week for 10 weeks or twice a week for 5 weeks |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables, chairs, and a large screen to view videos |
| Group Size | 15 - 30 participants |
| Topics Covered | The 10 curriculum topics are Navigating Longer Lives, Fall-Prevention, Medication Management, Sleep, Financial Security, Advance Planning, Exercise and You, Healthy Eating and Hydration, Community Engagement, and Healthy Relationships. |
| Desired Outcomes | Improved self-care behaviors and quality of life, increased social interaction and self-efficacy |
| Texercise | |
|---|---|
| Texercise is a statewide health and wellness initiative of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that encourages individuals and communities to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, regular physical activity, and good nutrition. | |
| Length | Twenty 1-1.5-hour sessions, twice a week for 10 weeks |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables and chairs; large indoor space for exercising |
| Group Size | At least 10 participants |
| Topics Covered | Physical activity, nutrition, fall prevention, action planning |
| Desired Outcomes | Increased physical activity, strength, balance, and self-efficacy |
| A Matter of Balance* | |
|---|---|
| The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learn-ing to view falls as controllable. Includes group discussions, mutual problem solving, roleplay activities, exercise training, assertiveness training, and some homework assignments. | |
| Length | Eight 2-hour sessions, once a week for 8 weeks or twice a week for 4 weeks |
| Setting | Classroom setting with tables and chairs; large indoor space for exercising |
| Group Size | At least 8 participants |
| Topics Covered | Physical activity, fall prevention |
| Desired Outcomes | Reduced risk of falls, increased physical activity, and self-efficacy |