Older Oklahomans Urged to Take Control of Their Health, Live Longer, Stronger Lives

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- A three-year U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant will empower older Oklahomans to take control of their health and improve their quality of life. 
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma State Department of Health have joined together with several state partners to create the Living Stronger, Living Longer program. The goal is to help Oklahoma seniors age 60 and older manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease through lifestyle and behavioral changes.

In September, Oklahoma was one of 16 states awarded a portion of a more than $13 million U.S. HHS grant. The federal funds will go towardimplementing two evidence-based health prevention programs in the state – Enhance Fitness and the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self Management Program. The first year the award amount is $250,000. For each of the next two years the award amount is $300,000. 

According the 2000 census, approximately 17.4 percent of the state’s total population, or 599,080 Oklahomans, were age 60 or older. Many of the problems associated with aging are made worse by chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol. Oklahomans continue to die of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a greater rate than the rest of the United States according to the State Board of Health’s State of the State’s Health Report.

“Currently, there are few resources for Oklahoma seniors that address health-damaging behaviors such as physical inactivity and poor nutrition,” said Living Stronger, Living Longer Project Director Connie J.Eggleston, M.S.W., C.P.M., OKDHS Aging Services Division. “This is especially true for low income, rural and minority residents.”

Four regions in the state have been identified through statistical analysis as having the largest numbers of these high-risk residents. They are the Kiamichi Economic Development District, a seven-county region in southeastern Oklahoma; the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority, an eight-county region in north-central Oklahoma; the Central Oklahoma Economic Development District, a seven-county region in the central part of the state; and an area within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation, covering parts of a 13-county region in south-central Oklahoma. 

The grant will fund programs over three years at the four sites. In the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority, the funds will provide for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, developed by Stanford University.

In the other three regions, seniors will participate in twice-weekly fitness sessions, or Enhanced Fitness, using weights and physical activity. The programs are expected to begin in early 2007.

According to Eggleston, kickoff events in each region are being planned. These events will feature interactive demonstrations where potential participants can become familiar with the programs and the benefits offered. 

The OKDHS Aging Services Division and the Oklahoma Department of Health will provide initial leadership to the Living Stronger, Living Longer coalition. In addition to the Chickasaw Nation, other state partners include NODA, KEDDO, and COEDD Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and aging services nonprofit providers. 

“Improving health and wellness among seniors is one of our goals within the Aging Services Division,” said Howard H. Hendrick, director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services. “This project has the full support of Gov. Brad Henry, who has made improving Oklahoma’s health a long-term priority of his administration. We are committed to improving the quality of life and well being of all Oklahomans, reducing unnecessary health care costs and empowering individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices.” 

Grant awards were provided through the U.S. HHS Administration on Aging as part of a collaboration with The Atlantic Philanthropies. National project activities will support President Bush's HealthierUS Initiative which encourages people to take control over their health in order to live longer, better and healthier lives.  

“Having greater access to community programs that teach individuals how to manage problems associated with chronic disease complements physician care,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Crutcher. 

For more information about the Living Longer, Living Stronger program, contact Eggleston at (405) 522-3121.

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