Keep Moving



The Keep Moving Mission Statement

The Keep Moving Program improves the lives of people over age 50 by promoting physical activity to help prevent and postpone chronic disease, build healthy bodies and minds, and keep individuals socially connected.

    Edward Pomfred, R.N., Director, Keep Moving Program
    Master Trainer, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Office on Health and Disability
    Office of Healthy Aging
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health
    250 Washington St., 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
    tel:   Voice (617) 624-5972,   TTY (617) 624-5992    fax: (617) 624-5075
    E-mail:   Edward.Pomfred@MassMail.State.MA.US
    Website:   www.mass.gov/dph
    Blog:   http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us

BCBSMA Partners with MDPH on Keep Moving Program

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA*) has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to promote the Keep Moving Program and Fall Prevention Information Line (1-800-227-SAFE (7233).   BCBSMA created a Prescription for Healthy Bones, to be handed out to patients by a physician, to facilitate discussion about how to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.   "Prescribed" interventions include, eating a healthy diet, joining a walking club, learning about fall prevention, and keeping up with osteoporosis screenings.

The prescription pad points members to contact the MDPH "Keep Moving" program, to look for a local walking club in their community.   Since many Councils on Aging sponsor walking clubs, you may be hearing from those interested in joining.   The prescription pad also promotes the MDPH Falls Prevention Information Line as a resource to learn more about preventing a fall.   The promotion of these programs may increase the volume of inquiries to your organization among Medicare Advantage members regarding bone health.   If you have questions call Sue Flanagan at BCBSMA, at 617-246-6344.
To read more about the "Keep Moving" program visit www.mass.gov/dph/keepmoving.

Save the Date!



Walking Club Leader Trainings


A Keep Moving Program Walking Club Leader training is scheduled for this October.   Date and location is:

Thursday, October 20, 2011 — 9:00 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m.
Gloucester Senior Center, 6 Manuel F. Lewis Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Lite refreshments for a.m. and a lite lunch will be served.   This is a cost free training sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health,   The Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging and Senior Center Directors and The Executive Office of Elder Affairs.   Target audience will be individuals interested in starting a walking club and leaders leading walking clubs who wish to acquire the most up to date information to share with their clubs.
Please see attached flyer and registration form.   Please share.   Thanks and looking forward to the training!



Walking Keeps the Brain Younger

Research shows that walking can actually boost the connectivity within brain circuits, which tends to diminish as the grey hairs multiply.

Your walking speed may predict your life span

The Boston Globe, Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Turns out, your walking speed may predict how long you'll live. That's according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Courtesy Emmett Schmarsow, EOEA

Regular Walking May Slow Decline of Alzheimer's

New research suggests that walking about five miles a week may help slow the progression of cognitive illness among seniors already suffering from mild forms of cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

Mind/Body — Dance Away Dementia !

"The 21-year study of senior citizens, 75 and older, was led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, funded by the National Institute on Aging, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.   Their method for objectively measuring mental acuity in aging was to monitor rates of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease."




— Past Events —




— 2011 —



Walking Club Leader Training in Harwich
Friday 1 April 2011 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    The Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, Harwich MA 02645
Friday 29 April 2011 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    Franklin County Home Care Corp., 330 Montague City Road, Turners Falls MA 01376
Lite refreshments for a.m. and a lite lunch will be served. This is a free training sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, The Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging and Senior Center Directors and The Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Target audience will be individuals interested in starting a walking club and leaders leading walking clubs who wish to acquire the most up to date information to share with their clubs.
Please see attached flyer and registration form.   Please share. — Ed Pomfred
Thanks and looking forward to the training!



— 2010 —


Walking Club Leader Training in Shrewsbury
A Keep Moving Program Walking Club Leader training will take place on November 15, 2010 at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.   Lite refreshments for a.m. and a lite lunch will be served.   This is a free training sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, The Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging and Senior Center Directors and The Executive Office of Elder Affairs.   Enrollment is limited.   Target audience will be individuals interested in starting a walking club and leaders leading walking clubs who wish to acquire the most up to date information to share with their clubs.
Please see attached flyer and registration form.   Please share.Thanks and looking forward to the training!






MCOA Logo   Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging

    116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306, Easthampton MA 01027-2781
    Phone:   413-527-6425       Fax:   413-527-7138

    webmaster — peter@mcoaonline.com