National Alzheimer’s Plan Finalized
[embed_youtube”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/FSST3MSDz1c”]
5 Cool Ways Health Clubs are Shrinking SeniorsÛª Waistlines
Guest post by David Roddenberry. åÊ
David Roddenberry is co-founder of HealthyWage, (www.HealthyWage.com),
the only company that pays Americans cash to lose weight while offering social
and expert-based support, tools and resources, and goal-setting and tracking
technologies to address our nationÛªs obesity epidemic and improve AmericaÛªs collective health.
the only company that pays Americans cash to lose weight while offering social
and expert-based support, tools and resources, and goal-setting and tracking
technologies to address our nationÛªs obesity epidemic and improve AmericaÛªs collective health.
Health club memberships in the U.S. have leveled out over the last 20-years while the obesity epidemic has ballooned. Many health clubs are adopting unconventional programs to bolster their older membership base and better motivate the senior marketplace to get fit, trim and healthy.
ÛÏAmid the growing rate of obesity in the U.S. and the aging population of boomers, health clubs are continually challenged to drive new memberships and inspire current members to visit their facilities for workouts with some regularity to get, and keep, them on a healthy track,Û notes Kelli Calabrese, international fitness, nutrition and lifestyle specialist twice named ÛÏPersonal Trainer of the Year.Û ÛÏI applaud the health club community for integrating new, exciting and innovative ways to attract and engage members to keep their fitness lifestyle fresh, fun and frequentÛ_and even profitable!Û
Here are a few cool new programs now underway:
åÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ
åÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ
1. Whole-Life Training. åÊHealth club facilities are now looking beyond just the exercise component of fostering a healthy lifestyle. åÊIn addition to personal training staff, todayÛªs progressive health clubs are boasting on-site nutritionists and other allied healthcare professionals likeåÊphysical therapists and even psychologists.åÊ These value added services holistically address all areas of a memberÛªs life that impact their overall well-being, health and happiness. Engaging and assisting members in this comprehensive way maximizes member results, retention and referrals.
2. Kicking Members Out. For outdoor fitness, that is.åÊ Some health clubs are utilizing their external real estate to promote fitness activities al fresco. Club owners are realizing that many people get bored with the indoor offeringsÛÓeven depressed or deterredÛÓso they are offering running and cycling clubs, parking lot boot camps and spin classes, and more.åÊ
3. Weight Loss Wagering.åÊ Diet contests and weight loss betting programs, like that offered by HealthyWage.com, are exploding in popularity as both individuals and employee groups from coast to coast ÛÏdiet for dollars.ÛåÊåÊ More than 4,500 health clubs nationwide now serve as åÊÛÏweigh in locationsÛ for HealthyWage.com contest participants, with many opting to also purchase a club membership as they shed pounds with their eye on the $10,000 team prize. This financial weight loss incentive approach is so effective Fortune 500 companies nationwide have integrated such programs into their corporate wellness initiatives to benefit both employee groups and their own bottom line.åÊ
4. Clubs Go Retro. Nostalgia evokes emotion and emotion drives action. With this in mind throwback 80’s fitness classes, in which participants dress in period-inspired spandex and leg warmers and do aerobics to music by Michael Jackson, George Michael, and the like, are bringing the neon headband sporting, leotard-wearing enthusiasts to health clubs in droves.åÊåÊ Originating in hipster ‘hoods like LA and NYC, this 80Ûªs fitness craze is sweeping the nation, proving to be a fun, creative and, like, totally awesome way to attract new members ÛÒ and keep current members coming back for more.åÊ
5. Patriotism Personified. While military discounts are nothing new in the business landscape, full-scale, week-long national programs offering completely free benefits to any and all active, reserve and retired military members, and their families, throughout the U.S. is wonderfully above and beyond the norm. This is exactly what one large national change is doing, for five consecutive years having provided complimentary week-long club access to AmericaÛªs extensive number of active, inactive and retired military personnelÛÓand dependentsÛÓin observance of Veterans Day.åÊ This same sentiment-oriented national health club chain also celebrates ÛÏActive Aging WeekÛ by offering free week-long workouts for older adults age 50 or above.
ItÛªs time for fresh approaches, innovative thinking and even risk taking to trim the waistline of AmericaÛªs seniors. Novel health club programs can tactically and effectively address obesity in new and compelling ways on the front line.
(Editor’s Note: We do not in any way endorse Healthy Wage but do believe that incentive plans for losing weight can be effective.)
National Alzheimer’s Plan Presented
Back in the winter, a draft of a National Alzheimer’s Plan, called for in the National AlzheimerÛªs Project Act (NAPA), was released. More than 3,600 people or organizations submitted comments on the draft plan including the Consumer Consortium for Advancing Person Center Living, of which I am on the board.åÊ We wrote about efforts at the time to refine the plan.
At that time the administration announced that it would take immediate action to implement parts of the plan. Then in May, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced additional specific actions, including the funding of two major clinical trials; the development of new high-quality, up-to-date training and information for clinicians; and a new public education campaign and website to help families and caregivers find the services and support they need.
The initiatives announced include:
- Research ÛÒ The funding of new research projects by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will focus on key areas in which emerging technologies and new approaches in clinical testing now allow for a more comprehensive assessment of the disease. Two major clinical trials are being funded. One is a $7.9 million effort to test an insulin nasal spray for treating AlzheimerÛªs disease. A second study is the first prevention trial in people at the highest risk for the disease.
- Tools for Clinicians ÛÒ The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded $2 million in funding through its geriatric education centers to provide high-quality training for doctors, nurses, and other health care providers on recognizing the signs and symptoms of AlzheimerÛªs disease and how to manage the disease.
- HHSÛª new website, www.alzheimers.gov, offers resources and support to those facing AlzheimerÛªs disease and their friends and family.
- Awareness campaign ÛÒ The first new television advertisement encouraging caregivers to seek information at the new website was debuted.
In 2013, the National Family Caregiver Support Program will continue to provide essential services to family caregivers, including those helping loved ones with AlzheimerÛªs disease. This program will enable family caregivers to receive essential respite services, providing them a short break from caregiving duties, along with other essential services, such as counseling, education and support groups.
This funding will be extremely important especially in light of one recent study that found that one-third of Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses were incorrect. Researchers working on the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study ÛÓ an ongoing study that’s been in progress since 1991 ÛÓ have been studying the brain changes caused by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. When pathologists studied the brains of 852 men diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, they found that the diagnosis was wrong in one-third of the time; correct one-third of the time; and partially wrong one-third of the time, the Detroit Free Press reported.
“Pulling these things apart and the need for a real diagnosis — that’s important so people can live the best quality of life as possible for as long as possible,” Jennifer Howard, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, told the Free Press.
Howard recommends consultations with interdisciplinary team with both geriatricians and neurologists to gain more accurate diagnoses.
For more information on the national plan to address AlzheimerÛªs disease, visit: www.alzheimers.gov.
To read the National Plan to Address AlzheimerÛªs Disease, visit http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/napa/NatlPlan.pdf.
Acupuncture Can Help COPD (VIDEO)
[embed_youtube”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/7Hb91S1P3rE”]
Acupuncture Can Help COPD
 |
| Could help COPD! |
Acupuncture appears to help the labored breathing that accompanies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Japanese investigators tracked 68 COPD patients over a 12-week period. Half of the participants received acupuncture plus daily medication, while the other half was assigned to a placebo in which the acupuncture needles used did not breach the participants’ skin.
Subjects treated with real acupuncture needles improved their breathing, while there was no improvement seen in the sham acupuncture group.
As with most studies, the researchers called for further study! Check with your doctor.
