Healthy Orange Seniors

The Orange County Department of Health’s Healthy Orange Campaign has been very busy since the kick off in January 2006 when the campaign made its debut to the Orange County community.  Several major public health concerns facing the United States, and therefore, the residents of Orange County, have been the focus of this campaign.  The program looks at the issues of the increased rate of overweight and obese children and adults, the continuation of our tendency to be more sedentary watching TV and using computers rather than pursuing physical activity, and high rates of smoking and tobacco related illness. The Healthy Orange initiative addresses three simple but vital issues to improve the overall health of Orange County residents:  improved nutrition, increased physical activity and movement, and a tobacco free lifestyle.

Healthy Orange began its campaign targeting school-age children.  Healthy Orange and its collaborative grant programs presently work with over 13 school districts in Orange County to increase opportunities for exercise, improve nutritional habits and live tobacco free lives. 

In the spring of 2007, Healthy Orange “matured” and geared their focus on adults by put into operation a pilot Worksite Wellness program for Orange County Government employees.  Healthy Orange offers free tobacco cessation programs for anyone working or living in Orange County. Healthy Orange partnered with Orange Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Heart Program to implement free heart screenings to government employees at seven County sites in Goshen, Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis.  Healthy Orange also put into action a Lunch & Learn series for those employees.  Some of the topics covered were label reading, nutrition basics, and exercise at the workplace.  Over 300 employees participated in the Healthy Orange programs.  Healthy Orange is planning to bring similar Worksite Wellness programs to five more county sites in spring 2008.  Healthy Orange is also providing these programs to non-government workplaces.  SUNY Orange, Genpak, AMPAC, Blue Cross, and Inspire School/Clinic have also implemented Healthy Orange worksite programs.  Healthy Orange will continue to assist worksites in creating opportunities for healthful behaviors for their employees during the workday.

Healthy Orange has once again “matured” and has become more ‘seasoned.  In 2008, Healthy Orange Seniors initiative will begin.  Orange County Department of Health in collaboration with the Office for the Aging is going to begin focusing on aspects of aging healthy.  Healthy Orange Seniors goals will be focused on older adults and seniors, ages 50 and over with the overarching goal being: live better, live longer.  This is in hopes to increase the number of older adults who live longer, high-quality, productive, and independent lives.  This is akin to the Healthy People 2010 objectives.  Healthy Orange would also like to extend its goals to those approaching their “golden years”.  Adopting healthier behaviors now, can assist you in aging in better health.

Healthy Orange and the Office for the Aging surveyed seventy-five seniors in Orange County during September and October.  The surveys (available at orangecountygov.com/health) helped OCDOH gather information on what Orange County seniors are doing to keep themselves healthy.  It also informed OCDOH about barriers to better health that population.  The areas of need will be examined and Healthy Orange Seniors will implement nutrition, exercise and tobacco cessation/education and outreach programs as needed.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has outlined some areas of healthy living and aging directed at the senior population.  The following information will be useful in guiding Healthy Orange Seniors in our county to adopting or maintaining healthful behaviors.