Building Healthy Communities

Project Title

Replicating and Sustaining the Aging Mastery Program in New York State

Grant Amount

$350,000

Priority Area

Building Healthy Communities

Date Awarded

November 5, 2015

Region

Central NY

North Country

Status

Closed

Website

https://www.ncoa.org

Research shows that social and volunteering activities that mobilize seniors in their communities are as important as fitness activities in promoting senior health.

As a result, seniors have a decreased risk of requiring long-term care in the future. The Aging Mastery Program (AMP) is a lifestyle behavior program that aims to improve the lives of older adults, combining goal setting, daily practices, and peer support to help participants focus on physical health improvements, financial stability, and life enrichment. Topics include healthy eating, exercise, medication management, falls prevention, and Medicare tips. AMP is currently offered in several states, with funding coming from a myriad of organizations. In 2015, NYHealth awarded the National Council on the Aging, Inc., (NCOA) a grant to spread AMP in New York State and secure sustainable financing for the program.

Under this grant, NCOA launched AMP in upstate New York and evaluated the program to enable it to qualify for ongoing federal funding. NCOA collaborated with organizations in Central New York and the North Country to replicate AMP in 12 upstate sites, and provided technical assistance and training. NCOA worked with payers and providers to develop payment arrangements to support the program, and implemented regional strategies for sustainability and growth. NCOA worked with the Quality & Technical Assistance Center of the Center for Excellence in Aging & Community Wellness to evaluate and document the impact and effectiveness of the program. Program evaluation was a necessary step for AMP to be able to apply for federal funding that will help sustain the program.