A Social Model for Health Promotion for an Aging Population: Initial Evidence on the Experience Corps Model

Linda P. Fried, Michelle C. Carlson, Marc Freedman, Kevin D. Frick, Thomas A Glass, Joel Hill, Sylvia McGill, George W. Rebok, Teresa Seeman, James M Tielsch, Barbara A. Wasik, Scott Zeger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

344 Scopus citations

Abstract

This report evaluates whether a program for older volunteers, designed for both generativity and health promotion, leads to short-term improvements in multiple behavioral risk factors and positive effects on intermediary risk factors for disability and other morbidities. The Experience Corps® places older volunteers in public elementary schools in roles designed to meet schools' needs and increase the social, physical, and cognitive activity of the volunteers. This article reports on a pilot randomized trial in Baltimore, Maryland. The 128 volunteers were 60-86 years old, 95% were African American. At follow-up of 4-8 months, physical activity, strength, people one could turn to for help, and cognitive activity increased significantly, and walking speed decreased significantly less, in participants compared to controls. In this pilot trial, physical, cognitive, and social activity increased, suggesting the potential for the Experience Corps to improve health for an aging population and simultaneously improve educational outcomes for children.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)64-78
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Urban Health
Volume81
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004

Keywords

  • Compression of morbidity
  • Generativity
  • Healthy aging
  • Older volunteer
  • Social engagement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Urban Studies
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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