Key Takeaways

  • The WISE program empowers older adults to advocate for their own health, make healthy lifestyle choices, and navigate use of medications and substances like alcohol.

  • WISE is a national program and has been presented in many states across the country since 1996.  

  • Find out how WISE helps older adults improve the psychological well-being, knowledge, and attitudes about aging, including the knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of depression.

The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program celebrates healthy aging and educates older adults on a variety of topics including safe medication use, the aging process, communicating effectively with healthcare providers, and strategies for making healthy lifestyle choices. WISE facilitators are trained by NJPN and engage participants in interactive and informative lessons.  

  • The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program participants:
    • Learn about the aging process and how to make healthy lifestyle choices.
    • Celebrate this exciting stage of life and all the benefits that come with it.
    • Discuss risk factors and behaviors older adults should avoid to stay healthy.
    • Examine how alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications affect seniors differently and how they can avoid misuse.
    • Learn how to use simple tools to feel more empowered about their health and healthcare.
  • Target audience:  Adults age 55+
  • Health outcomes:
    • Increased knowledge about the ability of the body to metabolize alcohol and medications as we age.
    • Improvements in psychological well-being, knowledge and attitudes about aging, knowledge of the interaction between medications and alcohol, and knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of depression.
    • Increase in the frequency in which participants engaged in positive health and health care behaviors.
    • Increase in the frequency in which participants engaged in positive medication management.
  • Delivered by: Trained facilitators who work in pairs to co-present the curriculum
  • Program type: Group
  • Format: In person in a community setting, online, telephone
  • Length: 6 weekly sessions
  • Training: Facilitators attend a 2-day training hosted by NJPN
  • Professional required: No
  • Accessibility adaptations available: N/A
  • Cultural Adaptations available: N/A 
  • Available in languages other than English: Spanish
  • Topic(s):
    • Healthy Aging
    • Alcohol & Prescription Drug Misuse
  • Additional Resources: 

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