Age-Tastic!™ is an effective and entertaining health and wellness program for older adults that embeds gameplay, group facilitated discussions, and “try it at home” activities to significantly increase knowledge, self-efficacy, and healthy behaviors. Any older adult interested in health and wellness is welcome to participate. Developed by the New York City Department for the Aging, the program embeds gameplay, group-facilitated discussions, and “try it at home” activities through which statistically significant increases in knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors occur.
The Age-Tastic!™ program consists of five modules: emotional wellbeing, physical fitness and falls prevention, fraud protection and financial mistreatment, nutrition, and how to communicate with doctors and manage medication. Game theory was employed to develop the game component of the program, incorporating concepts such as reward systems, chance components, and competition.
Target Audience: Older adults interested in health and wellness
Health Outcomes:
- Significant improvements in knowledge
- Significant improvements in self-efficacy
- Significant changes in health and wellness behaviors
Delivered By: One to two (recommended) trained lay leaders/facilitators, certified health coaches, physical therapists, occupational therapists, trained care consultants, substance abuse specialists, nurses, registered dietitians, certified fitness instructors, social workers/mental health therapists, pharmacists, community health workers, or anyone trained/certified in the program
Training: Two full days or three half-days; available remote/virtual, in-person, or on-demand
Program Type: Group
Format: In-person in community
Length: Eight weeks; once a week for one hour
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIAL: “The most important activity was learning about how to communicate with my doctor. I have become more assertive now!”
Professional Required: No
Accessibility adaptations available: Yes
Cultural adaptations available: Yes
Available in languages other than English: Spanish and Chinese
Topic(s):
- Physical Activity
- Substance Use
- Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia
- Behavioral Health
- Caregiver Support
- Falls Prevention
- Medication Management
- Financial Exploitation
- Fraud and Scams
- Nutrition
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus
Data collection requirements: Yes, during first two cycles of implementation
Contact: Dr. Jackie Berman jberman@agging.nyc.gov
