Age-Tastic!™ is an effective and entertaining health and wellness 8-week 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: 1 (2 recommended) trained lay leader/facilitator, certified health coach, physical therapist, occupational therapist, trained care consultant, substance abuse specialist, nurse, registered dietitian, certified fitness instructor, social worker/mental health therapist, pharmacist, community health worker, or anyone trained/certified in the program.

Training: 2 full days or 3 half-days; available remote/Virtual, In-Person, or On-Demand.

Program Type: Group

Format: In-Person in Community

Length: 8 weeks, one 1-hour session per week

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
• Other (please specify):
  • Financial exploitation, fraud and scams, nutrition, exercise, heart disease, diabetes mellitus

Data collection requirements: Yes, during first two cycles of implementation

Contact: Dr. Jackie Berman jberman@agging.nyc.gov