Are you offering the PATH program again this spring?

Yes we are. PATH, the acronym for Personal Actions To Health, is being offered to individuals older than 55. The 8-week course runs from Feb. 18 to April 17. It will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive.

This nutrition and exercise program is designed to help older adults develop a healthier lifestyle. The name, Personal Actions To Health, was chosen to emphasize the fact that our personal actions — particularly our eating and physical activity behaviors — have a profound affect on our health. Personal actions also helps point out that each of us has the ability and responsibility to take actions to maintain our own health.

The program features the following four components:

• Healthy Eating for Life. A nutrition education series designed to help you learn how to modify and practice new food habits to protect or improve your health and quality of life.
• The Benefits of Exercise. Linking strength and flexibility exercises to improving personal health. Topics will include arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular health and lifestyle management.
• Low-fat cooking. Sampling a variety of new tastes in food using healthy cooking procedures will be enjoyed.
• Let’s Exercise. Flexibility and strength-building exercises will be led during the group workout during each session.

In addition, a Functional Fitness Assessment that measures an individual’s current fitness level will be completed both before and after the eight-week program.

Who is sponsoring this PATH program?

Developed in cooperation with the Kansas Health Foundation and K-State Research and Extension, PATH is being sponsored by a local coalition whose purpose is to promote physical fitness and nutrition education activities among older adults in the county. Agencies represented in the coalition are the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, K-State Research and Extension — Douglas County, Douglas County Senior Services Inc., KU Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence Parks and Recreation, and Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority.

We also have three partnering agencies that are instrumental in the success of the program. They include the First Baptist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church and Dillons.

So how do I find out more information about this course?

That’s easy. For more information, call me at 843-7058. You also may contact one of the following: Shirley Grubbs, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, 843-0721; Jessie Kwatamdia, Douglas County Senior Services, 842-0543; or Jo Ellis, Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department — South Park, 832-7930.

Is there anything else I need to know about enrolling in the course?

Because we do require a doctor’s consent for you to participate in this 8-week course, it’s important for you to register by Feb. 4. A minimal registration fee of $10 is being charged. However, no one will be denied services due to inability to pay. Health assessment and physician’s consent forms will be mailed to each participant following receipt of your registration and must be returned by Feb. 13. Registration forms are available from any of the coalition agencies. We are limiting enrollment so it’s important to register soon.

Also, transportation is available by contacting the Douglas County Senior Services Inc. at 842-6272.

You also may be interested in knowing that a PATH exercise group has evolved as a result of participation in this course. They continue to exercise twice a week. In addition to enjoying some friendly camaraderie, those participating have shown an increase in flexibility, strength, endurance, agility, balance and coordination.