I thought you would be interested in hearing about the program with which I am involved. I work at the Dorothy Garske Center in Tempe, Arizona. Dorothy Garske, after whom the center is named, was an innovator who looked at the concepts of aging and retirement very differently from most. Fifteen years ago her retirement communities featured computers and computer education, and where other retirement centers might offer a kidney shaped lounging pool; Dorothy built a lap pool. Dorothy felt the key to successful living for seniors was health promotion and that ongoing physical activity was the most significant factor in successful aging.

We created a program called WalkArizona! of which I am the project Director. Other programs have been born and continue to flourish under the WalkArizona! umbrella including the 'Get Fit-Stay Fit Challenge', which has recently celebrated its 10th year. WalkArizona! promotes all types of aerobic & non-aerobic activities and to be regular with whatever activities one chooses.

Many parts of Arizona can be looked at as being unfriendly to walkers. The sun can be punishingly hot, and most communities are designed for cars, not pedestrians. A drive around Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix or Scottsdale will not reveal many people on foot. Moreover, people are becoming increasingly concerned about their personal safety. All these concerns are multiplied for seniors.

My challenge was to get my seniors out of their cars and off their golf carts and using their legs. In previous decades and centuries, walking was just a natural part of staying alive, it wasn't something you had to plan for or promote. But times have changed, and I found people were much more likely to move if we created a cultural and social environment where walking and exercise were supported and acknowledged.

I will use anything that works to promote movement. We use slogans and poems, we create awards and recognition, we set targets and goals, we encourage people to record their mileage and use pedometers and we do everything we can to make the experience enjoyable and fun.

A Promotional Poem

Too hot? Too cold? Don't want to exercise at all? If the weather doesn't suit you then walk in the mall!
If you're going some place, that isn't far, use your feet and not the car.
Each day you go, make the distance longer. Before you know it, your body will be stronger!
Remember, feed your body, food is your fuel. But mealtime seconds, is not the rule.

You want to be healthy, you want to live life, yet we face each day with some stress and strife.
Your mental attitude is your power play. Feel good about yourself, each and every day.

Listen to your body, take care of all the parts. Walk each day and do your part.
By taking care of yourself, you'll live life with zest! Each day you wake up, you will be your best!
So don't put it off, no more excuses or talk, -- do it right now, Take Yourself for a Walk!

• Under the umbrella of WalkArizona! is the Get Fit‚Stay Fit Challenge. This year, the Challenge celebrated ten years of helping participants to start or maintain a habit of regular physical activity.
• Get Fit‚Stay Fit Challenge program is enthusiastically received by senior adults who participate in various exercise activities, three or more times a week, during six months to qualify for incentives, group awards and individual prizes.
• The Challenge has grown from 500 participants in 13 senior adult communities to over 7,350 participants in 61 communities.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze awards we give are very meaningful to most of our participants. When you think of it, people get awards for bridge, golf, flower arrangements and cooking contests and are delighted to receive recognition that they are looking after their personal fitness.

One program, which has been a great success, is to relate the cumulative walking people to do a specific distance or trail. We've had people "Hiking the Canyon" (ie the Grand Canyon), "Along the Arizona Trail -- border to border for better health" and "Hike the Superstition Wilderness".

We feel we must be doing something right as the number of participants is increasing each year and the program itself has received awards from the Arizona Public Health Association, the Health Promotion Institute of the National Council on Aging and the Arizona Governor's Council on Health and Physical Fitness.

Everyone wants to know about cost and there is no registration fee. We're told that "there's no such thing as a free lunch", but there is a free activity program in Arizona.

Senior communities and groups receive a Challenge Leaders Kit and materials to implement the Challenge in their community. The Challenge can be modified for Work groups, school programs, and communities outside the state of Arizona.

At Dorothy Garske Center, we are continually inspired each year, as we learn about success stories of weight loss, health improvement, strength gain, overall improvement on mobility and living independently. Participants tell us that physicians are blown away by the renewed fitness and vigor of some of their patients.

For additional information about Dorothy Garske Center and the programs we offer, check out our website.

Keep Fit -- Stay Healthy -- Keep Walking!

Contact Katie Stone, B.Sc. CHES Project Director, WalkArizona! 480-966-2675 email: kt@dgcenter.org Write: Dorothy Garske Center 2140 E. 5th St. #8 Tempe, AZ 85281