THE COALITION FOR LIVING WELL AFTER 50 Launches at Downtown Event

With a vision to facilitate a community environment in which all people 50 and older may enjoy health and quality of life, The Coalition for Living Well After 50 is excited to announce the May 19, 2004 launch of its web site: www.livingwellafter50.org. Through the generous support of the Robert Johnson Foundation National Blueprint Project, this site has been developed by i-prodesigns to promote healthier, active living among community members over the age of 50.

(PRWEB) May 9, 2004 --Other initiatives that are underway and will be launched at this event include:

• An Active Living Resource Guide of physical activity opportunities in the community.
• A television advertising campaign encouraging older adults to increase their physical activity.
• Informational brochures defining how individuals and organizations can get involved.

Community forums also are in progress to solicit participation in the Coalition from many different sectors of the community, including public and private organizations, diverse cultural and civic groups, the workplace, and the medical community. In addition, educating individual about the benefits of physical activity is a critical component of the Coalitions vision and mission.

The Coalition for Living Well After 50, which serves Tippecanoe County, is an outgrowth of the National Blueprint for Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Age 50 and Older. The blueprint provides a framework for planning, collaborative action, and social change among organizations and agencies interested in improved aging through regular physical activity. Preparing aging Americans for the future by encouraging regular physical activity today will bring health benefits such as extended years independence, reduced disability, and improved quality of life.

The Coalitions mission is to identify and bring together community resources to define, create, promote and sustain activities, programs, and environments that support lifelong activity and health behaviors among people 50 years and older. The steering committee consists of representatives from: Purdue University (Departments of Health and Kinesiology, Foods and Nutrition, Nursing, the Gerontology Program, and the A.H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition); the Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs; Tippecanoe County Council on Aging; Lafayette/West Lafayette Parks and Recreation; Vision 2020; Tippecanoe County Health Department; the Governors Office on Physical Fitness and Sport; Indiana State Department of Health; and the Indiana Public Health Association. To date, more than 50 community partners have affirmed their support for the vision and mission of the Coalition.

So, join the Movement" Movement as the Coalition hosts partner displays of active lifestyle and exercise activity offerings:

May 19, 2004
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Depot at James F. Riehle Plaza
200 N. 2nd Street, Lafayette, IN.

The public is invited to visit displays, talk with fitness experts about activity and aging related issues, take a walk with the mayors of Lafayette and West Lafayette and enjoy live music with a bring-your-own" bag lunch. The Coalition has partnered with the Downtown Business Center and downtown merchants to support the launch by offering specials to people over 50. CityBus will also offer free Trolley rides in the downtown area to support this event.

The Coalition is eager to share their commitment to our community and looks forward to working with a growing segment of organizations, healthcare and service providers, industry experts, private companies and community citizens to improve participation in physical activity.

Please VISIT: www.livingwellafter50.org