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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2450 |
| Elderly Fitness Program |
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| Requester: |
Danielle Beauvais, Ph.D |
Organization: |
Beauvais Global Corp. |
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| Project Title: |
Elderly Fitness Program |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 12:42:54 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Wilson |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Beauvais Global provides tai chi exercise services to the underprivileged Elders in areas in the county which have been identified as having difficulties with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL�s) and their Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL�s). Based on the Department of Elders Affairs (DOEA) report on the Miami-Dade County Level Data;it indicates that the population of Elders that are 60+ are more than 414,608. More than 86,923 (20%) in poverty, 94,148 (22.7%) are low income<125% of poverty level, 30,661 (7.4%) are mobility self care limitation, 81,806 (19.7%) that are living alone and 45,520 (10.1%) probably suffer from Alzheimer�s disease and only 37,530 that are enrolled in all DOEA Programs combined. Thus, Beauvais Global Corp.�s services enhance individual activity of daily living (ADL) and self dependency amongst the elderly aged 65 or older in order to delay or even eliminate premature nursing home placement. |
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| Recipient: |
Danielle Beauvais |
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Contact: |
Danielle Beauvais |
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1190 NE 125 Street, Suite 25 |
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Contact Phone: |
(786) 287-7622 |
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North Miami 33161 |
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Contact email: |
drbeauvais1@yahoo.com |
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| Counties: |
Miami-Dade |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Beauvais Global Corporation is seeking assistance from the state of Florida in order to provide Tai Chi exercise to the frail, low income elderly individuals that are physically and mentally challenged throughout Miami-Dade County in order to eliminate or delay premature nursing home placement. Our target population is 65 and older throughout Miami-Dade County. The need is assessed based on research from �Mayo Clinic� which shows that for older adults, in particular, practicing Tai Chi regularly may reduce stress, increase flexibility, improve muscle strength, increase energy, improve balance and coordination, reducing the number of falls, and relieve chronic pain. Moreover, data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicate that among non-institutionalized people over the age of 70, 20% had difficulty with at least one activity of daily living (ADL); between 7-10% had trouble with more than one ADLThe level of disability increases with age, and is greater in women than in men. The aging process affects the whole body, resulting in decreased reserve capacity and impaired ability to adapt to environmental changes. Decreased muscle mass, strength and flexibility are often seen in the musculoskeletal system. Increased postural sway, prolonged reaction time, and decreased righting reflex make the elderly more susceptible to falls. These changes are typically also associated with de-conditioning due to reduced physical activity. The combination of aging and de-conditioning leads to a functional decline. In addition, each year almost one-third of those over the age of 65 sustain a fall. The consequences can be significant: 10-15% result in serious injuries, such as fractures and soft tissue injuries. The fear of subsequent falls may lead to immobility, isolation, and weakness. Moreover, falls account for 23% of all injury deaths among people over 65. Risk factors for falls include illness, medications, environmental hazards, changes associated with aging, and social/lifestyle elements.A previous fall is a significant risk factor for another fall.. In addition to the aforementioned, according to a study published by the Journal of Rheumatology (Sept 2003) has shown the Program Tai chi for Arthritis to be effective and safe. A group of women with osteoarthritis (OA) did tai chi for 12 weeks were compared to a control group who received only standard treatment. The tai chi group reported 30% less pain and 30% improvement in their abilities to carry out their daily activities, as well as improved balance.Tai chi is a gentle relaxing exercise that promotes concentration of left brain, right brain, movement of the bones and massaging the internal organs with sequential slow hand foot coordinated movements. Initially, Tai Chi was created between 300 and 700 years ago in China, although the concept of yin yang or balance of negative positive poles of the human body originated from ancient Egypt traveled through India and continued to China. Tai Chi Chuan literally means "supreme ultimate fist," and it was initially created as a form of shadow boxing and then a martial art to ward off invaders. Later, it became incorporated into body control and mind-body interaction. Harmony and the balance of opposites in nature and the human body are dominant themes in the practice of Tai Chi. Practicing Tai Chi involves keeping the body extended and relaxed while the mind is alert, but calm. It involves well-coordinated sequences of events, with whole body rotational movements and a progressively decreasing base of support. Movement is continuous, but always controlled.In conclusion, Tai Chi has been shown to have positive results in both men and women, young and old, after both short-term and long-term practice. Positive effects are seen in the areas of balance, strength, flexibility, blood pressure and episodes of falls. These benefits of Tai Chi may be used to forestall the changes associated with aging and help reduce the prevalence of falls that lead to serious injury. Relaxation is a critical component of Tai Chi. After performing Tai Chi, subjects have reported feeling less tension, anger, fatigue, and depression Other studies have shown increased sense of well-being and more confidence, leading to better overall quality of life. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| The funding will be used to provide continuous Tai Chi Exercise services to a minimum of 200 unduplicated clients for a number of 624 hours per year throughout Miami-Dade County. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$100,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$100,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
None |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$100,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
DOEA, Miami Dade County Level Data |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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No |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
