Are you enjoying the benefits of exercise and being physically fit and looking for an opportunity to spread the word to encourage others to benefit as well? Little Company of Mary Hospital and San Pedro Peninsula Hospital are looking for volunteers ages 50+ to do just that through their ACTIVE AGING PROGRAM, a unique approach aimed at encouraging sedentary older adults to become more active.

This model matches active adults with those striving to become more active for a peer support system. Volunteers are provided with training covering areas such as aging and physical activity, behavior change theory and communication skills. Trained volunteer "Support Buddies" then provide ongoing telephone contact to their participants to provide motivation, encouragement and guidance in developing individual goals and overcoming barries to becoming more active.

This non-traditional approach is part of a Demonstration Project through the California Department of Health Services and UC/San Francisco. Little Company of Mary Health Services, through its two hospitals, has been involved in the project since January 1999.

NOT ACTIVE YET, BUT WANT TO GET THERE? The Active Aging Program is also enrolling participants who would like the support and encouragement of a "Suport Buddy"

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OR TO ENROLL AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE ACTIVE AGING PROGRAM, PLEASE CALL MONICA GORDON AT (310) 543-6799