Part Three

Solution Resources

In designing any practical project or program for adult [earners, starting with the

Interactive Model of Program Planning (IMPP) benefits everyone supporting the program or

project because the model provides perspectives and influences on the planning or execution of

the program (Caffarel[a & Daffron, 2013, p. 29). Studies show a link between "dietary behavior

and the prevention of 6 out of 10 leading causes of death and disability (Millen et al., 2001, p.

187). Older adults face the daily obstacle of maintaining a healthy weight, requiring the

reassessment of food, activity, and social choices, A practical method to change the behavior is

by designing classes instructing adults on changing their perspective, behavior, and attitude

toward food and a healthy lifestyle (Jones et al., 2019, p.460). A community development

project specifically focused on integrating a local culinary program, an established senior

activity center or group, local places of worship, medical and nutritional professionals, food

markets, local governments and appropriate agencies, and financial institutions may assist adult

learners in improving their lives, their families, increase community health awareness and social

networks, and decrease personal and local medical costs. Cultural, social, political, and

economic influences can affect planning, learning, or instruction regardless of a program or

project.

Older adults are bombarded by social media, advertisements, and medical professionals

to improve their eating habits, moving towards healthier choices. Attempting to demonstrate

how and why to make a change may pose a challenge to the community program or project

planner; however, with their team, strategies will be integrated into the solution aligning with the
resources required to effectively plan and execute the Handshake to Health (H2H) community

development program.

An invaluable and rotating resource for H2H is students from the culinary programs at

local and state colleges and universities or local nutritional or dieticians (Hasan et al., 2019, p.

2). The four-week, one-hour session will be on Saturdays, from 9-10 am, increasing the pool of

available instructors and minimizing interference with regular work and school schedules.

Considering that the culinary program and nutritionists have nutritional focus blocks, the H2H

planner should consider modifying a known successful curriculum to accommodate the

attendees, reducing the resources of time and personnel required to create a course from

scratch. After the individual sessions, the facilitator will survey the students to determine the

session's effectiveness and request participant feedback. The results are to be reviewed and

analyzed by the planner and designated representatives to determine areas of success and

improvement. A recommendation is to incorporate other external organizations, groups, or

familiar resources, such as AARP.

The community development program is seeking members of an established group who

meet the program's criteria: 55+ and a desire to learn healthier dessert options. One favorable

option is a local house of worship, usually equipped with a fellowship hall and a kitchen, to

conduct the sessions. Partnership with the YMCA provides access to an established group of

participants. It may support a current or future nutritional or fitness program, like Zumba Gold,

which is fitness dancing focused on active older adults (YMCA, n.d.). Combining these two

resources allows both groups to interact with new comtnunity members, forge new social

connections, and exchaåge food cultures. A planner can have a target group; however, locating

funding options is a top priority.

 Financing the program is possible from the Georgia Department of Education (GA

DOE), local financial institutions (banks or credit unions), philanthropist, non-profit

organizations, or research divisions of health or medical organizations. There are various

strategies to ensure support for programs from various people and groups (Caffarella & Daffron,

2013, p. 107), and one method is obtaining documentation showing previous support for a

similar program. Between 2009-2010, the GA DOE allocated resources to "implement and

facilitate health literacy training specific to adult education program instructors" (Georgia

Department of

Education, 2010). U.S. Bank currently offers grants to fund programs or projects that support

innovative focus areas for work, home, and play, demonstrated outcomes and impact, and

service delivery to low-and moderate-income women and people of color" (U.S. Bank 2023).

Solidifying the program funding is only part of the financial portion of the program; ensuring

participants have access to healthy food options is the other piece.

One current option is for H2H to partner with the Georgia Food For Health program

(GF4H). The program "promotes affordable access to fruits and vegetables and partners with

healthcare providers, community organizations, and fresh produce retailers" (Wholesome Wave

Georgia, n.d.). The benefits of partnering with GF4H include an established curriculum,

instructors/facilitators, markets, and shops for participants to patronize and support local farmers

and businesses, resulting in healthier minds and bodies. An alternative is partnering with local

markets and farmers to showcase their harvest or inventory that aligns with participant-selected

recipes, using healthier choices. Included in the partnership are videos telling the story of the

farmer or business and their connection to the community development program. Either option
removes the significant financial burden from a sole source and encourages the continued

expansion of community partnerships.

Solution Influences

In the initial planning, learning, and instructing of H2H, there are cultural, social,

political, and economic influences to consider. Cultural norms to acknowledge, include the foods

associated with specific times of the year (i.e., black eyed peas for New Years in the African

American community), special preparation or religious observances (halal/Hanukkah), or

restrictions (dairy) and "without this support, planners may hit brick walls" (Caffarella &

Daffron, 2013, p. 66). Research finds a direct connection between cultures embracing cooking

with healthy food choices and fewer medical issues resulting from poor eating habits and food

choices (Gatley, 2016, p.40).

A social influence is the continued ideology that cooking is a female's responsibility,

forcing planners to consider addressing childcare since non-school aged children may

accompany the participant. Studies reveal food choices and eating habits are influenced by the

number of people within that space and their food choices (European Food Information Council,

2023), One study notes the increase of physical activity among African American when a social

component is present, either a partner or friends (Florez, et. al, 2018). H2H planners

acknowledge certain social groups are located in food desserts, areas where households, without

vehicles and food stores are more than one-half mile away (U.S. Department of Agriculture,

2023). Coordination with participants in selecting a final recipe as early as possible minimizes

the ingredients not being available or determining an alternate ingredient or recipe. Incorporation

and respect of participant cultural and social norms increases learner participation and trust in
the program, encouraging future enrollment and offering positive reviews of the sessions to

community members and stakeholders. Economics are an influence because studies present the

correlation between higher earning income adults and multiple options of food choices and

purchase locations. The program planners will learn the economic makeup of the participants

after registration is complete and coordination between participants requiring assistance and

partners will be provided. Regardless of a participant's culture, social, or economic position in

the community, H2H's mission is to assist and guide participants to learn about healthier

ingredient alternatives for their favorite recipes and improve overall health.

Conclusion

H2H is a program focused on improving the mind and body of a local community. The

partnerships created to execute the program will serve as a framework for other community

development programs and joining other successful programs. Working with adult learners 55

years and over is the starting point; however, turning the focus on young adults (18-23) who

cook and "satisfy dietary recommendations" may lower the number of unhealthy older adults in

the coming years (Gatley, 2015, p. 41). Incorporating local partnerships (schools and

professionals), technology (social media, videos, and filming the participants), and learner

participation (pre-, during, and post-feedback methods) from the beginning leads to a successful

program, achieving the desired outcomes of the community. H2H is poised to fill the gap

between the community and a healthier future.