They hold hands as they’re walking.
Laughter and conversation flow
freely between them. Although separated
by several decades, Kristin Franze, 24,
and Larry Norve, 71, are good friends.

Franze, a Community Health Major
at the University of North Florida, and
Norve, an Alzheimer’s patient at Hope
Adult Day Services in Jacksonville
Beach, are participating in an
intergenerational eight-week pilot program
called Be HeadSmart, Seniors!

With support from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc. (BIAF) recruited 15 students from the University of North Florida to act as “walking buddies” for approximately 90 seniors at senior centers throughout Duval County. The program’s goal was twofold: 1) to increase the amount of walking by seniors, thereby increasing their strength and decreasing the risk of falls and injury, and 2) to encourage intergenerational understanding and communication.

“With falls now the number one cause of injury and death, it’s important that people ages 60+ take action to reduce their risk of falling and the devastating traumatic brain injuries that can result,” said Sandra G. Dreker, Director of Prevention, Education and Outreach for Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc.

“Regular walking improves balance and improved balance means fewer falls. Once we’ve measured the success of the program in Duval County, we’re hoping the Department of Elder Affairs will support a statewide effort.”

Carol J. Neil, RN, MSN is President of Hope Adult Day Services, a social and medical alternative to long-term care that allows elderly and challenged individuals to remain at home with their caregivers at night and on weekends, while enjoying nutritious meals and healthy group activities on weekdays. “We focus a lot on exercise, so we already do a lot of walking and even Yoga therapy,” said Neil, “but this program puts a special sparkle in the eyes of our patients. They love the one-on-one attention they get from the students while walking!”

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The above article was adapted from a story in the 2006 edition of
Brainwaves, BIAF's statewide newsletter.
Click Here to download Brainwaves / Summer 2006 (pdf)

Susan D. Brandenburg wrote the original article in June 2006
for the Florida Times Union in Jacksonville. 

Larry Norve and Kristin Franze
from Jacksonville share experiences
while walk