Banner–University Family Care gives Community Reinvestment Award to fund college’s arts for health program for older adults
The college’s WHOLISTIC program, designed to support health and wellness in older adults through Tai Chi and artistic movement, received a Community Reinvestment Award from Banner – University Family Care. Photo left-to-right: Dean Iman Hakim, Karla Bennington, Dr. Yunjia Yang, Dr. Chris Childers, Dr. Sandra Stein, Jody Gardner, Dr. Zhao Chen.
The college’s WHOLISTIC program (Wellness, Health, and Opportunities for Living Successfully with Tai Chi and Artistic Movement), designed to support health and wellness in older adults, received a Community Reinvestment Award from Banner – University Family Care.
The WHOLISTIC program brings together Physical Therapists, public health professionals, researchers, clinicians, dance educators, and community partners. In collaboration with Banner Health, the WHOLISTIC team will develop and implement movement programs for older adults with chronic health conditions. The program specifically focuses on individuals enrolled in Banner-University Family Care who require ongoing support after hospitalization or injury.
Led by Dr. Yunjia Yang, the WHOLISTIC program offers a timely, evidence-based, resident-centered intervention that addresses the multifaceted needs of older adults in the Banner long-term health residence setting: physical balance/mobility, cognitive vitality, emotional well-being, social engagement, and meaningful arts movement. It aligns with the best-practice paradigm of healthy aging, meets urgent needs in long-term care environments, and offers clear benefits to both residents and the organizational system.
The WHOLISTIC team at the U of A’s Zuckerman College of Public Health is very grateful for the support from the team at Banner-University Family Care, including Dr. Sandra Stein, Chief Medical Officer, Banner University Health Plans; Jody Gardner, Director of Community Impact and Partnerships; and Karla Bennington, Case Management Manager.
WHOLISTIC program personnel:
Yunjia Yang, PhD, Principal Investigator
Zhao Chen, PhD, MPH, Co-Investigator
Christine Childers, PhD, Co-Investigator