One unfortunate side effect of the coronavirus pandemic has been the isolation felt by our senior population. While necessary to protect the elderly from covid-19, isolation can be devastating to mental health. To combat this, the Scott County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) hosted a step challenge to combine physical activity with social distancing.

To limit physical contact, NEP partnered with The Scott County Senior Center who were already delivering daily meals to seniors during Healthy At Home orders. NEP created a physical activity packet to be delivered with meals. Included in each packet was: Seasoned Magazine, NEP handouts on physical activity, recipes, a drawing from a child to brighten their day, a pedometer, and finally a letter inviting them to participate in a 10 day step challenge.

Seniors were encouraged to reach out to each other for motivation and to call the Scott County Extension Office for more information and resources. The winner would be the person with the most recorded steps at the end of the 10 day challenge.

The winner, after noticing an improvement in in her mood, committed to using her pedometer when weather allowed and calling her friends from the senior center to check in and motivate them to get moving!