Programs & Services - Heart and Soul

Heart & Soul is an interactive health education program focused on heart-healthy living. It is the only program in Philadelphia that involves adults in improving their heart health through a joint focus on nutrition and exercise. We conduct classes and presentations at centers in Philadelphia communities where adults are increasingly at risk for diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions related to heart disease.

The primary goal of the Heart & Soul program is to encourage participants to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, including disease management, good eating habits and regular exercise. Rather than simply offering another fad diet or weight-loss program, the effects of which tend to be very temporary, we encourage participants to make simple changes that become habits for the rest of their lives. Over the course of the program, participants show an increase in knowledge about healthy behaviors in the areas of nutrition and fitness, and many are able to indicate specific lifestyle improvements they have made because of the program. Heart & Soul staff also conduct regular blood pressure screenings for program participants, and are able to identify those with elevated levels and connect them with an appropriate primary care provider.

One key to Heart & Soul’s success is that participant input helps shape the curriculum.  Activities and materials are tailored to meet the interests, needs and abilities of each class. In the areas of both nutrition and exercise, we offer a wide variety of services:

• Nutrition – The instructor guides participants through the basics of nutrition, including different types of fat, the benefits of eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables, limiting dietary sodium, and more. Specific food suggestions are taken from neighborhood grocery stores, and staff can even lead participants on a “nutrition tour” of the stores where they shop. Healthy snacks are provided at each class to introduce participants to new foods. Demonstrations of simple healthy cooking techniques can also be provided as the site facility allows.

• Exercise – Most classes follow a video-facilitated indoor walking series. This low-impact workout is perfect for older adults, those with health problems, or those who are just starting to incorporate exercise into their routines. Weather permitting, groups may choose to walk outside on “field trips” to sites such as Reading Terminal Market or the Philadelphia Zoo. Other types of exercise videos are also used to provide workouts for various ability levels, from chair exercises for the elderly to Pilates and yoga workouts for more active adults. Outside facilitators are also available to lead classes in more specialized activities like line dancing or tae bo.

Heart & Soul is a program of the National Nursing Centers Consortium.