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Colleagues,
The January-February issue of FUNCTIONAL U, a publication of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), came to us via e-mail this week. The issue is devoted to exercise and activities for healthy aging in older adults. There were four articles on topics including: the use of chairs as valuable equipment; techniques to encourage progress; physical activity for a healthy weight; and, an overview of five innovative wellness programs. Three highlights worthy of mentioning follow:
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In an article on techniques to encourage progress, the writer comments: "Sometimes one of the biggest challenges we face is overcoming the fear, embarrassment and other concerns that stop residents from participating...one way we have found to encourage increased participation has been to develop a rewards program for our residents." (page 9) The writer goes on to describe a friendly competition: residents who attend a specified number of exercise classes within a specified time period are rewarded with a Healthy Rewards Luncheon. "Residents are encouraging each other to attend exercise class so they can go to the luncheon together!"
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A profile on the program, 100 Ways to Wellness, Dare to Make a Change. The program encouraged residents, family members and staff to eat better, stay active, volunteer, learn new things, and make environmentally-friendly choices, and to do as many of the tasks/activities within a six month period. (page 14)Residents were given journals that contained the list of activities (e.g., invite a neighbor for coffee; learn to use e-mail; plant a seed and help it grow; write your congressman about an issue that concerns you, etc.) and encouraged to document their experience. As a culminating event, residents were encouraged to reflect on a favorite activity, biggest challenges and best accomplishments.
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A profile on the program, Get Fit for Space. The program challenged residents on accumulating 211 miles (340 kilometers) in physical activity in six months -- the distance to the International Space Station. Steps via pedometers and all movement activities (i.e., exercise classes and swimming) were converted (using a formula) into miles. There were four phases: Get Fit for Space, The Race to Space, Exploring Space, and Back to Earth. "It became easier to sustain motivation when staff and residents heard success stories. For instance, a 93-year old walked over 534 miles and has become something of a local celebrity!" (page 15)
Happy healthy aging!
Sincerely,
Neil Beresin
Program Manager
COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging
An integrated assessment tool and person-centered process to advance healthy aging and improve outcomes. On the web at collageaging.org.
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