In July of 1996, the U.S. Surgeon General, being the highest authority in the medical community, released a report on Physical Activity and Health.  This report stated: Warning, lack of physical activity is detrimental to your health.  Exercise is essential for living.  Every American should get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 5 days a week.  These were the guidelines set by the U.S. government.  This past year, the Institute of Medicine comes out and says we now need 60 minutes of exercise, 7 days a week.  Things have nearly doubled, however despite the overwhelming benefits of exercising, physical inactivity still remains a nationwide problem and changing an inactive person into an active person can be quite a challenging task.

Presently more than 30 million U.S. citizens are over the age of 65.  As a result of medical advances and increased life expectancy, it is anticipated that by the year 2040 almost 13 million people in the U.S. will be 85 years of age or older.  People are living longer, but this does not necessarily mean that the older population is healthier.  The aging process often brings chronic conditions, such as diabetes, strokes, and arthritis, which can limit an individual’s function.  Additionally, as older adults decrease their activity level and lose strength, they may be unable to perform the basic and important activities of daily living.  This does not have to be the case however.

So how do we as health care professionals, enhance and maintain healthy habits throughout the lifespan of older adults, especially those in a controlled environment like an independent or assisted living facility?  Well, by establishing a comprehensive health and fitness program, which meets this challenge.

Simply stated, the goals and objectives of a well thought out program is to allow individuals to live independently for a longer period of time by reducing the amount of assistance needed for daily activities while improving the quality of their lives.  Addressing the emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development of the participant does this.

The wellness program should offer a wide variety of classes like strength training, aquatics, chair exercises, stretching, tai chi, yoga, walking trails and adding some sort of incentive prizes such as t-shirts, mugs, water bottles etc. as motivation will allow for greater retention and increased participation.  The programs need to be appropriate for individuals of all functional levels regardless of their functional ability.  This will contribute significantly to the success of your program.  In addition to addressing the social, physical and emotional needs, you can also teach older adults how to achieve and maintain overall wellness through lectures or having an informative bulletin board which may include education on nutrition, exercise, stress, weight management etc. and plenty of handouts on self care help.

We know that physical inactivity leads to a growing decline in the efficiency of the muscles and older adults who are sedentary become unable to perform the activities of daily living.  Therefore, the dramatic need for exercise is essential.  Mental attitude and mood are strongly influenced by physical activity.  Wellness programs allow individuals to feel more confident in their abilities to carry out daily tasks.  The exercises develop body awareness and a greater appreciation of overall good health.  These programs enable older adults the opportunity to face new challenges daily.  Emotional issues and concerns such as feelings of isolation, depression and frustration can sometimes be more troubling than our physical problems.  Regular exercise can significantly improve self-esteem, depression and body image while ridding the mind of negative thoughts.  Socially, exercising together creates cohesiveness, promotes joyful interaction and releases stress.  The social gathering and interaction amongst participants promotes exercise adherence.  They enjoy being with people of their own age and sharing a lot of the same interests.  Music of the Big Band era can also provide older adults motivation while allowing them to reminisce about their younger days.

Physical activity provides participants not only with more energy but also minimizes aches and pains as well as providing the feeling of empowerment over many changes occurring in their bodies.  Even though these individuals are retired and their once hectic schedules have now slowed, they continue to experience stress.  Many of these folks continue to lead active lives and are involved in various clubs and organizations.  Exercise classes, along with other activity, promote feelings of accomplishment and productivity once provided by a career.  However, it is exercise that provides the release of emotional, physical and spiritual stress necessary to cultivate additional energy for the many other activities.

Spiritually, exercise not only provides a release of stress but also teaches participants to focus internally on the messages their body provides regarding health and healing.  It heightens their kinesthetic sense and enables them to tune into their body.  This facilitates any necessary adaptation to daily activity.  Additionally the endorphin release produces feelings of calm euphoria.  The camaraderie encouraged by these classes nourishes both the body and soul.  Participants have the ability to learn about their bodies and almost all have come to an understanding that inspite their age, they can still make gains and improve the quality of their life.

Emphasis of your program should be on the use of exercise to promote physical and mental wellbeing, while offering a unique opportunity for joyful social interaction, laughter and continued activity.  Physical self-confidence and self-image improve, new friendships formed, and there is a cheerful social interaction to counter loneliness and withdrawal.  It will make all who take part feel young and lively.  The reasoning for regular exercise is to prolong independence.  No one desires dependent living and the need for specialized care.  Quality of life, continued independence and self-sufficiency in the older years may be of greater concern than focusing on increased longevity.  We know that the quality of older years is greatly influence by how we live. Regular exercise combined with good nutrition is the foundation for maintaining wellness and independence as long as possible.

Stay focused and dedicated to promoting and implementing programs that maintain and support the individual’s optimal independence and life wishes.  Try to continuously develop innovative programs and services, which respond to the changing needs of your participants and the community is serves.