Champions of an Older Adult Exercise Program: Believers, Promoters, and Recruiters

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 728-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina E. Miyawaki ◽  
Basia Belza ◽  
Marlana J. Kohn ◽  
Miruna Petrescu-Prahova
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Program Delivery ◽  
Vital Part ◽  
Successful Program ◽  
Program Adoption ◽  
Evidence Based Programs

Champions, who support, market, and promote programs, are a vital part of successful program adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Enhance®Fitness (EF) is an evidence-based, community-delivered group exercise program for older adults. Using semistructured phone interviews with 20 participants, 17 instructors, and 15 staff, we explored the roles of champions in adopting, implementing, and maintaining EF at YMCA-affiliated sites. Interviews revealed EF champions play critical roles in program dissemination. Champions are outgoing, passionate, and enthusiastic about EF. They believe in the program and its benefits (believers), are “walking advertisements” (promoters), and have magnetic personalities, persuading newcomers to join (recruiters). EF champions were not purposefully selected but naturally arose during the course of program delivery. Community sites adopting evidence-based programs can foster and support champions by engaging with them, and capitalizing on their energy as an emerging resource throughout the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of programs.

scholarly journals Using Inclusive Design to Develop a Tele–Tai Chi Intervention for Older Adults With Long-Term Mobility Disability

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 599-600
Author(s):  
Tracy Mitzner ◽  
Elena Remillard ◽  
Kara Cohen ◽  
Jordan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Software Developer ◽  
Master Trainer ◽  
Evidence Based Programs ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Tele-technologies may be able to increase access to evidence-based exercise interventions for adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities. This population experiences substantial barriers in attending such programs in person, including lack of transportation to classes, inaccessible buildings where classes are held, and lack of appropriate modifications offered for this population of older adults. It is critical to overcome such barriers to ensure this population has an opportunity to receive the benefits of evidence-based programs. In this study we are translating an in-person evidence-based tai chi intervention, Tai Chi for Arthritis, to an online platform using videoconferencing software for those aging with long-term mobility disabilities. We will describe our approach of including users from the target population and industry representatives (videoconferencing software developer, Tai Chi for Arthritis program developer as well as local master trainer) in the adaptation of the intervention and present the key findings from doing so.

scholarly journals Rapid Transition to Telehealth Group Exercise and Functional Assessments in Response to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 233372142098031
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Jennings ◽  
Kenneth M. Manning ◽  
Janet Prvu Bettger ◽  
Katherine M. Hall ◽  
Megan Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Functional Assessments ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Rapid Transition ◽  
Exercise Classes

Exercise is critical for health maintenance in late life. The COVID-19 shelter in place and social distancing orders resulted in wide-scale interruptions of exercise therapies, placing older adults at risk for the consequences of decreased mobilization. The purpose of this paper is to describe rapid transition of the Gerofit facility-based group exercise program to telehealth delivery. This Gerofit-to-Home (GTH) program continued with group-based synchronous exercise classes that ranged from 1 to 24 Veterans per class and 1 to 9 classes offered per week in the different locations. Three hundred and eight of 1149 (27%) Veterans active in the Gerofit facility-based programs made the transition to the telehealth delivered classes. Participants’ physical performance testing continued remotely as scheduled with comparisons between most recent facility-based and remote testing suggesting that participants retained physical function. Detailed protocols for remote physical performance testing and sample exercise routines are described. Translation to remote delivery of exercise programs for older adults could mitigate negative health effects.

Increasing Student Empathy Toward Older Adults Using the Virtual Dementia Tour

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. S-23-S-40
Author(s):  
Jana Donahoe ◽  
Lisa Moon ◽  
Kathy VanCleave
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Student Knowledge ◽  
Course Content

Educators know too well the challenges of teaching BSW students about social work practice with older adults. Students hesitate to work with older adults due to personal fears about aging, lack of experiences with this population, or stereotypical misconceptions about older adults and nursing homes. It is apparent that many students have difficulty empathizing with older adults because they have never experienced what it is like to be an older adult with dementia. A solution to this problem is incorporating an immersive experiential learning simulation called the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) into BSW course content. The findings indicate that the VDT was an effective evidence-based learning tool for increasing student knowledge about aging and improving their empathy and sensitivity toward older adults with dementia.

Technology support challenges and recommendations for adapting an evidence-based exercise program for virtual delivery to older adults: Mixed-methods study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Gell ◽  
Elise Hoffman ◽  
Kushang Patel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Technology Support ◽  
Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Technology Orientation ◽  
Exercise Classes

BACKGROUND Tele-exercise has emerged as a way for older adults to participate in group exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little is known about the technology support needs of older adults for accessing tele-exercise. OBJECTIVE Examine the interests and needs of older adults for transition to tele-exercise, 2) Identify barriers and facilitators of tele-exercise uptake and continued participation, and 3) Describe technology support challenges and successes encountered among older adults beginning tele-exercise. METHODS We used an exploratory sequential mixed method study design. Participants were older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (n=44) who started participating in remotely delivered Enhance Fitness. Prior to the start of classes, a subsample of participants (n=10) completed semi-structured phone interviews about technology support needs and barriers and facilitators for technology adoption. All participants completed surveys including the PROMIS-57, the Senior Technology Acceptance Model scale, and a technology needs assessment. The study team recorded technology challenges encountered when participants engaged in tele-exercise classes and attendance rates. RESULTS Four themes emerged from the interviews: Participants desire features in a tele-exercise program that foster accountability; importance of direct access to helpful people who can troubleshoot and provide guidance with technology; opportunities to participate in high value activities motivates willingness to persevere through technology concerns; and belief in the ability to learn new things supersedes technology-related anxiety. Among participants in the tele-exercise classes (mean age 74.0 years ± 6.3; 86.4% female; mean of 2.5 ± 0.9 chronic conditions), 70.5% had a computer with a webcam, but 40.9% had little or no experience with videoconferencing. Initial technology orientation sessions lasted, on average, 19.3 (±10.3) minutes and 23.9% required a follow-up assistance call. During the first two weeks of tele-exercise, 47.6% required technical assistance which decreased to 11.9% for weeks 3-16. Median attendance was 100% for the first six sessions and 93% for the subsequent 42 sessions. CONCLUSIONS With appropriate support, older adults can successfully participate in tele-exercise. Recommendations include individualized technology orientation sessions, experiential learning, and availability of stand-by technical assistance, particularly during the first two weeks of classes. Continued development of best practices in this area may allow previously hard-to reach populations of older adults to participate in health-enhancing, evidence-based exercise programs. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04099394

scholarly journals INTEREST GROUP SESSION—HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE: USING DATA ABOUT PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS TO IMPROVE FALL PREVENTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S566-S566
Author(s):  
Gwen Bergen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies

Abstract Over one in four U.S. older adults (age 65+) reports falling each year with fall-related medical costs estimated at $50 billion. The American Geriatrics Society/British Geriatrics Society Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention of Falls in Older Persons recommends that healthcare providers assess and manage their patients’ fall risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) initiative helps healthcare providers incorporate these guidelines by providing tools on how to screen, assess, and intervene to reduce risk. Evaluations of fall prevention have focused on the clinical process and outcomes. Understanding clinical activities is important in fall prevention but a better understanding of older adult characteristics that increase fall-risk, and attitudes that may affect their adoption of evidence-based interventions could improve the effectiveness of prevention strategies. The five presentations in this session include: 1. Demographic, health and functional characteristics of older adults with increased fall risk. 2. Caregivers of people with chronic conditions or disability as a group with increased fall risk. 3. The most effective and efficient ways of identifying older adults with increased fall risk. 4. Facilitators and barriers to older adults’ adherence to evidence-based fall interventions. 5. Applying knowledge of older adult attitudes to improving an implementation of STEADI-based fall prevention. Multifactorial fall prevention strategies such as STEADI focus on the clinical aspects of fall prevention but their success depends on understanding and incorporating older adult characteristics and attitudes. The information presented in this session can inform fall prevention strategies and improve health.

scholarly journals LINKING A BRIEF INTERVENTION TO EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS TO COMBAT MALNUTRITION AMONG OLDER ADULTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 459-459
Author(s):  
M Smith ◽  
L Eagle ◽  
S Lachenmayr ◽  
J Simon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Programs

Effects of a Group Exercise Program on Risk Factors for Falls in Frail Older Adults

1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen F. Binder ◽  
Marybeth Brown ◽  
Suzanne Craft ◽  
Kenneth B. Schechtman ◽  
Stanley J. Birge
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Frail Older Adults ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

Fifteen community dwelling older adults, ages 66 to 97 years, with at least one risk factor for recurrent falls, attended a thrice weekly group exercise class for 8 weeks. In post- versus preexercise comparisons, knee extensor torque at 0°/sec increased by 16.5% (p= 0.055); time to perform the stand-up test once, and five times consecutively, improved by 29.4 and 27.4%, respectively (p= 0.05,p= 0.01); gait speed for 24 feet increased by 16.5% (p< 0.001); and performance of the progressive Romberg test of balance improved with a mean increase of 1.1 ± 0.9 positions (p= 0.001). Participants reported a significant increase in the mean number of times per week that they went out of their apartment/home independent of exercising, and a significant increase in the mean number of city blocks they could walk. Performance data for nine exercise participants at 1-yr postintervention are presented. A low- to moderate-intensity groups exercise program can effect improvements in lower extremity strength, gait speed, balance, and self-reported mobility function in frail older adults.

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