Seniors are the most inactive age group but they stand to benefit the most from an active lifestyle. Locally there are few low-cost exercise options for seniors. Many barriers, such as transportation, cost and safety keep many seniors
through its various programs. It is also ideally located in a residential neighborhood that has a large percentage of older adult residents. However, it currently operates no health promotion programs. Hanna seeks to improve the health and well-being of its senior users and seniors in the surrounding neighborhood by implementing a physical activity and exercise program. Participants that enroll, are explained the goals and objectives of the program, and given instruction on how to properly use the excise equipment. A medical history and screening form consent to participate and liability waiver must be completed prior to using the equipment. Participants will be encouraged to consistently participate through logging their exercise sessions. Safety will be a high priority. Participant’s primary physicians will need to approve their participation if serious medical conditions exist.
The components of this program are assessment/screening, exercise, behavior modification, social support and emergency response.
Our objective is to target the independent living, sedentary older adults aged 50 + from a variety of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds who currently utilize the Hanna Community Center or live within the immediate neighborhood. We hope to encourage the participants to engage in two 30-minute sessions of moderate intensity physical activity/aerobic exercise per week, two 20-30 minute strength-training sessions per week and eat five servings of vegetables per day. Participants will have the goals of the program explained to them with anticipated results. A physician must complete the participants’ medical history and screening form, and a liability waiver must be signed. Participants will have several exercise options available to them that are led by instructors trained in fitness for older adults and certified in Basic Life Support; use of cardiovascular exercise equipment will be available in the fitness area for use during specified hours only.
The fee for participating in this program is $20 a year or $5 every three months.
Nusteps- many seniors have conditions such as arthritis, joint replacement or very low fitness levels that prohibit them from being mobile or walking. The Nustep is a seated recumbent stepper designed specifically for seniors that allows users with these, and other conditions exercise safely and comfortable.
Therabands- strength is a very important aspect of a senior’s fitness. Rubberized resistance is an effective, and easy way, to build strength and is widely used for senior strength classes.
Dumbbells- designed to build strength dumbbells can be used for a variety of exercises that are difficult to do with therabands. This will provide another important option for instructors and participants.
Exercise Mats- there will be times when the participants will be getting on the ground to stretch or perform strength exercises. The mats will provide a clean, comfortable surface.
Brochures and Brochure Displays- education is a large part of any health-promotion program. We would like to create an area that provides materials on a variety of health-related issues including senior fitness and nutrition that participants can take as they like.
