Planning a Safe and Fun Health Program for Older Adults

Physical and Social Components in Health Program

What are physical and social component in health program?

What is workplace wellness and health promotion program?

Using this resource, you are to plan a safe and fun health program for the group of older adults described below. This health program should include both a physical and social component. Be sure to include a description of the type of activities you propose for your health program, along with the benefits of these activities; the frequency and duration of the activities; a location for the activities; and tips and recommendations for the participants.

Marcus is part of a group of seven older adults aging 64-68 years old who live close to one another and have gathered every week for 5 years. This is more than just a social group it represents a source of support and connection to combat the isolation that many seniors experience. They are most interested in enhancing their well-being and independence through a lifestyle that embraces physical activity. This well-established and cohesive group has the following characteristics:

Made up of 3 males and 4 females, aged 64-68 all living in their own homes.

1. The individuals in the group has been minimally active over the past 5 year and now they want to embrace an active lifestyle as a group. They know that physical activity plays a pivotal role in preventing and managing heart disease and related risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

2. They have multiple chronic health conditions - heart problems, diabetes, and arthritis, none of which are serious at the moment, and they have all been given the go ahead to start a physical activity program by their doctors.

3. They are middle income seniors that are willing to pay a modest amount for fitness but do not want to purchase a gym membership. 

4. They are looking for an age friendly, fun and low impact way to become active as most of them are 10-15 pounds overweight for their age.

5. They are interested in expanding their knowledge about exercise.

6. The group wants to keep track of their progress. They are a competitive group and would love to learn ways to record their progress on their smartphones and compete with one another in a friendly way.

7. They love to be outdoors (except in winter).

8. The neighbourhood’s built environment lacks traffic calming or slow zones discouraging them from walking the streets. There has been an increase in pedestrian injuries over the last several years.

9. There is a small parkette nearby with some outdoor public fitness machines.

10. There is a community recreation centre close by, with a pool and an inside walking track. None of the group members have used this facility.

Marcus knows someone at the Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion Program. This person is you. You have agreed to come in and speak with the group to provide some ideas for them on becoming more active and maintaining their social ties. The group wants to be able to meet new people in an informal way while keeping active. Although you are not a fitness expert, you feel that you can provide some direction for this group to help them with their quest to become more active and more social. Be sure to include a description of the type of activities- both physical and social - that you propose along with the benefits of the activityies the frequency, intensity and duration of the activityies a location for the activityies and helpful tips and recommendations for the participants. Try to make use of, and build on, existing community resources in your plan.

Be as comprehensive, specific and detailed as possible. Be sure to explain your points clearly with proper English grammar and spelling. I am looking for specific recommendations based on the material presented in this session.