Partners in Active Living for Seniors Age Well Network Mankato, Minnesota Shirley Murray, MS, LISW Pam Determan, MS Mary Visser, PhD

PALS Program ► Targets older adults (>65) at- risk for early nursing home placement ► EnhanceFitness® exercise program  3 classes/week  3 sites, 5 different classes  4, 10 week sessions/yr ► Peer support from trained volunteers and students ► Transportation to and from classes at 3 sites

Age Well Network and PALS Program Grant funding from: Minnesota Department of Human Services Community Service/Service Development

Mankato Age Well Network Blue Earth County Community Health Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging Minnesota State University, Mankato City of Mankato Housing Department VINE Faith in Action Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center Departments of Human Performance, Sociology and Corrections, Psychology, Departments of Human Performance, Sociology and Corrections, Psychology, Gerontology Program, and the College of Allied Health and Nursing Gerontology Program, and the College of Allied Health and Nursing

Timeline for program ► Applied for grant:  February 2006 ► Grant awarded:  June 2006 ► 1 st 10 week session started:  October 2, 2006 ► Last session ended:  August 17, 2007 ► 2 nd year begins:  September 10, 2007

Developing the Network ► Identifying Partners  Who to invite in and when to do it  Openness vs. manageability ► Expectations and Boundaries  Clarity  Negotiation and Flexibility ► Relationship Building and Change over Time  Roles and Partners change  Importance of Trust, Integrity, Problem-solving

PALS Partner Roles ► Planning and oversight  All partners though monthly meetings ► Fiscal Agent  MN River Area Agency on Aging ► Screening for participants  BECCH staff, VINE Faith in Action staff ► Assignment and monitoring of exercise PALS (volunteers)  VINE Faith in Action staff, MSU Sociology ► Oversight for EF classes, training of leaders, administration of physical assessments, SF-36  MSU Human Performance  PALS GA (MSU)  City of Mankato Housing

The Role of a PAL ► One-to-one PALS  Meet partner with individuals to encourage attendance at classes  May attend class with their PAL ► General class PALS  Higher functioning, regularly attending participants who have completed at least 1 session  Greet people, take attendance, assist with weights, encourage people

Nursing Oversight ► Lends credibility. ► Conducts and supervises volunteer nurses providing initial health screening. ► Answers participant questions related to exercise and specific health concerns. ► Sends letter to physician to ensure the safety of participant with increased activity levels. ► Teaches healthy living habits – diet, falls prevention, medication management etc.

Transportation ► Rides provided 3x/wk for 30 of the 105 participants in summer session. ► Both paid drivers and volunteers are utilized ► Bus rides have fostered support and friendships.

EnhanceFitness® Program ► Comprehensive, all-around program  Comprehensive screening – more than EF requires  Warm-up, balance and mobility, aerobic section, strength training, flexibility, cool-down ► Can be performed seated or standing  Wrist and ankle weights, barbells (strength) ► Exercises target muscle involved in ADLs  Embedded assessments ► Senior Fitness Test (Rikli and Jones) ► Well-trained Exercise Leaders – 1 or 2/class  Degree in area or nationally-recognized fitness certification  Positive and professional attitude  CPR/AED certified

Outcomes to date ► Improved performance on SFT  There is a ceiling effect with performance on the measures ► Enhanced reported quality of life (SF-36) ► Numerous anecdotal evidence of improved function ► Class “bonding” and development of social networks  Trips to ballgames, State Fair, informal visiting  Social aspects enhanced by special events ► Joke Friday, holiday celebrations, special clothing days (hats, colors)

Challenges Faced ► Communication with participants  Most not computer users ► 2 of 3 facilities all purpose, not designed for activity  Set up and take down ► On-going screening of new referrals ► Spreading the word  Flier to local physicians  VINE Newsletter ► Weather and “snowbirds” ► Organization and dissemination of results

Challenges Faced

Where are we now? ► Strategic planning for second year  Expansion to new sites?  Outreach to other population groups not currently served? ► Hispanic, Hmong, Somali, males  Establish self-sufficiency ► “Bridge” program for higher function graduates of EF classes  Where do they go if they are able to do more PA? ► Identifying and training older adult EF leaders  Recruit and train peers

Age Well Network, Mankato Minnesota Partners in Active Living for Seniors

P Partners in A Active L Living for S Seniors Age Well Network Mankato, Minnesota