© The Hygenic Corporation The Active Aging Toolkit For Healthcare Providers Promoting Physical Activity in Older Adults

© The Hygenic Corporation Aging Statistics The number of Americans over 65 will increase to 80 million (double) by out of 4 older Americans have at least one functional limitation 88% of older Americans have at least one chronic disease

© The Hygenic Corporation Physical inactivity is more common among elderly than any other group After 65, 40% of women & 30% of men are sedentary CDC, 1996

© The Hygenic Corporation Changes with Aging: Biology or Inactivity? The biological changes seen with aging are the same as those seen with bed rest.  Loss of muscle & bone  Increase in fat and cholesterol  Loss of mobility and functional ability The good news….  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY can prevent or reverse these aging changes!

© The Hygenic Corporation Physical Activity & Aging Because of their low functional status and high incidence of chronic disease, there is no segment of the population that can benefit more from exercise than the elderly. American College of Sports Medicine

© The Hygenic Corporation Physical Activity & Aging The US Surgeon General recommends community-based physical activity programs that include cardiovascular, flexibility, and strengthening activities. USDHHS, 1996

© The Hygenic Corporation In May, 2001, a coalition of 50 organizations released a major national planning document that addresses physical activity & aging

© The Hygenic Corporation Funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Active Aging Partnership (Steering Committee) AARP ACSM AGS CDC NCOA NIA

© The Hygenic Corporation Blueprint Barriers The National Blueprint identified several barriers to physical activity, including:  Research  Home & Community  Workplace  Public Policy  Medical Systems

© The Hygenic Corporation Medical System Barriers Lack of education on disease prevention Lack of education on disease prevention Lack of time to address physical activity Lack of time to address physical activity Lack of evidence-based protocol Lack of evidence-based protocol Lack of adequate educational materials Lack of adequate educational materials Needs Exercise

© The Hygenic Corporation Medical Systems Strategies Disseminate best practices Facilitate patient referrals to community resources Develop Toolkits for healthcare providers Needs Exercise

© The Hygenic Corporation Importance of Healthcare Provider Most important factor for participation in an exercise program was a recommendation from healthcare provider Most important factor for participation in an exercise program was a recommendation from healthcare provider  Less than 50% of physicians counseled their older patients on exercise (Ades et al. 1992)

© The Hygenic Corporation National Blueprint Partners developed the “Active Aging Toolkit” in Therapists, Physicians & Researchers developed and refined the document

© The Hygenic Corporation The Active Aging Toolkit contains:  The AAT “White Paper”  Provider Manual  First Step to Active Health Program Patient Kit Training program for professionals 

© The Hygenic Corporation The “First Step to Active Health” program was identified by the Active Aging Toolkit Partners as an example of a scientifically based and well-rounded program to increase physical activity.

© The Hygenic Corporation

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step Well-Rounded Program

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step to Active Health: 1. Cardiorespiratory Program Emphasizes adding physical activity to daily life  Taking the stairs  Walking the dog Recommends gradual increase in enjoyable cardio activities toward 30 minutes, most days of the week Uses Borg’s RPE Scale for “moderate intensity” activity (Borg, 1998)

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step to Active Health: 2. Flexibility Program Recommends 2-3 x/ week stretching activities of muscles prone to tightness Suggests adding stretching activities as part of warm-up and cool-down

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step to Active Health: 3. Strengthening Program Clinically proven protocol  Improvements in: strength balance gait function  Correlated with functional tasks (Mikesky, 1994; Topp, 1993, 1996, 1998)

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step to Active Health: 4. Balance Program Clinically proven protocol (Rogers et al. 2001, 2002, 2003; Shores et al. 2002) Recommend multifactoral approach (ACSM, 1998)  balance training (progressive difficulty)  resistive exercise  walking  weight transfers

© The Hygenic Corporation The First Step kit contains:  Easy to read fold-outs with 4 progressive steps  Program manual includes assessment, goal setting, and behavioral strategies  Daily Activity Log  Elastic Band

© The Hygenic Corporation Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults using the Thera-Band® System (8/03)

© The Hygenic Corporation Special Populations using the Thera-Band® System in the Literature (8/03) Number of Clinical Studies

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step Programming Options Individual Programming Group Programming  Behavioral Changes  Assessment & Goal-setting  4 Progressive Steps for Well-Rounded program  Modifications for Special Populations

© The Hygenic Corporation First Step Research Feasibility & Implementation  Local Community level  Within Medical Systems Outcomes  Functional Improvements (decrease in disability)  Quality of Life Improvements  Disease Management (medication, admissions) Cost Effectiveness Across different populations, sub groupings, and settings

© The Hygenic Corporation Program Implementation Inpatient  At discharge Outpatient Clinic  Referral or Prescription Medical Fitness Facility  Weekly Program Senior Centers YMCA’s

© The Hygenic Corporation Why it’s important to you The National Blueprint organizations will be disseminating the Toolkit & First Step program to their members Future CDC guidelines for physicians will include counseling on physical activity Local communities will need programs for professional referrals

© The Hygenic Corporation What you can do…. Promote increasing physical activity in your patients using Toolkit strategies Educate colleagues and other professionals on promoting activity Begin a First Step program in your facility or community WALK THE TALK!

© The Hygenic Corporation Summary The Toolkit is a collaborative project of Blueprint Partners to address medical system barriers The First Step program is an evidence- based, turn-key program designed with healthcare providers in mind Healthcare providers are uniquely qualified to provide interventions & facilitate continuum of care

© The Hygenic Corporation Thank you ! Visit The Hygenic Corporation offers an educational license to use this presentation for educational purposes only. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited.