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Title & Content |
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Active Start: Increasing Physical Activity Among Sedentary Older Adults
OASIS and
City of Los Angeles
Department of Aging
Marcia Kerz, President, The OASIS Institute
Rosa Aguirre, Active Start Project Coordinator |
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Key Players
Administration on Aging Grant Partners
- City of Los Angeles .Department of Aging (DoA)
- The OASIS Institute
- University of Southern California
- Senior centers contracted through the DoA
(image: photo of seniors exercising while sitting down)
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Active Start Background
Funding from the US Administration on Aging
- Part of "evidence-based programs" initiative funded by the AoA
- Partnership with the National Council on Aging
- Active Start will be a model that AoA and NCOA will encourage senior centers to use with their populations
(image: NCOA and AoA logos)
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Sedentary Adults Are At Risk
- Sedentary lifestyles are linked to 23% of deaths from chronic diseases
- 51% of elderly (65-74) and 56% of persons with disabilities engage in no leisure activity
- 35%-50% of women age 70 to 80 have difficulty with general mobility tasks
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Intervention Increased Physical Activity
Two classes combined to help older adults adopt a physically active lifestyle
- Active Living Every Day: support group to develop behavior-change skills, help people set goals
- ExerStart: beginning level, low-impact exercise
(image: photo of seniors doing low-impact exercises)
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Program Model
- 20 week program
- Stagger starting classes
- Start with behavior class, then add exercise
- Lay leaders facilitate classes
- Pre-test /post-test design:
- Participants measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month post
(image: photo of woman stretching)
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Program Targeted Sedentary Adults
- 50 participants in 3 LA sites:
- 2 multi-purpose senior centers
- 1 multi-generational center
- Average age: 77
- 80% Female
- 50% Caucasian, 50% Hispanic
(image: photo of seniors doing low-impact exercises)
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Lay Leaders Prepared for Their New Roles
- Go through training and become certified
- Receive detailed manuals and lesson plans
- Receive ongoing technical support
(image: covers of fitness-related reading materials for seniors)
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Leaders Faced Challenges
- Encouraging class attendance
- Keeping exercises interesting and fun
- Addressing individuals' physical limitations
- Encouraging adults to participate and complete homework
- Helping participants support each other
(image: photo of man and woman attending class)
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Benefits of Lay Leaders
- Relate well to target population
- Familiar with audience culture
- Qualified to lead low-impact exercise and lifestyle change discussions
- Creates a sustainable program
- Builds on existing resources and assets – developing community competency
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Leaders Grew in their Roles
- Became more comfortable with curriculum and leadership role
- Found the program rewarding
- Became more physically active
(image: photo of smiling woman)
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Outcomes Show Physical and Behavioral Change
- Improved functional fitness tests (chair stands, arm curls, sit and reach, 2-minute step, back scratch)
- Increased minutes of activity
- Improved perceived social support for being active
(image: photo of a seated man reaching for his toes)
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Paid Facilitators vs. Lay Leaders
Mean Improvement in Participants' Senior Fitness Test Scores
(image: bar graph titled "Mean Improvement in Participants' Senior Fitness Test Scores")
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Jacqueline's Story
(Jacqueline had two previous knee replacements.)
"I've learned I can be physical, a little at a time. Before this class I had
difficulty doing everyday things like grocery shopping. After 10 or 15
minutes my legs and feet ached. Now I can go shopping, even after this
class."
(image: photo of Jacqueline)
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Lessons Learned: Cultivate Support of Centers
- Centers must see reason for participating; leadership must provide incentives
- Fit the program into the current structure to encourage centers to get involved
- Local advisory group increases sustainability
- Consistent, positive support is required to help sites implement the program
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Lessons Learned: Build Enthusiasm of Participants
- Choose a facilitator who will champion the program and motivate participants
- Staggering ALED and ExerStart exposes adults to behavior modification first, helping them stick with it
- Site readiness is important
(image: photo of seniors in an exercise class)
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Creating a Sustainable Program
- Volunteers and center staff are trained to lead the classes vs. hiring facilitators
- Integrating the program into procedures and trainings in place within the DoA
- Building new partnerships based on success
(image: photo of seniors participating in stretching exercises)
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For More Information
Marcia Kerz
The OASIS Institute
314-862-2933
mkerz@oasisnet.org
Rosa Aguirre
City of Los Angeles Dept. of Aging
213-252-4070
Rosa.Aguirre@lacity.org
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