The Exercise Training Center offers the Strong and Steady Program, an exercise, education, and fall-prevention program for older adults to provide older adults with tools to maintain or increase their level of independent physical function.
Clients receive an individualized exercise program to work on exercise and mobility skills that will maintain a high level of physical function and enhance health. The program includes:
- A comprehensive evaluation (by a physical therapist) of functional balance, mobility skills, fall risk, and components of function such as strength, range of motion, and coordination
- An individualized exercise program designed to improve strength and balance to enhance health
Individual and group therapy sessions available.
Who Benefits from Strong and Steady?
Research confirms how important exercise and physical activity are to maintaining health and independence for older adults. Exercise has a protective effect against the development of both disease and disability, lowering the rate of both mortality and morbidity among seniors. Exercise and physical activity lower the risk for coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and adult-onset diabetes, and are effective adjunct treatments for managing hypertension, obesity, and depression.
In people over 65, falls are the leading cause of death from injury. Approximately 25 to 35 percent of people over the age of 65 experience one or more falls each year. Approximately one-half of older adults hospitalized for fall-related injuries are discharged to nursing homes. Research has shown that participation in an exercise program can reduce fall risk by as much as 35 percent in people over 65.
The Strong and Steady Program was created in response to this research and to meet the needs of the geriatric population.
You may benefit from this program if you experience:
- A decline in mobility function; slowed or shuffling gait
- A loss of independence in activities of daily life
- A history of falls, near falls, or fear of falling
- Difficulty in rising from a chair
- Healthy but interested in maintaining optimal mobility function and health through exercise.
Participation in the program requires a doctor's referral. Medicare and most private insurance companies reimburse physical therapy (thus the Strong and Steady Program) up to 80 percent of cost.
Currently, a group strengthening and aerobic conditioning session meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.