Abstract
BackgroundA telehealth-delivered physical activity program was implemented within two low-income older adult housing properties utilizing the Otago exercise program, a physical therapy program endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve balance and strengthening in community dwelling older adults and by the National Council on Aging as the highest level of evidence for fall prevention programs. Participants were also given Fitbit activity monitors to help track their activity.ObjectiveThe goal of this project was to increase older adults’ daily physical activity in hopes of decreasing chronic disease morbidity, disability, and falls, and decrease social isolation.MethodsThe Otago exercise program was conducted via telehealth twice weekly for 12 weeks. Participants also wore Fitbit activity trackers to encourage physical activity outside of the group classes. Postintervention qualitative interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using discourse analysis.ResultsTwenty-one older adult participants from two low-income properties in Charleston, SC, participated in the 12-week telehealth physical therapy program. Postintervention qualitative interviews revealed that the two sites were very different in their participation in the program and their main concerns surrounding aging in place. One site had a community-oriented outlook and enjoyed participating in physical activity together; whereas, the other site had very few participants and referenced depression and social isolation as main concerns.ConclusionsA telehealth physical therapy-led intervention to increase physical activity in low-income older adults aging in place was successfully implemented and attended; however, it became clear in postintervention qualitative interviews that social isolation and depression were prevalent and mental health needs to be addressed along with physical health to encourage successful aging in place.
Highlights
Physical inactivity increases the risk of adverse health conditions in older adults, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers [1]
A telehealth physical therapy-led intervention to increase physical activity in low-income older adults aging in place was successfully implemented and attended; it became clear in postintervention qualitative interviews that social isolation and depression were prevalent and mental health needs to be addressed along with physical health to encourage successful aging in place. (JMIR Aging 2018;1(2):e11955) doi:10.2196/11955
We report on the first year of our project to increase low-income older adults’ daily physical activity (PA) in hopes of decreasing chronic disease morbidities, disability, and falls
Summary
Physical inactivity increases the risk of adverse health conditions in older adults, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers [1]. The World Health Organization calls for a 10% increase in physical activity (PA) and encourages community-based collaborations to formulate evidence-based, cost-effective means http://aging.jmir.org/2018/2/e11955/ XSLFO RenderX. Older adults spending less time in sedentary behavior have a greater chance to age successfully and to age in place [10], with improved health-related quality of life [9]. A telehealth-delivered physical activity program was implemented within two low-income older adult housing properties utilizing the Otago exercise program, a physical therapy program endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve balance and strengthening in community dwelling older adults and by the National Council on Aging as the highest level of evidence for fall prevention programs. Participants were given Fitbit activity monitors to help track their activity
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