Healthy Changes: Better quality of life for older adults
It was just after 9 a.m. on a blustery November morning. Snowflakes fluttered down from the gloomy, grey sky and then blew forming mini-snowdrifts on the edges of the ice-glazed sidewalks. The typically bustling Minneapolis street was almost silent. There were few pedestrians and only an occasional vehicle crept slowly up the road past the Horn Towers apartment building. But, inside the building’s community room, activity was abundant. Fitness instructor, Sarah, and several of the building’s senior residents were rushing to-and-fro repositioning furniture in preparation for Volunteers of America- Minnesota’s Healthy Changes exercise class.
Healthy Changes is a competitive 12-week incentive-based health and wellness program for seniors aimed at inspiring them to make positive changes in their diet and activity levels to improve their physical health and allow them a better quality of life. The program is offered at three Volunteers of America (VOA) senior community center locations, as well as two apartment buildings where VOA provides services for older adults.
At 9:15, Sarah made phone calls reminding several participants about the class and quickly registered two new students. Then right at 9:30, class started. About 15 older adults were peppered throughout the room—each had a chair, a set of hand weights, and a rubber resistance band. Sarah guided them through a variety of age-appropriate flexibility and strength training routines while offering a copious amount of encouragement to each individual. An additional five seniors trickled in and joined the group. As they exercised, Sarah led a discussion about the importance of good nutrition, and eating fruits and vegetables. She kept the nutrition information relatively simple since many members of the class were recent immigrants to America. There were smiles aplenty and it was clear that everyone was having a good time.
When the Health Changes class concluded, participants were anxious to share positive feedback. “The class has helped me to lose some weight. Sarah gives us good advice and we do things we would never do on our own,” states Margaret. “I miss it when I can’t come to the class.” Asli, who attends the class with her mother, is an immigrant from Somalia and helps translate important details for other Somalis who attend the class. “The class helps me and my mother know what food is good for us. The class provides good friendships and a good teacher,” Asli explains. Agnes, who is a sprightly 96, quips, “The class helps me keep my joints moving.” Next, Unmatty, who is originally from Guyana says she never paid much attention to nutrition until taking the Healthy Changes class. “You find out that you can change your life and feel better. The nutrition education is important and the exercise experience is good for you,” she explains. Stanley says the weather prevents him from getting enough exercise. “The class is good for me,” he says. “I like to exercise, but it’s tough to walk outside in the winter. I think I need ice skates.” Sy reveals, “The class makes me feel better and gets me out of my apartment.” Healthy Changes is intended to be a positive educational experience. Fitness instructor Sarah explains, “The program is an excellent way of bringing the diverse group of residents together. It’s helped introduce the immigrant residents to new foods, and the entire group’s eating and habits have changed for the better.” Then she adds, “The participants are always cheerful and supportive of one another. Their energy feeds me just as much as I feed them.”
Throughout the duration of the Healthy Changes program, older adults earn points for prizes based on healthy activities they complete in class and on their own. The point system motivates the seniors to participate in the program, plus it gets them in the habit of tracking and watching what they eat and how often they exercise. At the end of the 12-week Healthy Changes, an awards ceremony will be held to recognize top point earners.
Health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, are at an all-time high for the senior population—a population growing at an unprecedented rate. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that older adults know the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise, and are able to make real lifestyle and behavior changes in those areas that will improve their health— giving them a better, more fulfilling, quality of life.
The Healthy Changes program is supported by a grant from the Medica Foundation and by the Greater Twin Cities United Way.