Preventing osteoporosis through community exercise classes
Abstract
A program of gentle weight bearing exercises for seniors and others at risk of or suffering with osteoporosis is being conducted by an RSVP program in conjunction with a local hospital. Classes are held twice a week at a variety of sites. There are 70 RSVP volunteer leaders and approximately 400 class participants in 15 locations.Issue
Research has shown that exercise can help prevent osteoporosis by helping to build strong bones and slow bone loss. This program was organized to provide free, community-wide exercise classes for seniors and others at risk of, or suffering with, osteoporosis in a community that lacked such classes. Osteoporosis prevention is important because bone fractures are often followed by rapid decline and institutionalization.Action
The Community Osteoporosis Exercise and Prevention Program is offered in conjunction with Capital Region RSVP, New York, and the Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Working with the program from Sunnyview are a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, research expert, nutritionist, and college intern. RSVP volunteers lead and facilitate the classes as informed "peer leaders," but all questions regarding exercises, medical, and other health issues are referred directly to Sunnyview. The program has several components.
Exercise Classes
- Class "leaders" are trained RSVP volunteers who lead classes that consist of gentle weight-bearing exercises for seniors and others at risk of or suffering with osteoporosis.
- The RSVP leaders rely on exercise manuals that are updated and reviewed by Sunnyview and which contain discussion topics and prevention materials researched and/or reviewed by Sunnyview's professional staff. RSVP leaders are encouraged to facilitate discussion in their classes on these topics and share materials with classmates.
- When a site contacts the RSVP program and indicates they would like to start a class, two volunteer leaders are recruited to lead fellow classmates in the exercises. The preferred ratio is two RSVP volunteer leaders to 12-14 classmates. The class leaders distribute medical information and release forms provided by Sunnyview Hospital. Class participants may also elect to furnish additional information about their class attendance, exercises completed, and bone density results to Sunnyview for research purposes.
- The site is responsible for the safe conduct of the class, ensuring that adequate space, lighting, shelves for storing weights, and chairs for support are provided. The site is responsible for reporting hours of volunteers and collecting medical release forms for return to Sunnyview.
- RSVP accumulates hours data, communicates regularly with volunteers, provides recognition, meets regularly with Sunnyview to assess program success, and assists with coordinating ongoing training workshops.
- The RSVP volunteer leaders attend mandatory training twice a year. Training is conducted by the Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Volunteers receive an exercise manual, medical questionnaires, and basic prevention information. Exercises are carefully reviewed with the physiotherapist, and are regularly updated by medical staff.
- A typical training workshop for RSVP volunteers is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and includes an exercise review (two hours); questions answered and the latest information on treatment and prevention presented by a doctor (one hour); a "bone-healthy" lunch (one hour); presentations on diet/nutrition and home safety — particularly avoiding falls (one hour); and roundtable sharing (one hour). Refreshers and reviews of exercises and basic prevention information are offered periodically for new RSVP volunteers.
- Other RSVP programs in New York have osteoporosis programs. This program meets twice a year with those in upstate New York to compare practices and learn from each other.
- Plans for the future include launching an osteoporosis newsletter, organizing a free community wide information and interactive learning gathering for interested members of the community, offering regular free bone-density tests via a mobile unit, introducing advanced classes for experienced participants, and intergenerational awareness and prevention programs by RSVP volunteers for area youth.
Context
The Community Osteoporosis Exercise and Prevention Program was started by the Capital Region RSVP in 1997-98 using exercises developed by Tufts University and Dr. Miriam Nelson's "Strong Women" model. Today, the curriculum is offered in conjunction with the Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, which joined the program as a community partner in 2001. The Capital Region RSVP serves three New York counties: Albany, Schenectady, and Rennselaer. Sunnyview Hospital has a Bone Health Center and treats many seniors each year with bone fractures due to osteoporosis.Outcome
This program has several positive outcomes:- Nearly 100 percent retention of RSVP volunteers and class participants. Classes, once formed, continue for years with loyal attendance and very high interest.
- Seventy RSVP volunteer leaders conduct classes twice a week for 1-1.5 hours in 15 locations in the Capital Region. There are approximately 400 class participants.
- Bone density statistics on class participants, collected by Sunnyview, indicate maintained or improved bone strength in many participants.
- By keeping class participants more fit and active and by preventing falls, seniors are able to live independently longer.
- Increased knowledge of proper nutrition.
- Increased social interaction.
- Anecdotal reports of increased mobility.
Posted On
November 7, 2001For More Information
Lisa A. Ferretti, LMSW
RSVP of the Capital Region
Acting Director (2007)
135 Western Avenue
Albany,
NY
12222
Phone: (518) 442-5832
Fax: (518) 442-5326
Website: http://www.albany.edu/aging/RSVP/
Email: rsvp@albany.edu
Related Practices
Related sites
MedlinePlus: Osteoporosis Information