Fitness Instructors at Nursing Homes
Posted by Patti on January 24th, 2008 / Print This Post
Fitness and nursing homes…now this is different!
None of the two dozen men and women sitting in wheelchairs or perched on chairs with their walkers next to them volunteered to stand and try a few mini-squats while holding onto a chair back.
That did not deter Linda Thurston, who is mounting an effort to improve the fitness of residents in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
She soon had nearly everyone in the dining room of Athenian Village in North Royalton doing foot circles, toe taps, hip flexes, leg lifts and shoulder squeezes.
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Studies show that exercise helps people build muscle and improve balance and posture. It also improves arthritis and other conditions and promotes healing of wounds.But assisted-living centers and nursing homes are not required to provide exercise.
Physical fitness for many residents consists of mimicking action on videos, said Thurston, a certified fitness instructor.
Thurston, of Twinsburg, formed the Senior Fitness Movement, which includes a Web site, classes for residents and activity directors, and information on exercise. She also wants Ohio to change its administrative code to require exercise in the facilities.
I think it would be great to have, on staff, a fitness instructor at nursing homes. Why NOT? We all know the benefits of movement, exercise, stretching…and who can best help residents with all this?
January 25th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I love the new look Patti and Kim!
I think hiring a fitness instructor is a great idea too. Or even a personal trainer. They could work for the activity dept or under the PT people. These people can access the stengths and weaknesses of the residents and recommend exercises that would help them.
The dream team: A fitness instructor and a couple rehab aides…working together to keep our residents strong and ambulating and therefore healthier.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Yes that would be a dream team wouldn’t it? I bet the residents would get much better quality physical “therapy” this way too!