Exercise and Older People – A Community Practitioners Perspective

Sarah Jarvis – Founder of ReActive

@ReActiveUKFB- ReActiveUKwww.reactiveuk.com

About ReActive

A specialized fitness company based in Cornwall founded in 2013 –Self Funding

Mission - strives to secure an active independence and improved quality of life for older people by implementing ReActive propriety ‘Ready STEADY Go!’ Programme.

Currently operating in 7 locations and have helped over 100 people to date… which includes local communities, support groups, care and residential settings and day centres.

About Sarah – That’s me!!

Been in the health and fitness industry for over 7 years

Always had a great interest in exercise physiology and ageing

Trained at St Thomas hospital in London to qualify as a Level 4 Postural Stability Instructor with Laterlife Training – the best training providers I have been with!!

Once qualified as a PSI, that’s when ReActive was founded.

My own main mission has always been ‘I want to make a difference’ – so that is what I am seeking to do!

The need for Older People to Participate in Exercise

It is vital people keep themselves active and mobile throughout their life

To feel valued and involved in their own community

To educate them the importance of exercise for living a better quality of life

To reduce social exclusion

Make them feel happy and good in themselves

Implemented my propriety ‘Ready STEADY Go!’ Programme.

Focuses on improved mobility and the early intervention and management of risk factors that lead to falls.

Goal is to allow individuals to engage in an active, healthy community that they feel valued and involved in.

The 3 class programme consists of the ‘Ready, STEADY and Go!’ classes which gives people a choice, no matter what their age or ability.

Ready Class – Predominately Residential and

Care Homes

STEADY Class – Community orientated, improve

Balance and Stability

Go! Class - A class suitable for the already active 50+ to maintain health and fitness

My Perspective so far

There is a great deal of people out there that need this kind of service but are not accessing it

Needs to be more collaboration between services – Physio -> Qualified Fitness Professional

My participants have made this their habit and really look forward to seeing their friends as well

Perspective Continued….

Motivation and adherence is vital for older people and one thing I found that helps that is building up a clan…….

Barriers and Challenges

To keep remembering you are working with the older population and that their health can suddenly deteriorate – this can have a knock on effect with the whole class

Having a class full of people with varying conditions – everything has to be adaptable and alternatives available.

The expectation - I am no miracle worker and falls unfortunately will still happen

For the community to understand the importance of these exercises

Work with very fit retired people who still live a very active and social life

Positives Meeting very determined and special people, who want the help

and support – they have all become part of my growing family

The changes in confidence and positive feedback

People can share their own experiences with each other

It allows them to put old age into perspective

Feeling more mobile, conditions becoming easier to deal with, low mood raised, increase confidence ..... Vi

It is all about the small things and I have found that you have to continually praise as they respond so well

Gathering data and trends can be established over time - only one year in, turnover of participants

Exercise has changed my

life!!

The advice and help from Sarah getting me back into exercise have been invaluable

We found it as an incentive to get out of the house and support each other

Feedback…

We always feel motivated and energised afterwards

Another positive outcome is some of us have improved spirometry results and peak flow!

Ann Bennett – A Participant Perspective…..

Many Thanks for listening and here is something to leave you with….All journeys big or small in life start

somewhere….

@ReActiveUKFB- ReActiveUKwww.reactiveuk.com