PRESENTED BY

JANICE MONFRIES , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAIDONG LIANG, PROJECT MANAGER

Seniors Helping Seniors –

Promoting and Empowering Peer

Support for Seniors’ Health and Wellness

The Network of Excellence in Seniors’ Health and Wellness Innovation Fund

The 2014 Innovation Fund provides seed-funding to pioneering initiatives focused on

fostering long-term sustainability; integrating delivery of seniors’ care and services;

reducing reliance on institutional care; and

maintaining and enhancing seniors’ health and wellness.

Our project is one of the 13 successful

funded projects.

Rationale of This Project

Canada is Ageing

Health Care Costs are Increasing

Preventative Health Programs Save

Government Money

Fitness and Nutrition programs improve

lives of seniors

Seniors Helping Seniors is Cost effective

and Sustainable!

Aging Population in Canada

4

2011Census

4.9 million (14.77%)

2021

Older Adults > Children

Aging Population

5

Health Care Costs of Seniors

Government of Canada looking for solution to reduce health-care cost

Seniors represent 14% of the total population but 44% of total health care expenditure

14%

44%

86%

54%

Canada's Population

Health Care Cost

Health Care Costs of Seniors

Seniors The Rest

Preventative Programs Save Money

Emery and his associates (2012) found Preventative Programs

- Lower the prevalence of chronic conditions,

- Reduce annuity value of the potential health-care

expenditure by:

$8,114/yr for a 55-year-old

$11,826/yr for a 65-year-old

Fitness Programs enhance seniors’ lives

Reduction in Risk of All-Cause Mortality

Reduction in Risk of Chronic Conditions

Reduction in Risk of Functional Loss

30% 60% Moderate

Intensity Fitness

Reduction rate as a Result of Fitness levels

High Intensity Fitness

(Paterson & Stathokostas, 2015)

Nutrition Programs Improves Wellness

Research showed that community-based nutrition information series for people aged 55 or older has the potential to promote health and well-being of community-living seniors (Manafò et al., 2013).

• Community-practising dietitians are instrumental in providing credible nutrition information to facilitate healthy eating in older Canadians.

Senior Centres Can Make a Difference

Seniors Centres are a key component in the continuum of care for

seniors who are aging in place. (Aging Population Policy

Framework, AB Government, 2010). Westend Seniors Activity

Centre encourages healthy aging through active living, good

nutrition, as well as social, recreational, and cognitive activities.

Westend Seniors Activity Centre

Seniors Helping Seniors

Utilizing the resources and staff of

Westend Seniors, including a nutritionist

and fitness trainer, the purpose of this

project is to:

promote health and wellness by utilizing a

representative group of seniors and taking them

through a journey of health and wellness

discovery with the intention of utilizing a peer

support model to engage other seniors to take the

same journey.

Project Description

Specifically,

train, motivate and support a group of seniors

representing diverse health and wellness levels, into

learning to lead a healthy lifestyle through diet and

exercise.

Set up a system whereby these seniors are trained to

voluntary help and encourage other seniors, utilizing

the fitness room and improved nutritional awareness,

to improve their heath and wellness.

Engage the seniors in a health promotional

campaign utilizing a monthly newsletter to provide

information on the benefits of diet and exercise; host

health and wellness sessions and coordinate a city

wide “Fit for the Future” symposium.

Partner with other stakeholders in heath promotion

within the community.

Project Description

WSAC Team: - A Nutritionist - A Fitness Trainer - A Recreational

Programmer - Project Manager

Participants: - 10 Participants in

the Fall 2014 - 11 Participants in

the Winter 2015 - WSAC Seniors

Health & Wellness Promotion and Training: - Fitness & Nutrition Education

and Training

Seniors Helping Seniors: - Trained volunteers as Healthy

Aging Advocates

Inputs

Increased Health Promotion & awareness within the Community - Community Awareness

Campaign for nutrition and exercise -Fit for the Future Symposium

Outcomes

Functionally Fit Seniors: -Increased independence

-Enhanced quality of life -Disease and injury prevention

This is their Journey

Profile of our Groups

Chronic conditions and diseases identified:

Cancer, Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Hip replacement; Heart

Conditions; Diabetes.

13 8

3

10

8

61-64

65-74

75+

Age Range of Participants

First Day - Orientation

Steps to our Peer Support Model for Health & Wellness

1. Utilizing partners in educating the seniors on fitness and nutrition.

2. Train the seniors as peer leaders.

3. Initiate peer support health and wellness training to seniors.

4. Review and

Evaluate.

5. Disseminate information to large groups, and the community.

Step 1. Fitness Plan Design

Week 1 • Initial Fitness Questionnaire and Assessment

Week 2

• Program Design • Individualized programs were designed by personal trainer • one on one sessions with client to go through exercises and answer questions

Week

3-6

• Program Implementation • Participants were left to follow their plans • On-site scheduled consultation is provided.

Week 7

• Mid-way Assessment & Program Modification • Program revisited and restructured to challenge participants

• Workload increase. On-site scheduled consultation is provided.

Week 8-12

• Program Implementation & Post Assessment • Participants continued their plans with On-site scheduled consultation.

• Post-Program Assessment was conducted in the end.

Based on Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults

Research-Based Functional Fitness Plan

Fitness Program for Older Adults Considerations:

Set up SMART goals

Build connection with what they are already doing

(e.g., people who enjoy Golf might take the golf-conditioning class

Focus on the benefits in their daily life.

(e.g., shovelling snow, house cleaning, gardening, etc.)

FUNCTIONAL is the KEY!

Bill – 80 years young participant

Nutrition Plan Design

2014/2015-Nutrition Component

Orientation – Questionnaire Week 1 - Comprehensive Assessment of Eating Habits Week 2 - Tips for Healthy Eating (Heart Health, etc.) Week 3 - Planning a Healthy Diet Week 4 - Weekly Menu Planning Week 5 - Facts about Fat, Tips on Snacking Week 6 - Sugar Overload Week 7 - Top 100 Foods for Diabetes Week 8 - Are You Getting Enough Potassium, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Vitamin B-12, 5 Week 9 - Tips for Getting and Staying Motivated to Eat Healthy Week 10 - How to Keep Your Brain Young through Diet and Exercise, 20 Instant Energy Boosters Week 11 - Holiday Healthy Eating Guide, Tips for Winter Workouts Week 12 - In Your Face - How the Food Industry Drives Us to Eat, Overrated and Underrated Foods Week 13 - Healthy Eating and Healthy Aging for Adults Week 14 - Dietary Fibre: Essential for a Healthy Diet; Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day Week 15 - Eating Well As You Age Questionnaire

Canada’s Food Guide

Partnerships

Partnership is a cost-effective and sustainable solution and ensures quality!

Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta recommended a Personal Trainer to design individual fitness program for 10 participants in Fall 2014.

Exercise specialists and Registered Dietitians from Edmonton West Primary Care Network

offerred suggestions in how to build a fitness room at the Centre,

shared academic, practical fitness and nutrition resources to help WSAC team design and implement individual fitness and nutrition plans, and

Provided professional fitness, nutrition consultations and seminars.

Steps to our Peer Support Model for Health & Wellness

1. Utilizing partners in educating the seniors on fitness and nutrition.

Step 2

3. Initiate peer support health and wellness training to seniors.

4. Review and

Evaluate.

5. Disseminate information to large groups, and the community.

Train the seniors as peer leaders.

Step 2. Train the Peer Leaders

Create a Volunteer Plan

Helping peers is beneficial in many ways - Teaching is the best way to learn

- Making new friends

- Improving Self-image

- Making positive changes to others

- Free access to the Fitness Room

- Recognized as the “Healthy Aging Advocate”

- Use volunteerism as an incentive for continued healthy lifestyle changes

Fully-Equipped Peer Leaders

High-Tech Equipped Peer Leaders

Steps to our Peer Support Model for Health & Wellness

1. Utilizing partners in educating the seniors on fitness and nutrition.

2. Train the seniors as peer leaders.

Step 3

4. Review and

Evaluate.

5. Disseminate information to large groups, and the community.

Initiate peer support health and wellness training to seniors.

Step 3. Volunteer Peer Leaders on Duty

Happy Hour

Steps to our Peer Support Model for Health & Wellness

1. Utilizing partners in educating the seniors on fitness and nutrition.

2. Train the seniors as peer leaders.

3. Initiate peer support health and wellness training to seniors.

Step 4

5. Disseminate information to large groups, and the community.

Review & Evaluate.

Step 4. Review and Evaluate (Learnings)

Fitness Room is Beyond just a FITNESS ROOM!

An affordable spot for seniors to do exercises on their own.

An information centre for seniors to receive proper exercise information and training.

An encouraging and inspiring room to demonstrate active and healthy lifestyles.

An active volunteer opportunity for seniors to motivate and support their peers.

A safe place for seniors to exercise with supporting staff and volunteers.

A “Happy Hour” has been branded by a small group of members who regularly attend their workouts.

Fitness Room Users increased

from 51/month to 200/month

in a six month time period!!!!!

Learnings To Date

Café is more than just a Café!

A multi-functional hub to enhance nutritional awareness

– seniors asking for assistance in making healthy lunch choices

– Seniors meet to gather and share healthy meals

– Seniors volunteer in the kitchen and learn nutritional tips from the staff

– Nutritionist and invited chefs teach cooking classes

Learnings To Date

Benefits of Fitness Program

Participants more aware of the benefits of fitness training.

Pre- and Post-assessments indicated a variety of improvement among participants in terms of motivation, strength, flexibility, duration, and mobility.

Cost Effective and Replicable. If members request the same kind of program in the future, it can be offered at a cost-recovery basis.

Learnings To Date

Interesting Finding:

Pedometer & PCN step-tracking sheet is the biggest motivation.

Seniors taking Fitness classes – at the age of 100!

Learnings To Date

Challenges of Fitness Program Lack of knowledge in the benefits of fitness training.

Lack of knowledge in proper exercise execution (e.g., form, breathing, rhythm, purpose of each exercise) and equipment usage.

Finding:

At the beginning of the project, regular explanation and demonstration was needed for participants in order for them to master the skills and share the knowledge with their peers.

Modification:

Design a program with pictures and instructions. Create a tip sheet identifying key factors for safe and effective exercise program implementation.

Learnings To Date (Nutrition Plan)

Challenges of Nutrition Program Participants’ needs are very diverse, including Lose weight, eat heathier, dietary for

different health concerns (diabetes, heart, arthritis, high blood pressure, bone health), cooking for 1, smaller portion, etc.

Participants are unsure of how to access the proper and affordable information that meets their nutritional needs.

Interesting Findings:

Food Journals – strong motivators

Reassess their eating patterns, nutritional needs.

Start reading labels, trying new things, eating healthier.

Menu planning affecting their grocery shopping behaviours.

Positive Changes to improve energy and wellness levels.

Learnings To Date (Nutrition Plan)

Nutrition Program Credible nutrition information is an important component of healthy aging.

Nutrition nuggets (Nutrition info posted on the WSAC monthly newsletter) based on the nutrition needs of the participants are shared with other seniors, attracting many seniors to take nutrition classes.

Nutrition workshops provided by PCN dietitians and our Nutritionist were well-received.

The Journey – How did this program help Bill?

Steps to our Peer Support Model for Health & Wellness

1. Utilizing partners in educating the seniors on fitness and nutrition.

2. Train the seniors as peer leaders.

3. Initiate peer support health and wellness training to seniors.

4. Review and Evaluate.

Step 5

Disseminate information to large groups, and the

community.

“Informed” Lunches - Cafe

New Health Cafe

“Fit for the Future” Health & Wellness Symposium

Date: Thursday, June 4

19th Older, Bolder, Better!™/Fit for the Future Health and Wellness Symposium

Health and wellness exhibitors showcase

Fitness demonstration, Health and Wellness Seminars, Nutrition/Cooking demonstrations

City-wide Event special invites to seniors organizations, and seniors focused businesses.

Health Promotion/banners, brochures, door-to-door mail-outs.

Centre wide fitness/nutrition challenge

Advertisement & Promotion

Using Canada Post to target Seniors in West End of Edmonton

15,000 mail-outs

Advertisement & Promotion

Radio: 630 CHED

Newspapers:

Edmonton Metro

Edmonton Senior

Edmonton Examiner

Edmonton Sun

Social Media:

Website

Facebook, Link Newsletter, etc.

Dignitaries

Councillor Andrew Knack

Bruce Bowie 630 CHED

Programs

Laughter yoga

Gluten Free Food

By PCN

Programs

Dr. Randy Gregg

Dr. Drogos Hotchkiss Brain

Institute

Program

Program

Program

Moving Forward

Pedometer Challenge

Moving Forward

Health & Wellness Project and Partnership

Recreation and Physical Activity Project Grant

Intergenerational Toolkit Pilot Project

STEP Forward Program

Supervised Transitional Exercise Program

PEDS 385: Physical Activity & the Aging Adult

What is good for one group of seniors will be great for all other seniors – expanding the benefits to all seniors

WSAC

Fitness Awareness

Nutrition Education

Volunteerism

Health Promotion