INNOVATIONS IN DELIVERY OF EFFECTIVE MOBILITY INTERVENTIONS: THE GEROFIT PROGRAM

摘要

Gerofit, established in 1986, is an individualized health promotion/exercise program for older Veterans. Center-based program outcomes include significant improvements in function/mobility and psychological health. Consequently, Gerofit is undergoing national dissemination (11 sites in 5 years) with the challenge to increase reach beyond center-based programs without compromising outcomes. Replication of center-based Gerofit with new models developed including tele-video exercise, home counseling, and other hybrid exercise programs. One-year outcomes from new center-based participants (n=691, mean age 75.2 years) include improved gait speed (1.07 to 1.14 meters/sec), six-minute walk (416.27 to 459.17 meters), strength (10.93 to 14.71 chair stands), and mobility (Up-and-go-test, 8.48 to 7.51 seconds), all p< 0.05. Additionally, over the past 6-months, 400+ Veterans received materials (3–20% return rate) with varied options for non-center-based exercise which will be discussed. With over 10.6 million U.S. Veterans aged 65+ (57% rural), the need for perfecting these models is paramount.