Older adults are among the most sedentary people in the United States. To find out what design features enable activity, 398 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) answered a survey about their campuses. CCRCs typically contain sections for independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. As residents’ needs change, they can move among the residences.
Organized activities most frequently provided on campus were physical therapy (78% provided), aerobics (40%), walking clubs organized by staff (39%), swimming (34%), t’ai chi/martial arts (34%) and walking clubs organized by residents (34%). Outside the campus, within a quarter mile walking distance, were swimming (31%), water aerobics (21%), golf (18%) and tennis (16%).
The relationship between a CCRC’s characteristics and resident participation in physical activity was more related to the type of activity than to the recommendation for 30 minutes of activity at least 3 times a week. For both independent living and assisted living, the higher the number of available activities on campus, the more residents engaged in 30 minutes a day of activity.
The residents who provided the greatest support for activity were physically active and housed in the independent living section. Management emphasis on the importance of physical activity was significantly related to resident participation.
The authors concluded that « there are a variety of organizational factors that appear to help enable motivated and able residents-likely within communities with physical environments also conducive to physical activity-to be more physically active. »
SOURCE: Seniors Housing & Care Journal 2005, 3
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