Senior Citizens Should Choose Fitness Facility that
Meets Special Needs of Older Members
Association for senior fitness pros provides
checklist to help seniors select age-friendly facilities
Jan. 26, 2009 - Many older adults intend to join
health and wellness clubs in 2009, according to the International
Council on Active Aging (ICAA), but it may take some extra effort to
find facilities that are prepared and
equipped to serve the special needs of older members.
The ICAA, the world's largest association for
senior fitness professionals, has created a checklist to help mature
adults rate and compare their local fitness and wellness facilities and
choose one that meets their needs. Facility owners and managers can also
use the ICAA test to evaluate their facilities and take steps to become
more age-friendly.
A sample of the ICAA checklist questions appears
below.
1. Is the facility's atmosphere one you feel
comfortable in?
2. Are the locker rooms clean, accessible and monitored by staff?
3. Are the membership contracts and marketing materials available in
large print?
4. Are signs visible and easy to understand?
5. Is the music acceptable and set at a reasonable level?
6. Does the facility's cardiovascular equipment have the following
age-friendly features? A display panel that is easy to read, easy to
change and easy to understand
7. Do the facility's treadmills start slowly, 0.5 mph?
8. Do the recumbent bikes or steppers have a wide and comfortable seat
with armrest?
9. Does the facility's strength building equipment have instructional
placards that have simple diagrams, easy to read text and font, and
correct usage information?
10. Does the facility's strength building equipment have a low starting
resistance, less than five pounds?
11. Does the facility offer programs designed to meet the needs of those
with a variety of chronic conditions? i.e. osteoporosis, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, balance abnormalities, muscular weakness
12. Do the classes have different levels of intensity, duration and
size?
13. Is there an extensive screening and assessment process? i.e.
balance, functional abilities, osteoporosis
14. Does the facility offer an orientation class or session to help you
become familiar with your surroundings?
15. Is the staff knowledgeable about the impact that medication can have on
exercise?
To download the complete checklist, How to Select
an Age-Friendly Fitness Facility, visit the ICAA website at
http://www.icaa.cc/checklist.htm
About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)
ICAA is the world's largest association dedicated to changing the way we
age by uniting professionals in the retirement, assisted living,
recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields.
The council
supports these professionals with education, information, resources and
tools, so they can achieve optimal success with the growing population
of people who are 50 years and older. As an active-aging educator and
advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental
bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute
on Aging (part of the US National Institutes of Health), the US
Department of Health and Human Services, Canada's Special Senate
Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia Ministry of Health.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Jan. 26, 2009 - Many older adults intend to join
health and wellness clubs in 2009, according to the International
Council on Active Aging (ICAA), but it may take some extra effort to
find facilities that are prepared and
equipped to serve the special needs of older members.