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Gerofit
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Gerofit is an established, evidence-based exercise and health promotion clinic that targets older Veterans at risk for institutionalization by physical limitations that are modifiable with exercise intervention. Program participants achieve significant improvements in functional measures, reduction in cardiovascular risk factors, improved well-being, and satisfaction with care. Compared to non-adherers, long-term participants experienced a five-year delay of decline in physical performance and a 25% lower mortality rate. Implemented programs have been highly successful with program participants meeting or exceeding program objectives, experiencing clinically significant favorable outcomes and prominent levels of patient satisfaction. Exercise professionals conduct facility-based in-person exercise classes, and virtual classes via telehealth through internet streaming to the home.
Expansion of this program has been provided exclusively by generous support of the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care and the Office Rural Health.
Origin:
July 1986, Durham VA Medical Center
Adoptions:
33 successful
Awards and Recognition:
VHA Shark Tank Winner, Office of Rural Health Enterprise-wide Initiative , VHA Best Practice, Geriatrics and Extended Care Mentored Partnership, Whole Health Designation
Partners:
Geriatrics and Extended Care, Office of Rural Health
Recent Updates
Overview
Problem
Solution
Veterans have many options to ... Gerofit is an exercise program that promotes health & wellness for older Veterans by tailoring strength, aerobic, balance and flexibility exercises to individual needs. The program features regular functional and personal goal assessments to progressively guide each participant to achieve his or her optimal lifelong health.
Veterans have many options to choose from.
-- Supervised face to face exercise at selected VA medical centers
-- Interactive supervised exercise via using telehealth video conferencing
-- Access to on demand video library (YouTube #GerofitExercise) See more
Links
- Exercise Videos- for Veterans, Gerofit Exercise Experts and Veterans Gerofit Exercise Videos
Results
-- 25% lower 10-year morality among participants reaching 6 month follow up compared to those who did not
-- Decreased risk of institutionalization. 5 years following enrollment participants remain better than baseline gait speed, strength, balance, endurance and mobility ... Gerofit has published positive Veteran health and program outcomes for 30 years.
-- 25% lower 10-year morality among participants reaching 6 month follow up compared to those who did not
-- Decreased risk of institutionalization. 5 years following enrollment participants remain better than baseline gait speed, strength, balance, endurance and mobility
-- 92% Veterans report high satisfaction with program
-- Significant improvement in PTSD symptoms
-- Improved cardiometabolic profile
-- Significant improvement in well-being
-- Significant reductions in medication use with cost savings to medical centers for fewer refills
-- 10% lower 12-month hospitalization rate compared to controls. See more
Images
Gerofit outcomes
Metrics
- Physical Function
- Quality of Life
- Patient Satisfaction
- Mental Health
- Long Term Positive Health Trajectories
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Images
Veterans are given a personalized exercise prescription and encouraged and guided by trained exercise staff such as a physiologists, nurses or physical therapists. Group dynamics and friendships formed decrease social isolation and allow Veterans to share their unique military experiences.
Dr. Miriam Morey pictured above is one of the founders of the Gerofit program in 1986 in Durham, NC.
Videos
Video detailing the experience Veterans have had in the Gerofit program.
Implementation
Timeline
-
Beginning of the fiscal year
Weekly planning/training calls start immediately and continue for about six months. Ongoing monthly calls thereafter allow the hub site to continue to mentor and support young programs. -
Month 1
1. Gerofit Orientation and Program Development2. Appoint/detail program coordinator and exercise staff3. Clinic Set-up and Consult. Creation and Note Titles and Templates -
Month 1-2
1. Training on the Telehealth process and Gerofit patient flow2. Develop promotional materials3. Training on the physical functional testing4. Training on development of a progressive exercise prescription -
Month 3
Site visit to Durham for continued in-person training -
Month 3-5
1. Test Processes/Promote Program2. Training on database management3. Training on administering questionnaires -
Month 6
Open Consults/Enroll Patients!
Departments
- Geriatrics
- Adaptive sports
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy and kinesiothology
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
TOOLS |
|
Links
- Gerofit Website Gerofit: Promoting Exercise and Health for Older Veterans
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Appointing staff as collateral duty rather than solely committed staff | Leadership should understand that it takes a minimum of 2.0 dedicated FTEs to implement and run this clinical program with additional administrative support from the host service. |
| Lack of Space. Program requires a minimum of a large room, enough for 10-20 people to participate in an exercise class. | Explore possibilities to utilize unused space within your facility or consider contract with private exercise facility. |
About
Origin story
Original team
Gerofit: National Coordinating Center
Members
Katherine Hall, Ph.D
Gerofit Program Director
Kenneth Manning, M.S.
Gerofit Senior Exercise Physiologist
Stephen Jennings, M.S.
Gerofit Exercise Physiologist
Tyara Mason
Gerofit Exercise Physiologist
Megan Pearson, M.A.
Program Manager, Gerofit National Expansion
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