Analyses of Health Care Centers: Study 2: Adapting to Aging in Place: An Assessment of Residential Living Facility Residents’ Physical Activity Program Expectations

With almost 1 in 20 residents of Kentucky expected to be over 60 by 2020, aging in place has taken on a new urgency. Consider the case of Village Manor, a medium sized independent retirement community in rural Kentucky. When the community was built in the late 1980’s, designers did not anticipate residents’ long term physical activity needs. In order to meet the needs of current and future residents, both resident physical activity levels and their expectations were examined. The Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE) was administered (n = 96) to develop a profile of current physical activity. Three focus groups were held to develop themes relating to residents’ current physical activity program desires. Results showed that compared to the theoretical physical activity recommendations for this age group (mean age = 88; 64-98), resident’s current activity levels were less. At the same time, their desires for specific physical activity programs (type, length, intensity) were not being met. Focus group participants were asked to discuss barriers to exercising and to brainstorm about ways in which their residence could be adapted which might lead to increased physical activity. This poster concludes with recommendations for fitness area enhancement to increase the likelihood of Kentucky older residents meeting nationally recognized physical activity levels