As we age, staying active is crucial for maintaining our physical health, but an often-overlooked aspect of well-being is the importance of social interactions. For active older adults, combining social activities with recreational activities can significantly enhance quality of life. Recreational activities can be essential to your health in many ways, including the following:

Enhances Mental Health – Social interactions can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, common issues among older adults. Engaging in recreational activities with peers provides a sense of community and belonging. This social engagement can lead to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies have shown that older adults who maintain strong social connections have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Boosts Physical Health – When recreation is done in a group setting, it often becomes more enjoyable, encouraging consistent participation. Group activities like walking clubs, dancing, yoga classes, or team sports not only improve physical health but also increase adherence to regular exercise routines. Social support can motivate older adults to push themselves a bit more, leading to better overall fitness.

Improves Cognitive Function – Engaging in social recreational activities stimulates the mind and keeps it active. Activities like card games, board games, or even group classes for learning new skills (e.g., painting, crafts, or a new language) can help improve memory, problem-solving abilities, and other cognitive functions. The mental stimulation from these activities is essential for maintaining cognitive health as we age.

Fosters Emotional Well-being – Being part of a social group can provide emotional support, which is vital for handling life's challenges and changes, especially as we get older. Sharing experiences, laughter, and even challenges with friends can lead to stronger emotional resilience. The sense of companionship and the joy of shared experiences can enhance overall happiness and satisfaction with life.

Promotes Lifelong Learning – Participating in recreational activities often involves learning new skills or hobbies. This lifelong learning process is beneficial for keeping the brain sharp and engaged. Whether it's picking up a new sport, learning to play an instrument, or exploring new technologies, continuous learning fosters a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Creates a Support Network – In later years, having a robust support network is invaluable. Regular social interactions through recreational activities help build and maintain your social network. Friends made through activities can offer practical support, companionship, and encouragement.

Encourages a Positive Outlook on Life – Regular participation in social recreational activities can significantly improve one’s outlook on life. Being active in a social environment creates opportunities for fun, laughter, and meaningful connections. This positivity can lead to a greater sense of overall well-being and a more optimistic view of aging.

Creating social interaction with recreational activities is vital for the holistic well-being of older adults. It enhances mental and physical health, fosters emotional support, and promotes a positive outlook on life. By staying socially active, older adults can enjoy a higher quality of life and maintain their independence and vitality for years to come. This month our client locations in senior living are engaging in programming centered around recreation and being social. Encourage your friends and fellow residents to get out there, join a group, make new friends, and keep moving!

We know that practicing gratitude can have profound effects on our health and wellbeing, but in our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to brush off and overlook all of the good around us. Because of this, NIFS staff across the country took the month of November, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, to give thanks and practice gratitude with their residents through our own Operation Gratitude program. Some of the popular offerings and events included a month-long self-care calendar, relaxation through additional mindfulness and meditation practices, a mindful meal, journaling, workshops, small group discussions, gratitude letters and candygrams, random acts of kindness, philanthropy, and a whole lot of awe walks! Here are some of the benefits our participants observed:

• Stress Reduction: Practicing gratitude acts as a powerful stress reliever while training our minds to focus on the good things in our lives and be present in this moment. This shift in our perspective helps us to counteract daily stressors and anxiety and promotes a feeling of calm and relaxation.
• Mental Health Benefits: Practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression and increase our overall quality of life. When we shift our focus to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of our life more, we adopt a more optimistic outlook and see the “negatives” less which dramatically improves our mental health as a result.
• Physical Health Benefits: The benefits of practicing gratitude extend far beyond our mental well-being and can even positively impact our physical health. Research suggests that practicing gratitude helps to reduce inflammation, improve immune function, lower blood pressure, and improve quality of sleep.
• Enhanced Relationships: When we express gratitude towards others, we strengthen our relationships and connection with them. Practicing gratitude can lead to improved communication, increased empathy, and stronger social connections. These connections can be linked to better mental and physical health outcomes as well.
• Improved Resilience: By practicing gratitude and focusing on the positive things in our lives we develop an abundance mindset which allows us to take on challenges with more ease. Individuals who are grateful exhibit increased resiliency, adaptability, and in turn can cope with life’s surprises with a bit more ease.

Throughout month of gratitude, we engaged nearly 2,500 different residents in gratitude offerings at least once, many multiple times, and collected donations for local food banks, the Salvation Army, Family Promise, and the Alzheimer’s Association. At the conclusion of the month, and the NIFS program, residents continued to practice gratitude by sharing what they appreciated about the program. Feedback ranged from feeling lighter and brighter throughout the tasks of day to feeling free to let go of pain after chemotherapy, and everywhere in between. We at NIFS are grateful for the communities we partner with and the ability to serve their residents every day!

When programming for your community’s fitness center, don’t forget to step outside of the fitness bubble sometimes and engage residents through whole-person wellness offerings. You just might be able to reach a whole new audience, and impact your current superusers in a new way, too!

Learn more about how NIFS Programming supports wellness and impacts quality of life for your residents!

Every senior living community offers group fitness classes.  If you want to stand out from the competition, you have to offer more.

Good is no longer good enough.

So much in senior living is evolving, except for fitness.  The fitness industry itself is evolving, and rapidly, but many communities aren’t progressing to adopt new exercise equipment for older adults, updated staff-led services that increase resident participation, or smart data from the fitness program that can inform future decision making.

What about your community?  It’s likely that you are offering at least some group fitness classes that the residents choose from each week.  These classes in senior living, especially formats that specifically address balance training or brain health, are a must for any senior living community.  There’s a decent chance that your residents love their group instructors, and the report from your life enrichment director probably notes that the classes are well-attended and well-liked.

There’s also a strong likelihood that you haven’t looked closely at your exercise program recently as a place where the community could position itself as a leader in your market.  Good is no longer good enough.  Good is a starting point; it doesn’t mean the exercise program for your members is complete. 

It’s time to do more than group fitness.

When prospective residents walk into your community for a tour, they see a welcoming, warm lobby area with social nooks for sharing a cup of coffee and the latest gossip or viral YouTube video.  On the tour, you show them contemporary dining venues with menus that make their mouths water. You talk about updated apartments, technology tools that help them stay connected to their family and the larger community.   

As the tour progresses through the community, you eventually arrive at the exercise room. (Or maybe you skip the exercise area because it doesn’t contribute positively to the lifestyle you’re selling.) And it looks old, maybe like an afterthought. The equipment is donated or dated, the artwork is original to the wall, the small collection of dumbbells have cracked vinyl or rusted edges, and the information on the bulletin boards is no longer current.  Worst of all, it’s a ghost town; no one is in there.

It’s a disconnect for the individuals on the tour.  And while that disconnect is real for your prospects today, it will be even more jarring for future prospects and adult children who are the savviest health consumers we’ve seen to date. Certainly, you can’t update all areas in your community at the same time, and there are many priorities ahead of the fitness space(s).  But that doesn’t mean a revitalization of the exercise program should be entirely off the table. 

You don’t necessarily need massive capital budgets to make improvements in your community fitness center.  And you don’t need to blow your operating budget to provide vibrant exercise-related programming to community.  But if you want to start using elements of your senior living programming to combat someday syndrome at your community, you absolutely have to do more than offer group fitness classes.

Find out how to do better for your residents.

Your prospects expect more than just classes on the calendar, your current residents deserve better, and NIFS can help you get there.  Find out more about how the right staff, the right services and the right equipment can positively and profoundly impact the exercise program you're offering your residents. Click below to find out more.

As the seasons change and leaves take on vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange we are reminded that much like an artist, we can craft our lives in beautiful ways, and what better time to celebrate that reminder with our senior residents than during Active Aging Week? Active Aging Week, celebrated annually, shines a light on the importance of maintaining an active and engaged lifestyle as we age. This year, at NIFS, we’ve decided to focus on “aging artfully” and help the residents in the communities that we partner with age well through embracing their creativity.

As fitness professionals, we are sometimes met with surprise when we step outside of the fitness center and run programs that are more wellness and activity based, but across the country we have a team full of passionate and creative staff, and together we focus on total person health and wellness. We know that aging doesn’t mean there has to be a decline in quality of life, but instead provides opportunities to explore new passions, hobbies, and forms of self-expression. As we hold offerings to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being this week we will also be emphasizing the role of art and creativity in active aging and bringing light to some of the benefits that come with them:

1. Social Interaction: We know that not all residents in our communities are fitness buffs, so offering programs that are outside of the box gives us the ability to connect with a new group of residents and ease them into participating in other wellness programs and events. For all, joining in on creative groups and classes combats loneliness and isolation and helps to foster social connections while nurturing creativity.
2. Mental Stimulation: Engaging in creative activities and trying new things stimulates and enhances cognitive function and memory while keeping your mind active.
3. Emotional Well-being: Increased happiness, a sense of accomplishment, and stress reduction are all biproducts of creative expression thanks to an outlet for emotions. Participating in creative programs can help reduce stress, improve mood, and provide an avenue for processing emotions and memories.
4. Self-Discovery: Exploring your creative side can help you to better understand your interests, and help you find new hobbies and passions. It’s never too late to learn an instrument, try your hand at painting, or share your wisdom. Your creative work can also become a meaningful legacy!

Some of the programs that our staff have planned for this active aging week include classes in various mediums of art, music, dance, writing, expressive exercise classes paired with music or art, outdoor exercise in nature, active adventures, upcycling projects, collaborative offerings with other departments including food and beverage, activities, physical therapy, and so much more.

Artful aging is about staying engaged in the world around us, embracing creativity and living with intention. Celebrate Active Aging Week with us by embracing the art of aging well.

Learn more about how NIFS programming makes an impact in senior living!

Why 10,000 steps a day?

10,000 steps per day has become a well-known exercise recommendation to achieve better health, but how important is it to aim for that many steps per day? Some people feel that in everyday life, 10k steps isn’t very attainable and while that may feel true, that is exactly why the bar is set so high. Older adults, along with most other age groups live a mostly sedentary lifestyle and walking is one of the simplest exercises that can be recommended for someone looking to get more movement in their day. So why 10,000 steps instead of 1,000 or 5,000? Basically, studies are showing us that the more movement we have, the more our risk for several health issues decreases. For example, this journal was published linking 10,000 steps per day to less cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke and heart failure), 13 types of cancer, and dementia. For a healthy, older adult, 7,000-10,000 steps are ideal. However, keep in mind that if you currently live with a disability or chronic illness, your step recommendation may be different. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise plan and setting a step goal to make sure that is the right plan for you!  

Building up to 10,000 steps

 The great news is that some steps are better than no steps, but we should all certainly be aiming for more since the average American only gets about 3,000 steps per day! Maybe you are reading this blog because you have been given the goal of 10,000 steps per day, but you aren’t sure how to achieve it. So, let’s talk about it! First, it is probably a good idea to invest in a pedometer. These can be purchased online or in stores or can use your smartphone app (most have a built-in step counter!). Better yet, if you have access to fitness professionals, tap into their knowledge and set a plan.

Here is an example of how NIFS Fitness staff might encourage a member to build steps:

• First, find your baseline. Spend a few days tracking your steps to see what your average per day step count is. Do not try to get more steps on these days because that will skew your actual average.
• Second, focus on adding 250-500 steps each day or every other day so you can feel how your body responds.
• If 250 additional steps each day leaves you feeling sore and fatigued, do not add more steps for 2-3 days, but maintain that additional 250 instead.
• Once your soreness has subsided, add another 250 steps to your daily count.

 Creative ways to add steps:

• Are you a member of a fitness center? Take an extra lap around the track or add a 1–2-minute cool down to your treadmill work out.
• Carve out time daily to get outdoors to walk around the block or walk the park path. Invite a friend along.
• Consider setting an alarm to remind you to get up and get moving!
• Going shopping? Park your car a couple of spots further away to add steps (unless it is icy or raining- then you need to park closer!)
• Stuck at home? You can do seated steps! At every TV commercial, sit up straight in your chair and start marching those arms and legs!

Senior living communities with robust fitness centers offer residents a variety of fun and unique ways to stay active along with traditional fitness, like biking, swimming, and strength training so that walking doesn’t have to be the only option to stay active. It is good to become aware of the number of steps you take because it benefits your health and the simple act of being conscious toward your step count is a great start. Having a goal to achieve a certain number of steps each day can have lasting improvements in many aspects of your life and if you find exercises that are fun for you, you will notice that achieving your step goals will be easier. Additionally, the effects of goal setting and attaining those goals you established can improve self-confidence and motivation toward exercise. You can even challenge your friends, family, or peers to see who can reach the highest steps each day. Keeping exercise interesting, fun, and attainable is important to staying engaged and committed to improving your health.

What are some ways you have managed to be less sedentary and get in your steps most days of the week?

Register your community for our FREE educational event and get your residents pumping for Parkinson's Disease as we raise awareness!

Over 15 years ago, I remember sitting down at the computer in my senior living client’s fitness center and Googling, “exercises for Parkinson’s disease”. I had a new resident move-in with Parkinson’s and though I’m a certified and degreed exercise physiologist, I wanted to make sure I understood how to support her needs. Her name was Carolyn and I still remember her smile.

I now work at the operational level for NIFS supporting dozens of senior living clients and team members across the country. I benefit from a bird’s eye view of hearing successes and challenges impacting our communities and what residents want in their fitness center. I was continuing to hear requests from clients and staff for Parkinson’s resources. Our clients wanting a quality, yet manageable program that stands up to their brand promise in helping residents live well, and from our staff feeling like there were missed opportunities to better engage these residents.

Our staff are degreed fitness professionals, but those credentials don’t tell the full story of who they are as people. They are intuitive and gifted in relationship building with their members. They shared stories of individuals with Parkinson’s trying an existing balance class and noticing they weren’t coming back. They shared stories of what they were witnessing in the emotional needs of these residents who can also experience fatigue and depression.

As a prospective or current resident with a diagnosis speaks to our clients or staff, we want them to feel confidently met with exercise options that they know are designed for their needs. This is where Bold Moves was born. We spent over a year researching, completing specialized certifications, and meeting with our team to learn not only how to better support the exercise needs of those with Parkinson’s, but in a way that we know is manageable in a senior living fitness environment. We know the equipment, spaces, personnel, and resources commonly in place and created safe and empowering programming with Bold Moves that our staff could apply across different client settings.

Many think they have classes and one-on-one services that residents with Parkinson’s can participate in already. This was our line of thinking too. But after implementing Bold Moves, the level of engagement by residents with Parkinson’s skyrocketed. In the first two months of the program, we saw a 96% increase in group fitness participation by these individuals having a dedicated class on the calendar uniquely designed for their training needs. We have also seen a 100%+ increase in completion of our one-on-one exercise prescription service. These residents are regularly engaging in their community’s fitness centers more and it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since the days of that simple Google search looking for resources!

We were so pumped by these outcomes; we wanted to celebrate and share resources to help more communities support their residents. On World Parkinson’s Day, we are going BIG with Pump it for Parkinson’s. During this nationwide event on Tuesday, April 11, senior living providers will come together, utilize complimentary programming materials to host their NuStep step-a-thon, and receive expert resources from NIFS to continue supporting their residents with Parkinson’s. Don’t have a NuStep in your community? That’s OK. We can find opportunities utilizing the equipment you do have. It is estimated that one million people are living in the US with Parkinson’s and our goal is to come together and complete at least one million steps on the NuStep as we Pump it for Parkinson’s. In addition to the great Parkinson’s resources including instructional videos for your fitness staff and education from NIFS Registered Dietitian, your community will also have an opportunity to win a free NuStep T6 Cross Trainer in thanks to our partnership with NuStep! We are thankful for our industry partners with NuStep, ICAA and Wellzesta who are helping us spread the word about this event so more communities can join us. For more information and to register your community, visit our Pump it for Parkinson’s page here.

The National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) presents Pump It for Parkinson’s on World Parkinson’s Day, April 11, 2023. NIFS has partnered with NuStep inviting senior living communities across the country to take part in this event to raise awareness on the benefits of exercise for individuals with Parkinson’s. Pump It for Parkinson’s will be a day-long NuStep challenge for senior communities striving to achieve 30,000 steps on their NuStep.

Emily Davenport, NIFS Director of Fitness Center Management, said, “communities can rally their entire campus by bringing together their residents and employees to accomplish the goal!” NIFS will provide communities with a complimentary programming packet including tracking tools, promotional content, and educational resources they need to get their residents excited. The event’s goal is to accrue 1 million steps representing the 1 million people in the US living with Parkinson’s!

“Whether this event is a community’s first program dedicated to supporting residents with Parkinson’s or a fun add-on to existing offerings, we want to provide resources as they continue to help residents fight back against Parkinson’s,” said Davenport. Participating communities will also receive a Parkinson’s fitness toolkit of resources and videos they can use in their fitness center. Communities that want to get involved need to register here.

“We’re pleased to partner with NIFS and support their event, Pump It for Parkinson’s. And we’re honored that participants will be using NuStep cross trainers throughout the day to demonstrate the importance of exercise for people with Parkinson’s," said NuStep Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, Tobey Thelen. As an added incentive, thanks to NuStep and NIFS, communities may be eligible to win a NuStep T6 Cross Trainer for participating in Pump It for Parkinson's.

Nearly 10 million individuals are living with Parkinson’s Disease worldwide and each year 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with this degenerative condition. Three years ago, NIFS embarked on developing a comprehensive fitness program to meet the unique needs of residents with Parkinson’s Disease for their senior living community clients. From this, Bold Moves programming specifically designed for residents with Parkinson’s was born.

NIFS would like to thank strategic partners, NuStep and Wellzesta, for supporting Pump It for Parkinson’s and their help in creating awareness of the unique fitness needs residents with Parkinson’s Disease have.

To find out more about Fitness Center Management by NIFS, call (317) 274-3432, email Emily Davenport.

NuStep is a leading manufacturer of recumbent cross-trainers used in healthcare, senior living, and fitness settings worldwide.

Communities can learn more about this complimentary program and register for the event by clicking the button below!

Follow the event on our Facebook page: Pump It for Parkinson's

“What keeps NIFS from inviting folks with varying neurological conditions into our Bold Moves for Parkinson’s class since it is also a neurological disease??”

This is a great question because it is a priority for our clients (and for us) to make sure programs and services are as inclusive as possible. But in this situation, Bold Moves is specifically designed for those who have Parkinson’s Disease and here are a few considerations on why that is the case!

Did You Know...

• ...Parkinson’s Disease is progressive and without a cure?
• ...medications and surgical procedures are only to help minimize symptoms?
• ...those same medications start to wear off and do not help as much as they did at the start of use?
• ...exercise is prescribed just as much if not more than medication for symptom management?

NIFS Bold Moves group fitness class is exclusively available to residents with Parkinson’s because the training modalities they need to manage symptoms are unique. We followed the science to make sure we were bringing our clients and their residents an evidence-based program for their fitness center and while exercise is GREAT for anyone, that doesn’t mean ALL exercises are meant for everyone. Some training modalities that benefit those with Parkinson’s in Bold Moves may be contraindicated for individuals with other neurological conditions.

Our goal with Bold Moves is to provide a safe space that encourages the types of exercise that will assist those with Parkinson’s to ease symptoms of the disease. For example, large, big, (dare we say, bold 😉,) movements are encouraged for range of motion and fighting rigidity, but did you know we should not encourage cross over steps for these participants? Another example of a warmup we might include is for facial muscles due to the symptoms that limit muscle movement in the face which can lead to further problems with swallowing and talking. Yes, we will include fitness staples like cardiovascular exercise, full body strength, and flexibility exercises, but they will each be nuanced for the symptoms individuals experience with Parkinson’s. Furthermore, if a group setting isn’t enjoyable for a resident, they can receive an individualized Bold Moves fitness program utilizing the equipment in the fitness center or the pool!

While these exercise considerations are clear in the Bold Moves training NIFS team members receive, how they format their classes remains unique for their participants. We don’t take a cookie cutter approach across our communities in how we format a fitness class, plan an exercise challenge, or promote the next big splash in aquatics programming and Bold Moves is no exception. Our skilled staff learn from their residents at each community and create a program that meets participants where they are with Bold Moves classes looking different at every client site NIFS serves. We love seeing how our team applies their Bold Moves training to give the program its own unique flavor at every community!

Recently, NIFS interviewed several members at varying client locations to get their feedback on why they participate in this program and if it has helped them. The answer is a resounding yes! They are feeling the difference in how their body moves and feels after their sessions. They are paying attention more to the cues NIFS fitness staff provide them during class and remind themselves when they are out in the community. Most importantly, they are thankful someone has the understanding that they cannot control these movement symptoms and they have confidence that they are performing the best exercises unique to their needs as part of their symptom management.

Learn more about our program for residents with Parkinson's Disease by clicking below.

Exercise continues to be one of the best tools to slow the progression and combat symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and the need for senior living communities to have dedicated exercise programs for residents with Parkinson’s is increasing. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed annually and 96% of those diagnosed are over the age of 50 leaving seniors looking for best-in-class amenities and services including fitness professionals who understand their condition and can help them safely maximize the benefits of exercise.

Executive directors and marketing directors in the senior living communities NIFS serves were asking us for a marketable program they could offer in their fitness centers to support both current and prospective residents with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. NIFS culminated our years of experience developing expert health and fitness programming, supporting residents with Parkinson’s, and immersing ourselves in the science and research to develop Bold Moves™ a Parkinson’s Program by NIFS.

While NIFS had the resources to develop such a program, it was no easy feat and as usual we relied on our expert staff to help us learn what works, what doesn’t, and what resources and education we needed to enhance our department. Our staffs’ passion and commitment to finding exercise solutions to support the needs of their residents is boundless and supporting those with Parkinson’s is no exception as they helped us develop Bold Moves to incorporate:

We were able to learn from the experiences of team members across the US and industry experts in the field of exercise and Parkinson’s to create a truly unique program for our residents. Best of all, it’s making an impact with how much residents are engaging in exercise generating a 96% increase in group fitness visits by participants and 92% of them rating Bold Moves as good to outstanding. These statistics are from residents already residing at these communities which indicates a dedicated Parkinson’s program supports these residents in moving more!

Today, NIFS team members complete a comprehensive 8-week training including a specialty certification in Parkinson’s & Exercise to effectively launch Bold Moves for our clients. We collaborate with community personnel to incorporate an interdisciplinary team approach to bridge resources and care where needed. Residents with PD have confidence in the credentials of their fitness staff and a program uniquely designed to meet them wherever they are in their fitness journey. In turn, NIFS senior living clients have a marketable service that helps them create distinction in their marketplace with 100% of participants rating Bold Moves as a great feature of a great community!

Here are a few questions to evaluate on how your community could take steps to support residents with Parkinson’s:

• What are the credentials of my fitness staff to deliver effective and safe Parkinson’s fitness programs?
• Do we have a class on the group fitness schedule that provides the training modalities, equipment and safety factors to support residents with Parkinson’s in a class setting?
• For those who don’t like group exercise, how can we provide exercise options for them in the fitness center or pool that can help them manage symptoms?
• What pathways to bridge resources are established with other disciplines in your community like physical, occupational or speech therapy, dietitians, or healthcare navigators?
  
  

What is Parkinson’s? It is neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. An individual might start with a gradual tremor in one hand, but this disease can result in numerous symptoms at different levels of severity including stiffness, slowing of movement, and disturbances to his/ her sense of balance. It cannot be cured but medications are given to try to improve symptoms. Exercises can be prescribed to help improve strength, flexibility, and balance and adherence to a regular exercise program is one of the best treatments options in managing symptoms and empowering those with Parkinson’s to fight back against the disease!

There are multiple benefits of exercise for those with Parkinson’s including:

• increasing muscle strength, flexibility, and balance
• improving well-being by reducing depression and anxiety
• slowing down the disease and controlling symptoms
• reducing pain and helping with emotional well-being
• preventing falls by building strength and decreasing fatigue
• improving sleep

The specificity of an exercise program for those with Parkinson’s is important to adequately manage symptoms and prevent fatigue.

• Most people should try to reach a goal of 30-40 min per week of cardiovascular exercise such as walking, biking, and swimming.
• As Parkinson’s can affect your posture, it is important to also add strength training and a stretch program to improve your core strength and overall range of motion.

There are different stages of the disease and medications will affect an individual suffering from Parkinson’s differently. Consulting with a qualified exercise physiologist who understands the unique needs of someone with Parkinson’s is important to ensure a safe and effective plan is being followed and tailored as needs change. An individual needs to be mindful of their movements, and at times, it can be overwhelming. A supportive exercise physiologist to observe, adjust and encourage participation can be a significant help! An individual with Parkinson’s needs to focus on walking heal to toe, taking large steps, swinging their arms, building core strength and upper back strength, and continue a quality stretch program. It is also best to continue sequential movements for brain health such as line dancing (crossing your feet and moving backwards might be a challenge) or boxing can also aid in brain health. Most importantly, find something you enjoy doing that contains all of these benefits, and make it apart of your lifestyle, ask your friends to join you!

See how NIFS wellness program, Bold Moves supports the physical, social and emotional needs of residents managing life with Parkinson's by clicking below!