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OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE


Fitness for Every Body Becomes


The New Prevention Priority By Cynthia Bombach


strength, and a healthy weight can prevent or delay many health conditions and be prepared for what life brings their way. And it’s much better—and easier—to


P


maintain health in the first place than try to regain it after the fact. Health-conscious senior living prospects


are looking for communities that offer strong wellness programs to help them stay fit. Even residents who don’t like exercise can be motivated to participate if they’re given the right encouragement. To meet those needs, prevention-focused wellness programs can be delivered in a variety of ways—through inno- vative, holistic, and science-based approaches.


Making fitness fun One of the best ways to appeal to active residents and encourage sedentary ones is to make fitness fun. SRG Senior Living takes that idea to heart with its Zest initiative. Zest programming is based on health science and hard data but is designed to be joyful. Activities are planned around the inter-


ests of residents, with fun twists added to keep it fresh. For example, SRG survey data showed


that the top resident interest across all com- munities was collecting and listening to vinyl records. Directors turned that interest into Zest programming by instituting a monthly “Vinyl Variety Hour.” Each community was given a vintage record player. On the second Thursday of every month, residents are invited to bring their records, socialize, and dance. The get-togethers are a way to add health-boosting social and physical elements to an activity that residents already enjoy.


SRG’s Zest fitness program is based on science and data, but puts a priority on having fun, such as in this outdoor drum jam.


“It’s one of our most well-attended


events, and the differentiator is that we’re being data-driven in our programming approach,” says Sarah Matyko, corporate director of life enrichment at SRG. Zest activities are designed to incorporate


proven benefits for the mind, body, and soul. Program directors consider the end goal during the planning phase. “We begin with the end in mind,” Matyko says. “Do we want residents to socialize and enjoy the process? Do we want them to get exercise, which we know really helps prevent decline?”


Weaving in other elements Mind activities are designed to build up cognitive reserves. That’s done in part by educational programming and book club groups, but it also includes nutrition.


SRG launched Fresh Zest to offer a plant- based menu item at every meal. Chefs also highlight ingredients that are proven to help with health conditions such as arthritis experienced by community residents. The chef will highlight the beneficial ingredient, hand out printed information sheets, and make dishes for residents to sample. “It’s a way for us to educate them on how


to be healthy in their lifestyles now,” says Matyko. Programming for the body component


of Zest is based on research from the Blue Zones, the areas of the world where people are most likely to live to age 100 and beyond. “What we learn from the Blue Zones is


that it’s not going to the gym and pumping weights,” Matyko says. “It’s actually infusing feel-good movement into your day.”


MAY/JUNE 2022 ARGENTUM.ORG 31


hysical fitness is a primary com- ponent of successful aging: Older adults who maintain mobility,


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