Sociology

Recent growth in the population of older people has made many of them depended on assisted living facilities. It is estimated that nearly 27 million seniors will rely on long term care services by 2050 promoting a need to develop active aging programs in assisted living environments (Friedland, 2005). These long term facilities offer lifeline to individuals who have lost capacity to self care due to chronic illness or another disabling condition.

As coordinator of activities, it is important for managers that they try to dismiss typical stereotypes of aging. It is now a well known fact that Ageist stereotypes are pervasive in developed countries which are harmful to psychological well being, physical health and survival for older people (Ory, Hoffman, Hawkins, Sanner,  Mockenhaupt, 2003). To dismiss such stereotypes and promote concept of active ageing, mangers can introduce programs to help revitalize lives of elders living in assisted living housing. The importance of such programs is envisioned by the concept of noncommunicable diseases which may be the leading cause of death at an older age. According to a popular health theory, the successful elimination of most infectious diseases by 1970 has coincidently given rise to other potent killers like high blood pressure, unsafe cholesterol levels and lower vital capacity. The NCD, noncommunicable diseases, can only be tackled by bringing a positive change in lifestyle. These negative factors are attributed to compression of morbidity but active aging programs can actually extend lifespan to very near the end of life (Kalache, Aboderin,  Hoskins, 2002).

This article provides four senior friendly living options that can be used to produce positive health outcomes in senior care environment in general and assisted living facility, in particular. All of these programs have proved highly successful in varied settings and present a constructive model to managers on how they may create healthy living environments for elders. Each living option is accompanied by statistics, successful case studies and suggestions.

Fitness Classes
Managers often have to dispel concerns by seniors that exercising is not going to help in an old age. Contrary to popular belief, regular short cycles of physical activity helps lower the risk of disease prevalent in assisted living facilities. Some of the patients who can get substantial advantage from short bursts of fitness rounds include those affected by Alzheimers, dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity. Usually, these concerns are forwarded by seniors who are either frail or are unable to exercise. Since a majority of seniors in assisted living facility are of later type, managers should not implement a program without consulting medical practitioner. Each participant must have individual session with a medical trainer who is able to suggest particular exercises that would improve mobility and reduce frailty thus reducing risk of falling or broken bones. Moreover, moderate to high level exercise should always be supervised in a class setting. Chair exercises, water aerobics and swimming are good examples of fitness workout for seniors.
The success of these fitness classes is evident by positive outcomes of several programs across America, initiated by the support of American College of Sports Medicine (Graves, 2002, p. 5-9).

Project SSTRIVE is a leading example that is tailored towards older people between 60 to 95 years old. The average age of participant is 76 years and at any one time, 15 to 20 attendants are involved. Following a group warm up, participants complete a single set of 10-15 repetitions of 8 exercises. Resistance is increased when the group is able to perform 12 repetitions of exercise for 2 consecutive sessions. The outcome measure of this program is strength, physical and mental self efficacy.

Another similar program but targeting a different group of elders is based at North State College in Fullerton, California. This successful ageing program is generally geared to 50-100 years old with full functional abilities. Program components include group total body conditioning to Music, Yoga and Tai Chi. Similar musical exercise themes involve other versions including 3Ps Power, Polymeric and Pilates. The college also offers balance and mobility classes. Every training class is initiated by senior fitness tests developed by famous experts like Rikki and Jones including a 50 foot walk test for pre or post assessment.

Fit Forever is another success story which is sponsored by the Wellness Center at Broward General Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This program offers a full service exercise facility to individuals with a history of cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases. There are 100-200 members participating in this course. Classes meet on weekdays when individuals exercise from 30 to 90 minutes. Emphasis is on aerobics and strength training. Aerobics includes Spinning, Cardio Kickboxing, Lunch Crunch, Muscle Madness and Super Step classes.

There are more than 17 such programs that are actively sponsored by the Interest Group on Ageing. The aim of this listing is to provide evidence from a variety of different fitness programs that have promoted active ageing. Managers of assisted living communities can take their guidance from such sources in order to implement a successful exercise schedule that will keep elders physically and mentally, active.

Brain Teaser Programs
Latest scientific research shows that specific lifestyle changes can improve the level of functioning of our brains, considerably. Such a brain friendly living may include popular brain related regimen involving stress management, Yoga, balanced nutrition and mental simulation. In their book, the Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness, 18 interviews with scientists, practical advice, and product reviews, scientist Elvaro Fernandez and Elkohonon Goldberg provide conclusive proof on how mental stimulation helps elders live longer, offering evidence from 100 peer review journals.

A brain friendly lifestyle will involve a balanced nutrition because what is good for body is good for brain. Stress management techniques such as Yoga and meditation can also play important role in combating memory loss and heart diseases. Mental simulation from board games or related activities can help build a neuroprotective cognitive reserve which helps delay the onset of Alzheimers.

In order to better understand the impact of brain teaser and computer cognitive programs, it is helpful to indicate that nearly 150,000 US Army soldiers have undergone this type of training to reduce war effects. These programs are just not restricted to soldiers but research also suggests that nearly 8000 people have got help to improve their driving safety records. It is now estimated that nearly 700 independent and assisted living facilities in United Sates are offering some kind of computer cognitive training (Fernandez, 2009).

As a manager of assisted living facility, one should not ignore the impact of these programs. Due to their widespread popularity, it should not be difficult to get a government sponsor to set up computer aided cognitive training. Furthermore, brain teaser does not necessarily mean that managers have to rely on acquiring expansive equipment. With little deliberation on part of the management, numerous board games provide enough exercise to keep elders mentally active. Furthermore, such exercises also act to maintain social network for seniors who are reluctant to join active ageing programs because of physical limitations.

Visiting Volunteer Program
According to the United States labor statistics, the volunteer rate in America is continuisily on the rise increasing to 26.8 percent comprising approximately 63.4 million. This is good news for managers as visiting volunteer program is an integral part of most senior communities. It is also one of the most favored and highly successful programs in assisted living communities. Many local organizations are willing to provide volunteers who not only offer assistance but may become life long friends. Visiting volunteer programs are specially designed for lonely elderly with few relatives or those in need of more social contacts. These volunteers are often pre trained and then matched with a senior according to their needs. Managers should make sure that they pre-screen such programs because a reputable organization always checks criminal backgrounds and other relevant aspects of candidates.

The Leave a Legacy Program of Alterra Wynwood in Leominster, Massachusetts is an excellent example. It constitutes multi faceted reminiscence and writing program where a group of volunteers read aloud form their journals, read and reminisce. Members of assisted living facility recall memories while volunteers help them write and organize so that it can be saved for future generation as well as generate candid atmosphere where everyone could share the most exciting moments of their lives. Additional benefits from these reading and wiring sessions include the reduction of anxiety and the capability to boost immune system (Kelley  Mosher Ashley 2002).

For a volunteer program to be successful, it must be a partnership between paid and unpaid staff. Paid staff should understand that volunteers are helping them to reach their goals therefore it is the duty of managers to involve staff in articulating the mission, purpose and visions of the volunteer program. The most important step in establishing a joint venture between staff and volunteers is to analyze if there is a need for such a volunteerism. A staff that does not understand the volunteer dynamics or a volunteer who is reluctant to perform duties can hamper a relationship which is built on trust. Sometimes, the volunteer program is initiated in reverse when volunteer organization or volunteer reaches out to assisted living communities with special skills, knowledge or agenda. Such a situation also allows managers to consult workforce or carry out a survey of their facility to evaluate if such a relationship would benefits the facility.

Remodeling of Living Space
Most managers of assisted living facilities often ignore one of the most fundamental aspects of their environment, which is to remodel a portion of living space to better suit the lifestyle requirements of elders. According to AARP, disability means that people require assistance because of difficulty with personal care activities known as activities of daily living, ADL. ADL includes bathing, dressing, getting gout of bed using toilets and related chores. A research by AARP found that nearly 40 percent of seniors require assistance with two or more ADL. Such is the impact of these ADL that AARP further suggest that 69 percent of older adults would prefer to move to a place that provides caring services rather than living with their families (Marsden, 2005, p. 9-10). Adding to this dilemma are figures by OSHA dictating that nearly one third of the population over 65 experiences a risk of fatal fall, every year accounting for nearly 40 of admissions to hospitals. Among these accidents 70 are bathroom accidents.

Amid constraints on budgets and significant portion of bathroom accidents, remodeling bathrooms should be the top priority of mangers. Remodeling should not be costly endeavor. Some tips such as using battery powered tub lifts to raise and lower the bather in deep tubs is just one alternative. Installation of hand showers would also make it easier for adults to keep safe. To deal with privacy issues, a glass block window may provide suitable solution to maintain natural light. There should be places to grasp in front of cabinets and toilet seats making it easier for adults to maneuver. In cases such as dizziness, towel bars can prevent seniors from falling therefore every bathroom should have at least two towel bars. These are just some of the practical tips which mangers of assisted living facilities can use to prevent foreseeable accidents.

The above guidelines can also help managers to develop a more coherent strategy. Of course, there are other such programs that can be executed to provide a more thriving experience to elder communities. In this regard, a survey would help indicate those experiences.