Movement as Medicine!
Article by Jennifer Snyder MSc, Digital Health Connector and Privacy Officer, Rural Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (RFLA) Allied Health Team, part of Kingston Community Health Centres.
June 1, 2023.
Movement is an important aspect of aging well! That is a fundamental view of kinesiologists, human movement specialists, who apply exercise science to promote health and wellbeing, prevent, manage, and rehabilitate injuries, restore function, and manage chronic conditions. Seniors in the rural Frontenac, Lennox and Addington counties can join a variety of exercise-based group programs run by registered kinesiologist, Katherine Taylor and other members of the RFLA Allied Health Team.
“There is nothing more rewarding than helping an older adult connect to a meaningful life goal like taking a trip with their grandkids, attending a recreational event in the community or safely continuing a lifelong activity,” says Katherine.
About eight exercise group programs run at various times of the year through RFLA Allied Health Team. Each program has a different focus that may involve the expertise of other health professionals from the team, for example:
- CHANGE is a 12-month program developed by Metabolic Syndrome Canada. It is co-led with a registered dietitian and aims to reverse Metabolic Syndrome through exercise and diet.
- COPD Exercise Group is a 12-week program, co-led by a registered respiratory therapist, to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) manage their symptoms and mobility.
- GLA:D is a 7-week program developed by GLA:D Canada, to help people with knee and hip osteoarthritis manage their pain and loss of function.
- Women on Weights is an 11-week program focused on strength training, as well as balance and posture exercises to help to maintain bone density and prevent falls and fractures.
“As various health conditions start to affect the quality of life, sense of well-being, and functional independence, I find that seniors become more interested in the types of programming we offer,” Katherine stated.
During the pandemic, the RFLA Allied Health Team made the transition from in-person to virtual sessions quite easily, as it was already in the works to help residents who lived in more remote areas join the group programs being offered. Many programs are back to being offered in-person now, but virtual options remain for most programs.
These programs are free to participants and referral from a primary care provider is not required. For more information about their programs and services, visit the RFLA Health website.
Photo: Participants of the Women on Weights program led by Katherine Taylor, Registered Kinesiologist