Summary
Background: Digital solutions have great potential to improve functional capacity of older people with early physical impairments, living independently at home. In Finland, nearly half of people aged 75+ years belong to this group. Objectives: The aims were to 1) launch an online exercise model to promote functional capacity for ageing people, 2) train professionals and volunteers to organize online exercise and act as instructors or digital tutors, and 3) offer exercise videos and other digital materials to support organizing and practicing online exercise. Methods: The project included a 3,5-year development phase during 2017-2020, including pilots with 7 municipalities and 13 NGOs. Instructors were either professionals (n=5) or volunteers (n=12). In total, 42 volunteers were involved, supported by experts in sports, social and health care, and ICT. Results: 13 online exercise groups participated in 3-month interventions, including a weekly online exercise broadcast and encouragement for additional self-training with videos 1-3 times a week. Altogether 107 remote exercisers (age 60–91) participated. Results from objectively measured functioning (n=47) showed an overall increase in SPPB test (from 8,95 to 9,85 points) and in hand grip strength (from 23,6 to 25,1 N). The participants reported of positive effects on everyday life (such as home chores, moving), mood, social interaction, and digital skills. Municipalities and NGOs scored the project as effective for providing group exercise. Impact: In the development phase, online exercise proved to be effective, well-accepted, and implementable practice. It is currently at a national scaling-up and implementation phase in Finland.
Planning and Implementation
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What was the challenge you were trying to address?
The main target group was older persons above 75 years of age with early physical impairments. The target group experienced difficulties with participation and/or loneliness, they lived at home with no regular elderly care services. For most, online exercise was the only possibility to participate exercise groups as it was not possible to travel to onsite groups due to long distances, lack of transportation and diminishing functional abilities.
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Who were you trying to impact?
Older people with chronic health conditions or disability, Older people with vulnerabilities
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What sectors were you targeting?
Health, Information and Communication, Other
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Who else was involved?
Government, Civil Society Organization, Older People's Association
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How did older people participate?
Older people were part of the process at multiple or all stages
Lessons learned
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Please describe how collaboration worked in your initiative.
In pilot phase 7 municipalities and 13 NGOs. Now the programme is growing and more and more join.
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What was the impact of your initiative on older people, their families, and/or their communities?
In the development phase, 13 online exercise groups participated in 3-month interventions, including a weekly online exercise broadcast and encouragement for additional self-training with videos 1-3 times a week. Altogether 107 remote exercisers (age 60–91) participated. Results from objectively measured functioning (n=47) showed an overall increase in SPPB test (from 8,95 to 9,85 points) and in hand grip strength (from 23,6 to 25,1 N). The participants reported of positive effects on everyday life (such as home chores, moving), mood, social interaction, and digital skills. Municipalities and NGOs scored the project as effective for providing group exercise. Impact: In the development phase, online exercise proved to be effective, well-accepted, and implementable practice. It is currently at a national scaling-up and implementation phase in Finland.
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What issues did you face, and how did you address them?
Launching of an online exercise group often takes 2-6 months. With no training and support, the process often is more complicated and prolonged. Reaching the potential municipalities and NGOs and informing them of the support provided by Age Institute is critical. Digital support is needed for both the organizers and exercisers, and local solutions need to be found. Age Institute can assist in finding the solutions for the local digital support but cannot provide one-to-one digital support. Launching an online exercise group requires knowledge on exercise, digital solutions and needs of older people. With just one or two active agents, the process is vulnerable. In our training we emphasize the need for co-operation between individuals and organizations. Volunteers are a valuable resource, but not always easy to recruit. However, online exercise has been experienced as a novel and interesting way to contribute as a volunteer. In larger cities, organizations and processes are rather complex, creating a challenge for co-operation and launching the groups. However, in larger cities, potential of online exercise is also great as more participants can be reached.
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What lessons did you learn from implementing this initiative?
1) Older people can improve functioning by exercising at home; 2) Older people can learn to use new technology; 3) Older people with poor access to services benefit from the Programme