Encouraging Physical Activity Among Retirement Community Residents - The Role of Campus Commitment, Programming, Staffing, Promotion, Financing and Accreditation

Abstract

Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for older adults, seniors ages 75 and above are among the most sedentary of Americans. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) seem ideal settings for creating physical activity promoting environments. We report on results of a nationally representative sample survey of CCRCs that are members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Campuses with more physical activity opportunities on campus or in the outside community, more physical activity-related staff, better physical activity facilities and activities, more types of sources to finance the costs of physical activity, and more channels to promote physical activity tend to have more physically active residents. Campuses in which management places more importance on encouraging physical activity among residents also have more physically active residents.