On the ChangingAging website, I found a blog written by Jeanette Leardi focusing on ageism and new fitness facilities. She described an open house she attended on a new 130,000 square feet fitness facility offering a variety of resources to its members. Unlike her current fitness club, she believed that the new facility might offer more to people in her age group (over 60). However, the reality was that the club's target audience was the younger population. At the facility they did not offer an indoor track or an area with exercise equipment free from distraction (TVs and loud music). The locker rooms were elegant but the lockers had lock combinations with small number font, which was hard for her to read. In addition, she explained that half of the facility was devoted to kids. They had their own indoor and outdoor playgrounds, eating areas, and craft rooms (they even offered a baby-sitting service).
Leardi felt that a fitness facility offering an indoor track to walk, jog, and run on is enjoyable for older adults and people of all ages. She explained that these tracks addresses older adult's needs and their desire for quality of experience. In fact, the track was a place for social interaction and individual reflection and mindful meditation. When she addressed these concerns with the activities director at the facility, the director stated that they did not even think about older adults (providing a track) when designing the facility.
After reading this blog post, I felt that OT can have a huge role in collaborating with fitness facility designers. To include people of all ages in their development, OTs can advocate for older adults and make recommendations for their inclusion. As Leardi pointed out, simply including a track free of distraction would be one great recommendation
started by beihlt on 14 Nov 15
Leardi felt that a fitness facility offering an indoor track to walk, jog, and run on is enjoyable for older adults and people of all ages. She explained that these tracks addresses older adult's needs and their desire for quality of experience. In fact, the track was a place for social interaction and individual reflection and mindful meditation. When she addressed these concerns with the activities director at the facility, the director stated that they did not even think about older adults (providing a track) when designing the facility.
After reading this blog post, I felt that OT can have a huge role in collaborating with fitness facility designers. To include people of all ages in their development, OTs can advocate for older adults and make recommendations for their inclusion. As Leardi pointed out, simply including a track free of distraction would be one great recommendation