The Importance of Accessible and Inclusive Senior Fitness Programs: Fitness Options for Differently Abled Residents
June 26, 2023
Senior living communities are becoming more and more accessible and inclusive when it comes to providing fitness programs and options for differently abled residents. Such programs are essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical limitation, can feel welcome and engaged in their community.
Differently abled is a term used to describe people who have a physical disability or impairment that limits their ability to participate in typical fitness and recreational activities. This could include:
- Mobility issues
- Hearing impairments
- Vision impairments
- And more
In the past, differently abled residents in senior living communities may have been left out of fitness programs or had limited options for activities that they could participate in. However, with the rise of accessible and inclusive fitness programs, these residents are now able to partake in activities that had previously been unavailable to them.
One way that senior living communities are making their fitness programs more accessible and inclusive is by offering adapted activities. These activities are designed to accommodate certain physical disabilities and allow differently abled residents to participate in the same activities as everyone else. For example, an adapted version of a popular board game might include tactile features, so that a visually impaired resident can still play. Likewise, a swimming class might be modified to include a special buoyancy device, so that a mobility-impaired resident can still attend.
Another way that senior living communities are promoting accessibility in their fitness programs is by utilizing assistive technologies. These technologies allow residents with a wide range of physical disabilities to participate in activities and engage in exercise safely. For instance, a senior living community might offer a virtual exercise program, where differently abled residents can access tailored fitness programs from the comfort of their own homes.
At the end of the day, senior living communities should be providing accessible and inclusive fitness programs and activities to all their residents, no matter their physical limitations. These programs are essential to ensuring that everyone can feel welcomed and engaged, regardless of their abilities. By providing adapted activities and utilizing assistive technologies, senior living communities can ensure that their differently abled residents are able to participate in fitness and recreational activities just like everyone else.