Lifting for Longevity

American Fitness, Sept, 2000 by Peter Chandler

Residents at the Huguley Nursing Center aren't just sitting around -- they're working out!

Minnie Pearl Wilhite, 91, gently lifts herself out of her wheelchair and sits on the seat of the Nautilus Compound Rowing machine. She then reaches out and grabs each end of the handle bar. In a rowing-like motion, she pulls the six-pound resistance bar toward her chest. She then slowly returns it to its starting position. With the intense look of an Olympic contestant competing for the gold medal, Minnie performs three sets of 12 repetitions. After resting several minutes, she proceeds to the next Nautilus exercise machine and repeats the same routine. She works out three days a week, utilizing six different types of Nautilus equipment.

Hazel Roberts, 87, places the lower part of her legs behind the padded bar of the leg extension machine and lifts the bar as high as the strength of her thighs can take it. "I think I can do a little more," she says. The machine is set with 11.3-pound weights. While pushing the bars at her side down toward the floor on the seated dip machine, 90-year-old Juanita Williams' eyes light up when asked if she likes working out. "I just love it," she says. "It's wonderful."

Minnie, Hazel and Juanita are just three of the 10 female residents who currently work out in the Nautilus room at the nursing home where they live. The average age of the group is 84. Since its inception, as many as 20 residents per day have participated in this program utilizing weight resistance exercise machines. Surprisingly, the ratio of female to male participants is 9 to 1, and the oldest individual to have used the equipment was 104.

The room, which contains 12 different types of Nautilus machines specifically made for the geriatric population, is a significant part of the rehabilitation program at Huguley Nursing Center. The center is managed and operated by the Adventist Care Centers, a division of Adventist Health System. Rollie Bushor, assistant director of the center, proudly says, "What separates us from similar nursing home establishments is the aggressiveness of our rehabilitation program."

The program, which began in mid-1996, is operated under contract by Vencare Ancillary Services. "The goal is improvement in the quality of life through the overall building of endurance," says Tony Chairez, Rehabilitation Technician. Sound familiar? It should. It's the same goal of many who exercise at home, outdoors or in health clubs across the country--and it's a goal which should be nurtured everywhere, including nursing homes. Chairez adds, "It improves circulation, which enables [older individuals] to function better in their environment." The ability to lift one's arms, get out of bed, walk on their own or write letters without assistance are just a few of the benefits gained by those in the program. They are abilities which most of us take for granted, but treasured by those who know what it's like to be without them.

The exercises are carefully geared to each participant's ability and physical condition. "They must first go through the Physical Therapy Department program to gain mobility and enough strength to go on to the Nautilus equipment," Chairez explains. "Once they get started, most of them do very well and have very few problems doing their particular workout."

Each program participant is carefully monitored during their entire workout by assigned Restorative Certified Nursing Assistants (RCNAs). "Each of the participants must have their blood pressure and pulse rate taken before, during and after their exercise routine," says Shannon Boatwright, RCNA. Protocol calls for cessation of the routine when abnormal changes in vital signs are noted. Prior to starting, other members of the center's RCNA staff set the proper weights and adjustments for each person in their care. Then, they carefully watch them from start to finish adding love, patience and encouragement along the way. Add to this scenario the courage of the users and you have a winning combination that results in benefits which outweigh the negative results of physical inactivity.

Carol Valentine, R.N., Director of Nursing, says, "We want the residents to maintain as much independence as possible. We do this by developing upper extremity strength, which gives them the ability to dress and feed themselves--simple tasks which promote independence and self-esteem. The exercises help keep the muscles from atrophying, allowing the exercisers to maneuver their wheelchairs around the facility without assistance."

In their environment, the old aphorism "use it or lose it" could not have truer meaning. "After a brief bout with pneumonia, I was so weak that I couldn't even get the beanbag in the bucket," says Minnie. "Now I can throw a ball." Hazel, a former local newspaper writer, could not even hold a pen or use her walker before she started working out. "Now, I can write and do much more," she says. She also went from using a wheelchair to a walker, then to occasionally using a cane.