Addressing Senior Physical, Mental Health With Group Exercise

Even in the best of times, many seniors struggle with social isolation. A combination of reduced mobility, retirement from work, and far-flung families can leave older adults with a lot of time on their hands — and fewer people to spend it with.

Physical activity — especially in a group setting — can help combat the physical and mental decline that comes with loneliness and seclusion. In addition to improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health, working out can also support better cognition as people age. In fact, one study found that seniors who were more stationary saw a 3.5 times greater decline in cognition than those who walked more than three miles per day.

Yet the pandemic has upended exercise routines for many seniors. Some may never return to a traditional gym, while others have shifted their habits and expectations in surprising ways. The disruption to the senior fitness market is one that could last for years.

For Medicare payers focused on serving the senior population, these links drive home the need to provide effective physical fitness programs. But offering access to just any gym isn’t going to be enough to keep today’s seniors on the path to wellness. Instead, payers must provide convenient and targeted fitness benefits if they want older adults to stay engaged for the long term.       

Senior fitness is a win-win

Physical fitness increases quality of life for seniors by helping them maintain mobility and prevent or manage chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

And this type of proactive care comes with significant cost savings. For example, one study found that a lack of exercise costs the global economy $67.5 billion in healthcare and productivity losses — and that an hour of exercise a day could significantly mitigate that risk.

For Medicare patients, in particular, a 2020 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that a 10 percentage-point increase in physical activity was associated with 1-percent reduced costs in Medicare Parts A and B after three years.

Active seniors also tend to be happier and more satisfied than those who rarely exercise — and this optimistic outlook can lead to better health outcomes. Seniors battling both chronic conditions and depression have yearly healthcare costs that are almost twice as high as seniors who have chronic conditions but don’t suffer from depression.

Effective fitness programs give Medicare payers the chance to keep seniors healthy and happy without medical intervention. But, especially as COVID continues to cause public health concerns, seniors are particular about where they feel comfortable exercising.

In this environment, health plans need to adapt to different sets of needs within the senior population — and deliver in-person and virtual programs targeted to four key groups:  

• Social Distancers: These individuals radically changed their approach to fitness during COVID. They now opt only for virtual fitness offerings and outdoor activities — and will likely never return to an in-person gym.
• Gym Goers: As committed gym rats, these seniors love the in-person routine and returned to gyms as soon as they were open.
• Cautious Observers: This group has largely embraced virtual and outdoor activities as they watch COVID cases rise and fall. These people will return to gyms when they feel it is safe. 
• Team Hybrid: These individuals are driving the biggest shift in the industry. As hybrid users, they embrace virtual fitness benefits in combination with safe, in-person offerings.

These wide-ranging preferences require Medicare payers to take a more tailored approach to their fitness programs. In addition to a vast network of large gyms, boutique fitness studios, and outdoor classes, payers need to incorporate robust virtual offerings that will engage seniors at all different fitness levels.

What seniors want

When it comes to visiting a gym regularly, every mile from home or minute in the car matters. And that’s especially true for seniors with limited transportation options or those with mobility issues who struggle to travel long distances. Medicare programs that include a large gym network can lessen those hurdles by offering people hyperlocal fitness options. 

Payers also need to acknowledge that not all gyms are created equal. While some may offer a larger weightlifting space or more workout machines, others may have a larger yoga studio or broader outdoor fitness offerings. Making sure seniors have access to the type of facility they prefer makes it more likely they’ll try out a new gym — and that they’ll enjoy it enough to return regularly.  

For seniors who aren’t comfortable returning to a gym or who just like having the option to work out at home, virtual fitness offerings are a must-have. While seniors have traditionally been hesitant to adopt new technologies, COVID-19 encouraged many to take the leap. A 2020 survey found that six in 10 seniors embraced technology more fully during the pandemic — and one in three now monitor their health using a wearable fitness device.

Overall, fitness programs must go beyond the basics to meet seniors’ evolving needs. From swimming pool aerobics to virtual vinyasa, the right fitness offerings can help older adults create new social connections and adopt a healthy daily routine. With the right partner, Medicare payers can empower their members to live an active lifestyle — regardless of what the next phase of the pandemic might bring.

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About Rally Health, Inc.

Rally Health, Inc., part of the Optum business of UnitedHealth Group, builds consumer-centric digital solutions and experiences that make staying healthy and getting health care more accessible and less costly for everyone. Rally’s solutions enable health plans, employers, and care providers to engage individuals in their health with personalized digital experiences such as One PassTM for Medicare, which supports senior’s physical, mental and social well-being. For more, visit www.RallyHealth.com.