Staying Fit after 50~ Tips for Guys and Gals

Jan Meiers, PT, DPT, GCS
Clinical Associate Professor
Assistant Director of Clinical Education
Drexel University Physical Therapy Program

Background:

Dr. Jan Meiers, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA has been a physical therapist since 1990. She is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) and by the American Board of Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Geriatricsas a Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA). Clinical experience has been across all settings, primarily home health and acute care, with an emphasis on geriatrics. Dr. Meiers is a full time Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel University. She currently maintains a clinical practice in acute care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and is interested in wellness in the geriatric population. Current teaching areas includepathophysioIogy, clinical decision making, health promotion and wellness, and geriatric physical therapy. Dr. Meier’s research area is falls in older adults.

Overview:

It can be challenging to exercise as we age. There may be aches and pains, lack of time and/ or lack of knowledge. Research shows exercise has benefits for everyone, regardless of age or health status.

3 Key Points:

1. Set Goals and customize your plan to what you like to do so you will enjoy your new routine. As you adopt your program, you will be feeling good and acting as a role model for others.
2. Seek out assistance. Get a wellness health appraisal and evaluation of those areas from which you would benefit the most so it is customized to you. Assessments typically review your strength, balance and develops a plan that combines all types of exercise so you get maximum benefits.
3. Expect success and develop measures for progress. Expect increased quality of life, decrease of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and arthritis and an increase in overall life expectancy.

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