44 The QUEE NS Courier • health • december 5, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Exercise program helps senior participants ▶health BY ROBIN FRANK Experts say it’s never too late to reap the benefits of exercise, and a program offered in Flushing senior centers is improving quality of life for many older adults. The exercise program, offered by the Hospital for Special Surgery, has helped decrease pain and make activities of daily living easier for many participants, according to a hospital study. The research was presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting on November 5 in Boston. The Hospital for Special Surgery, which is located in Manhattan, also has a Physician Office in Fresh Meadows. The older Asian population in New York City grew by 64 percent from 2000 to 2010, and one in four seniors lived in poverty in 2010. “This population is at risk for arthritis and osteoporosis,” said Laura Robbins, DSW, senior vice president of Education and Academic Affairs at Special Surgery. “They are more than twice as likely to have no health insurance coverage compared to other major race and ethnic groups. Cultural and linguistic barriers limit access to healthcare services.” To address these issues, Hospital for Special Surgery developed the Asian Community Bone Health Initiative, which is comprised of culturally-relevant, bilingual education and exercise classes. The initiative plays an important role in enabling the hospital to meet the musculoskeletal health needs of Asian older adults living in New York City, according to Sandra Goldsmith, director of Public and Patient Education. Six eight-week sessions of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) and three eight-week yoga exercise classes were conducted by bilingual instructors at four senior centers in Flushing and in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The programs promote self-management of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions through exercise. The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program offered by hospital instructors consisted mainly of chair-based exercises. The yoga sessions featured beginner yoga classes. The goal was to help Asian seniors decrease muscle and joint pain, reduce stiffness and fatigue, improve balance, reduce falls and increase physical activity. The program was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation. A survey was distributed before and after the exercise classes to evaluate pain, function and other health indicators, and 119 participants responded. Many reported that their pain intensity dropped and interfered less with their quality of life. “The study results indicate that the hospital’s Bone Health Initiative has a positive impact on the musculoskeletal health of the Asian senior population,” said Huijuan Huang, program coordinator. “While further research is needed, we will continue to offer culturally-sensitive programs to this community to help seniors stay active, decrease pain and improve their overall health.” The next eight-week yoga session will start on December 5 at the Selfhelp Innovative Senior Center on Kissena Boulevard in Flushing. Iaso Physical Therapy: On The Road To Healing BY JOHANN HAMILTON IASO Rehabilitation is a physical therapist owned private practice providing in-home physical therapy services to their clients. Therapists provide treatment to you in the convenience of your own home, apartment, assisted living facility, etc. You will no longer need to worry about transportation to/ from a facility, looking for parking, etc. The treatment sessions provided are one-to-one, 45-60 minute sessions. IASO therapists are NYS licensed therapists with years of experience working with a variety of conditions and ages. IASO therapists recognize that each client is an individual, and they provide individualized treatment and exercise programs accordingly. Services provided by IASO Rehabilitation are reimbursed by Medicare Part B, and the secondary insurance covers the co-pay. If you are interested in receiving services through IASO Rehabilitation, please call ( 8 0 0 ) 8 0 3 - 3385 for further information. We will answer any questions you may have regarding the process of receiving services through IASO Rehabilitation. IASO therapists love what they do and create positive results! IASO’s goal: To improve your function and quality of life. Where Care and Comfort Begin F Excellence in long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. F Integrated support system providing physical and emotional needs. F Round-the-clock care by nursing professionals. F Rehabilitation program designed to restore health back into your life. “Our Residents are Our Passion” 260-19 Nassau Blvd. l Little Neck, NY 11362 718.423.6400
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