A 16-week, health and fitness program for older adults to improve physically and mentally

With its four key concepts of Involve, Inform, Invigorate, and Inspire, the program addresses not just physical exercise but the building blocks for improved physical and brain health.

Socialization, moderate exercise and ongoing skill acquisition have all been shown as important factors in building and maintaining brain health. The exercise program was specially designed to build strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. The educational component of the program includes wellness information for both participants and family caregivers.

Refresh! is Evidence Informed

• Exercises adapted from an evidence based exercise model
• Program elements supported by US Department of Health and Human Services as well as adult education theory
• Piloted with groups across the US with positive results
• Turn-key program ready for dissemination and implementation by community-based organizations
• Designed to be led by direct service staff
• Helpful information for participants and their family caregivers alike

We worked with Easter Seals to create Refresh! Life Re-Energized, a health and fitness program for older adults who have a loss of functional ability. The program's goal is to improve health outcomes, allowing older adults to remain in their own homes.

Refresh is designed to be led by direct service staff who need not be licensed healthcare providers, making it accessible in a wide variety of programs and settings. This program is an ideal addition to
the weekly programming in adult day programs, senior centers, and othersettings serving older adults.

Program includes: The Refresh Life-Re-Energized Manual, Invigorate exercise routine, 10 sets of 16 Action Cards, a 18x24 poster, Training presentation, and a PDF full of printable handouts, progress and attendance trackers and progress cards.

Refresh! Life Re-Energized Manual, Spiralbound, 176 pages, 2015. Invigorate! The Refresh Exercise Routine, Spiralbound, 86 pages, 2015.

About the Authors:
Ellen Harrington-Kane is an assistant vice president for Easter Seals, Inc., and a surveyor for CARF, an international accrediting organization for rehabilitation programs and organizations. Her passion is to reduce health disparities for high-risk populations.

Lynn Steffes is president/consultant of Steffes & Associates, a rehabilitation consulting group. She provides consulting services to nonprofit and for profit rehabilitation providers in over 40 states. Her expertise includes life style medicine, specifically exercise prescription as it applies to aging and brain health.