Todd Brown/UWSMPH Media Solution
A new Madison pilot program will focus on keeping African American seniors active.
Working as an emergency nurse, Kim Gretebeck often saw older patients admitted for problems that would have been entirely preventable, had the patient stayed more physically active. That experience, along with watching her father lose the ability to walk after triple bypass surgery, spurred her to develop the PALS (Physical Activity for Life for Seniors) program.
Now an assistant professor in the UW-Madison School of Nursing, Gretebeck has made senior activity her mission for the past 15 years. Her overall goal with PALS is not just getting seniors active, but — perhaps more importantly — keeping them active. That latter caveat is “actually the challenge,” she says.
Launched in March 2015, the PALS program has been offered in Langlade, Marathon, Lincoln, Eau Claire, Waukesha, Milwaukee and Wood counties.
Now a new PALS pilot program designed to reach African Americans over 60 is being introduced in Madison and Milwaukee. Early feedback suggested the program would benefit from including specific cultural components; for instance, older African Americans tend to face specific barriers to exercise, including the need to sometimes take care of their grandchildren, and these need to be addressed, says Gretebeck.
A grant from the University of Wisconsin made the new pilot program possible. Another new pilot program targeting older rural adults is being funded by Cargill, says Gretebeck.
There are two main components to PALS: exercise and education. The exercise portion is set up as a circuit with one minute of exercise at each station. Functional exercises enable participants to stay independent and active at home. Something as simple as lifting a weighted ball above the head can translate into greater ease in grabbing an item off a high shelf at home. Equipment is light — hand weights, medicine balls, steps — and designed to be portable and storage-friendly. Participants meet for hour-long sessions three days a week for 10 weeks. The Madison program meets at the UW South Madison Partnership office in the Villager Mall on South Park Street.
The educational arm meets for 30 minutes once a week. Participants learn techniques to stay active, including how to overcome barriers like bad weather, and how to find an exercise buddy, be it a friend, spouse or grandchild.
After the 10 weeks, participants are mostly on their own, but the exercise leader will call individuals about every two weeks to make sure they’re still meeting their goals. The group also comes together socially two more times over the next six-month period to talk about challenges and their exercise progress.
Gretebeck has been pleased with how many people re-create the circuits at home and continue to exercise. She’s also gratified to hear success stories. One woman is no longer afraid of falling while getting in and out of her car. Another no longer has to stay in her basement while doing laundry — previously she was too tired to tackle the stairs more than once.
Gretebeck says the group is looking at wider dissemination throughout the state in senior centers and churches within the next year.
Locally, PALS is coordinated through the North/Eastside Senior Coalition. A session began on May 19; the next session will be offered in September. African American adults over 60 interested in learning more about the free program, or signing up, can call Pam Bracey at 608-243-5252.