Redesigning a Health Center to Promote Participation in Physical Exercise by Older Adults with Vision Loss

Older adults comprise two thirds of all persons with low vision (Orr, 1992). For older adults with low vision, engaging in regular exercise not only improves general health but may prevent further vision impairment (Cundiff & Nigg, 2005). Despite the benefits of regular exercise, the combination of age, physical limitations, and visual impairment often discourages older adults with low vision from using health and recreation facilities (Satariano, Haight & Tager, 2000). Barriers for persons with visual impairment extend beyond the effects of the built environment to include such factors as organizational policy, reading printed materials, using fitness equipment, and interacting with facility staff. Overcoming these barriers requires a multidimensional approach that extends beyond just modifying the built environment (Rimmer, Riley, Wang, & Rauworth, 2005).

The purpose of the project was to promote participation in recreational activities among older adults with vision impairment by ensuring that they could fully participate in all programming within a community-based recreational facility for people with disabilities. Project outcomes targeted safe and independent participation and satisfaction in exercise programs and increased health and wellness. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model (Green & Kreuter, 1999) guided the project. Interventions addressed modifying the physical environment to facilitate patron's use of vision, training staff to effectively interact with and instruct patrons with vision loss and modifying written materials to ensure readability. Project outcomes though not fully realized, support Rimmer et. al's theory that a multidimensional approach is necessary in order to overcome participation barriers for people with vision impairment.