title: Pilot Study for Implementing an Osteoporosis Education and Exercise Program in an Assisted Living Facility and Senior Community.
abstract: Project Healthy Bones (PHB) is a 24-week, peer-led exercise and education program for older adults at risk of osteoporosis.
  
  
  
  Residents from an assisted living and senior community program were enrolled after medical clearance. Participant demographics, geriatric fitness assessments, exercise logs, quizzes, and surveys were collected at baseline and 24 weeks. Data were analyzed using paired t tests and ANOVA of change scores for the pooled data within the R statistical environment.
  
  
  
  Forty of the 53 enrolled participants completed the program. Participants improved their strength, balance, posture, and flexibility, resulting in a reduced risk of falls and fractures. In addition, their knowledge of bone health, nutrition, and fall prevention increased.
  
  
  
  Offering low-cost disease-specific programs such as PHB helps minimize the complications of osteoporosis and improve the overall health of participants. Implementing disease-specific public health programs in assisted living centers can increase access to programs.
authors.affiliation: 1 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Aparna P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Nanduri
authors.affiliation: 2 New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, Trenton, USA.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fullman
authors.affiliation: 3 Francis E. Parker Memorial Home, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morell
authors.affiliation: 1 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buyske
authors.affiliation: 1 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D000091402:Prohibitins; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular
keywords: assisted living facility; balance; community based; evaluation; evidence-based interventions; exercise; falls; geriatric; health promotion; osteoporosis; public health