Community Hospital - FROG (Fitness Reaching Older Gen's)

Overview

FROG (Fitness Reaching Older Gen’s) was launched in 2008 when Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SNPHD) received a grant in support of the program’s creation. SWNPHD then partnered with Community Hospital to offer FROG to members of their Sterling Connection (a free health-related organization provided by Bryan Health in Lincoln, Nebraska). With a goal of helping rural Nebraska’s aging population stay healthy, FROG is a free program designed to help adults ages 50 and older improve their mobility and strength to help prevent falls as well as improve their overall health. Sessions include a workout combining warm-ups, stretches, endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. The programs combine yoga, tai chi, resistance, low-impact aerobics and weight training. Equipment for this program includes chairs, resistance bands, and medicine balls.

Impact

Community Hospital’s FROG program averages 200 members across 10 schools. Each FROG member has a success story to tell about how the class has improved his/her life. Many tout increased flexibility, strength, and balance. A few other success stories include decreased pain and discomfort from fibromyalgia and arthritis as well as better control of type 2 diabetes. News of the many benefits of FROG has spread throughout the area, which has increased the number of schools from two to 10 in just two years. Community Hospital is so dedicated to this program and what it can do to improve its community members, it pays their FROG coordinator to travel to areas throughout Nebraska to help train new leaders and start new schools. Their coordinator trained more than 50 new leaders in 2011 and 2012!

Challenges/success factors

SNPHD continues to support the growth of the FROG program not only within their service area, but now across the nation. Community Hospital is one of many organizations to offer FROG. Basic tools for instructors and classes are provided by SWNPHD, while day-to-day operations are handled by Community Hospital. The FROG coordinator recruits class leaders and handles the spread of the program within Community Hospital’s region of care. She is also responsible for yearly assessments to measure member improvement and health, as well as incentive programs to encourage participation. All support for class equipment and member gifts is donated by Community Hospital as a part of its community benefits mission.

Future direction/sustainability

FROG has grown to nine cities since it was started with its partnership with Community Hospital. SNPHD hopes to see this program spread throughout Nebraska and someday the nation. Community Hospital hopes to bring this program to many more towns within its service area to expand its many benefits. As this program expands, Community Hospital has committed to maintaining the schools as necessary to ensure that quality classes are offered at all schools for all members. The program is also open to any patient under the age qualification with a recommendation from a physician or other medical provider.

Advice to others

FROG is a wonderful program that any organization should be excited and proud to offer. While start-up does take some time and monetary commitment, the results are immeasurable. Maintenance after initial start-up is straightforward and offers great opportunity for incentive and growth. FROG is a program that should be extremely successful in the future, as changes to health care will require more personal responsibility by the U.S. population, especially the aging sector.

Contact: Sarah Wolford
Community Outreach Coordinator
Telephone: 308-344-8550
E-mail: skwolford@chmccook.org