Screening for and prescribing exercise for older adults

Physical activity helps to maintain function, health, and overall quality of life for older adults. It is challenging, however, for health care providers and others who work with older adults to know what type of activity to encourage older adults to engage in, and how to motivate them to initiate and adhere to physical activity and exercise over time. The purpose of this piece is to provide an overview of physical activity for older adults and provide the resources needed to evaluate older adults and help them establish safe and appropriate physical activity programs, as well as providing motivational interventions that will eliminate the barriers to exercise and optimize the benefits.