The Personalized Approach for Healthy Aging Program: Preventing Frailty Through Individualized Physical Activity Coaching

The Canadian population is shifting, with a growing proportion of people over the age of 65. As people age, they are more likely to develop health problems. However, not everyone ages in the same way. Some people will be healthier in their later years, while others will develop many health issues. One way to determine a person's overall health is to measure their frailty level. We know that exposure to lifelong physical inactivity causes people to rapidly accumulate health problems, increasing their frailty level. Research has shown that increasing physical activity may lead to the greatest benefit for the prevention and management of frailty; however, most older Canadians are inactive. This study will respond to the frailty challenge by developing and evaluating a new program called the Personalized Approach for Healthy Aging (PAHA). The PAHA program will focus on community-dwelling people over the age of 65 who are inactive and whose frailty index levels are worse than most people of the same age. After referral by a primary care healthcare professional, participants will consult with an exercise specialist for education about their frailty level and how they can mitigate their frailty trajectory through physical activity. Personal goals and a tailored prescription for physical activity will be discussed, including referral to an exercise program (if appropriate). Regular follow up will be scheduled to discuss progress and address barriers to participation. Physical activity and frailty levels of the participants will be reassessed, and a progress report will be provided to participants and their healthcare professional to track progress towards achieving their goals. This exciting initiative will empower people to improve their overall health as they age through tailored physical activity and coaching; improving quality of life and reducing the burden on the health system.