Exercise is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle and an important component of fall prevention. ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers believe this whole-heartedly, which is why they have created the Physician Referred Exercise Program, more commonly known as P.R.E.P.
Once referred by a doctor, P.R.E.P participants meet with ACAC medical fitness professionals twice per week for 60 days, in small group sessions. The program costs only $60.
In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, going to the gym can provide social and nutritional benefits. I personally watched a client blossom within the P.R.E.P program, since it gave her a reason to get out of the house, a group of friends to look forward to seeing, and a lunch at the ACAC café that she loved.
In addition to the group sessions, the P.R.E.P. includes access to all of the other facilities of the ACAC:
- eight loss programs
- arthritis classes
- indoor & outdoor aquatic classes
- indoor walking/jogging track
- racquetball & squash courts
- tennis & basketball courts
- supervised strength training
pilates and yoga- 300+ weekly group exercise classes
- cardio equipment: treadmills, bikes, elliptical and more.
- on-site Registered Nurse
- heated therapy pool
- steam rooms
- sauna
- whirlpool
- full service day spa
- childcare available
- free WiFi
Many of the people who have participated in P.R.E.P. have gone on to become regular members at their local ACAC facility. To become a P.R.E.P. member, download the referral form from the ACAC website and talk to your doctor about participating. To contact ACAC about general membership, visit their website at www.acac.com.
In the video below, Danielle Dorsett, a personal trainer specializing in helping senior citizens, speaks about how improving balance can create a healthier lifestyle.
However, P.R.E.P.’s best success story would have to be Mary Nay, an 80 year old with cerebral palsy who was able to walk a mile around their indoor track after the 60 days working with the P.R.E.P. team. Watch the video below… you might need a tissue.
For more articles like this, see: Resources for Central Virginia, Aging in Place.
Know someone who worries about their elderly parent in Charlottesville, Staunton, or Harrisonburg Virginia? Care is There Geriatric Care Management can help! Have them contact us for a free consultation: 434.326.5323 or info@careisthere.com.
For more information about our services, and to read testimonials from our clients, visit our website. Also, view this short video about our care management services.
Elizabeth Swider, Geriatric Care Manager, Certified Senior Advisor
President, Care is There Geriatric Care Management
Support for independent living and long distance caregiving; assisted living enhancement
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