Gerofit

Gerofit is a supervised exercise program for older veterans that was developed at the VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, in 1986. Starting in 2018, the Eastern Colorado VA Healthcare System will be part of Gerofit and have a local site in Aurora, CO. As a part of Gerofit, older veterans are given a personal exercise program based on their physical profile and goals. Follow-up measures are taken at regular intervals and enrolled veterans are welcome to remain in the program as long as they wish. Gerofit can include treadmills, elliptical machines, bicycles and a variety of strengthening machines. Guidance in carrying out the exercise program is provided by trained exercise staff, including exercise physiologists.

Since the program began, participants in Gerofit have demonstrated improved health, physical function and well-being. They have shown improvements in blood pressure, diabetes management, symptom management, well-being, quality of life, physical function, overall fitness and longevity.