Impacts of Geri-Fit® on Health Outcomes in Older Adults

Background/Objectives: The Geri-Fit® program, recognized by the National Council on Aging, is known to improve strength in older adults, yet it lacks robust evidence on clinical outcomes. The current study was performed to assess the change in clinical outcomes in addition to patient-reported change in mobility and general well-being Methods: A total of 227 adults aged 60 and older were recruited from clinics and community sites across Galveston and Harris counties and participated in 45-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks, led by trained Geri-Fit® instructors. A mixed-methods approach includes pre- and post-collection of biometric measures of Hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, weight, and waist circumference. Participants also completed mid- and post-program surveys reporting changes in health behaviors, psychosocial outcomes, and physical changes, and provided qualitative feedback. Results: showed that 44% of participants lost weight, nearly half reduced their waist circumference, 43.5% improved their Hemoglobin A1c, and total cholesterol decreased significantly (from 167.77 to 155.04 mg/dL; p=0.02). Self-reported outcomes indicated that almost 100% of participants showed improvement or maintenance in mobility, strength, physical activity, and well-being. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Geri-Fit® is associated with favorable clinical outcomes and improved functional health, supporting its potential as a community-based intervention to enhance physical activity, improve self-management, or reduce the risk of chronic disease among older adults.