Dr. Hilla Sarig Bahat, Ms. Hadas Isman, Ms. Lilach Katan Goldberg, Ms. Reut Marmur
In the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, thousands of elderly residents were evacuated from their homes in both southern and northern regions. This sudden displacement posed significant challenges to their physical and mental well-being. In response, our team at the University of Haifa developed an innovative program using Nordic walking - a form of exercise that involves walking with specially designed poles.
Based at the Dan Hotel in Haifa, where many evacuees found temporary shelter, we introduced a group walking program for seniors aged 65 and above. Nordic walking was chosen because it's safe, accessible, and particularly beneficial for older adults. The program included twice-weekly guided sessions over two months, led by professional physiotherapists.
The results were remarkable: all 24 participants who started the program stayed until its completion, with most attending at least 75% of the sessions. The program helped participants maintain an active lifestyle, achieving an average of 5,000 daily steps - a crucial threshold for preventing falls. More importantly, participants showed significant improvements in their physical abilities and reduced their risk of falling.
What made this program particularly special was its community aspect. The participants, many from kibbutz communities, showed remarkable resilience and supported each other throughout the program. Most participants continued Nordic walking on their own after the program ended, suggesting that we helped create a sustainable healthy habit.
This initiative demonstrates how targeted physical activity programs can support displaced older adults during times of crisis, helping them maintain both their physical health and social connections. While further research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits, our findings suggest that such programs could be valuable tools for supporting elderly populations during similar emergency situations.
The program not only helped maintain the participants' physical health but also provided a sense of routine and community during a challenging time, highlighting the importance of structured physical activity programs in crisis situations.
