CHALLENGE
Exercise and other physical activities play a vital role for our state of health, especially for the elderly.

The elderly run the greatest risk of getting diseases that can be prevented through exercise. How can the DaneAge Association get its local chapters to start new and additional exercise activities that meet the recommendations of the National Board of Health?

FINDINGS
Many elderly people have never exercised regularly and feel completely alienated by exercise programmes.

Many seniors do not believe exercise programmes exist for weak elderly people. Creating interest in xercise offers for elderly people requires a broad range of activities at various levels and for various target groups.

Many elderly people believe they exercise regularly without actually doing so.

SOLUTION
The design consultancy developed a catalogue of exercise ideas for the local chapters, a recruitment folder aimed at voluntary exercise instructors and an exercise wheel that both provides information and can be used as a proper training tool by elderly people not used to exercise.
The consultancy developed new exercise activities that meet the needs of both physically strong elderly people and weaker elderly unaccustomed to exercise. New roles were identified, for example by designating someone to be responsible for co-ordinating and heading exercise initiatives. The term “exercise heroes” was introduced to communicate that the DaneAge Association values the efforts of its volunteers and that voluntary exercise instructors make a great difference to other people. A workshop method to involve the local chapters in new exercise initiatives was also developed.

Design Hatch & Bloom
Partner DaneAge Association