Optum Offers Free Online Wellness Program to Help Older Adults Stay Healthy and Active During COVID-19 Pandemic
May 12 2020 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
Optum’s Virtual Community Center video series
gives older adults exercise, nutrition, brain health and other
resources to stay mentally and physically healthy
Optum, a leading health services company, launched the Virtual
Community Center wellness program to give older adults across the
country free access to online exercise, nutrition and mental health
classes geared for their age group.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200512005246/en/
Optum Virtual Community Center
Infographic (Graphic: Business Wire)
Optum’s integrated health care network, OptumCare Arizona,
developed the program to help those who normally participate in its
health and wellness programs in local community centers. OptumCare
Arizona operates four community centers in Arizona to provide
health and wellness programs for older adults. The Virtual
Community Center wellness program takes the classes that were
offered at the OptumCare Arizona community centers and moves them
online for national access.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
staying mentally and physically active can help prevent, delay or
manage many costly chronic diseases1. The COVID-19 quarantine makes
it hard for everyone to stay mentally and physically active, but
older adults are at a higher health risk if they do not stay
active. Lack of activity in older adults may increase the risk of
diabetes, heart disease, depression and stroke — all which can also
harm the brain2.
Even as some restrictions are lifted, older adults — especially
those with chronic conditions — may still choose to avoid places
with groups of people, such as community centers.
“Online programs can help people stay physically and mentally
active during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have developed one
specifically to help older adults,” said Ben Brock, associate
director of community programs at OptumCare Arizona. “By moving the
programs we originally provided in our community centers online we
can help this often-underserved population stay healthy.”
The free online videos are available on the Optum YouTube
channel. The video series is guided by experts in fitness
and health care for older adults. The content includes primarily
seated tai chi, qi gong, strength and balance, yoga, and Pilates
classes. The videos also include brain and emotional health
exercises, art activities and nutrition tips. One video will be
posted a day for the next three months.
About Optum
Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health
services business dedicated to helping make the health system work
better for everyone. With more than 180,000 people worldwide, Optum
delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize
the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is
part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). For more information, visit
www.optum.com.
1
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/inactivity-among-adults-50plus/index.html
2
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200512005246/en/
Brad Lotterman 714-445-0453 brad.lotterman@optum.com
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