Supporting the health and wellbeing of older residents of Hafnarfjörður

Good health of Hafnarfjörður residents is brought into focus!

Residents of Hafnarfjörður, aged 65 and over, will continue to be offered the opportunity to take part in targeted health and fitness programmes with Janus Heilsuefling for the next two years. The town recently renewed its partnership with the company. Residents of the town are therefore offered the opportunity to take part in exercise with a focus on endurance and strength training, as well as education on nutrition and other health-related topics at a subsidised price. The benefits of the partnership are fourfold:

• to improve health-related prevention
• Improve motor skills
• improve performance, especially endurance and strength
• improve the health and quality of life of participants

The aim is to promote the better welfare and health of the people of Hafnarfjörður. The intention is for older people to be able, for as long as possible, to live a normal home life and enjoy life for as long as they can.

Guided training

The project is planned for two years and is structured into four six-month phases. Health assessments are carried out before the training begins and then every six months or at the end of each six-month phase. After this period, organised follow-up training is provided for the participants.

Training is supervised by university-educated health coaches three times a week for the first two stages, strength training twice a week, and endurance training once a week. The aim is to increase participants' sustainability and health literacy. To support participants' increased independence, they have access to a health app and follow training plans for endurance and strength training, respectively.

To further support health promotion and increase the emphasis on health literacy and sustainability, four educational sessions on health-related topics are organised at each level, totalling 16 sessions over two years. A special emphasis is placed on nutrition, as well as other health-related factors such as medication use and training, balance, sleep, health and mindfulness.

Janus Guðlaugsson, sports and health scientist, and Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, mayor, sign an agreement for continued collaboration for the benefit of the health of the residents of Hafnarfjörður.

Improved health and quality of life

Janus Guðlaugsson, a sports and health scientist, is behind this project. He completed his doctoral thesis. Comprehensive Health Promotion for 65+ in Hafnarfjörður – Health Promotion for Older Age Groups and has in recent years specialised in health promotion for older people.

The project is based on the findings of the Janus study, which show that through targeted participation in preventative health promotion for older age groups, it is possible to improve mobility and increase their functional capacity, specifically endurance, strength and mobility, improve quality of life and prevent functional decline. The aim is also to make people self-sufficient in their own health promotion, so that they can subsequently choose a fitness centre to continue their health promotion on their own terms.

Cost and service

So what does the service cost, then? Janus Health Promotion charges monthly fees to participants. Included in the participant fees are participation in the programme, a gym membership at a local health club, and other services and administration.

The monthly fees for participants upon signing this agreement are 13,990 kr. for a 12-month commitment and 14,990 kr. for a 6-month commitment.

What else is included?

• Introduction to the project at the outset
• Regular measurements
• Training up to three times a week for participants
• Regular educational lectures
• Access to a health app
• Regular reassessment

Yes, it's never too late to start moving! Let's enjoy life together.

Further information from Janus Health Promotion here.