Rural B.C. Residents Receive Exercise Prescriptions for Health

Residents of a rural community in British Columbia are receiving unique prescriptions aimed at improving their health through physical activity. Instead of medication, individuals like Ian Walters are given passes to the Similkameen Recreation Centre in Keremeos, allowing them access to gym facilities and various programs. This initiative is part of a pilot program by the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen, designed to help residents manage health issues while fostering social interaction.

Walters, who has a tumor affecting his speech and mobility, visits the recreation centre three times a week. He participates in group classes and swims during the summer. Since he started the program, Walters has noticed significant improvements in his health. “Before I started the program, you see how slow I am on the walker, but before I was worse. Now everyone says, ‘Oh Ian, you’re getting so much better walking,’” he explained. The exercise prescription has not only benefited his physical health but has also provided him with crucial support following the loss of his wife last year. “I have to be forced to get out of the house and do something,” he added.

Program’s Impact on Community Health

According to Andy Foster, the recreation manager with the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen, around 20 residents have participated in this program. Foster emphasized the program’s goal: “The program … is supplying prescriptions to health-care practitioners so they can give them out to customers, allowing them to recreate and heal quicker and faster.” The initiative is cost-effective for the regional district, requiring minimal additional staff time and only moderate wear on equipment.

Area G director Tim Roberts highlighted the program’s benefits, particularly for individuals facing isolation or mobility challenges. “I think it is fabulous. One of the greatest things that we see is the help it provides to people who have frequent issues around isolation, around limited mobility,” Roberts stated, noting that it offers access to resources and fitness that they might not otherwise obtain.

The program comes at a time when the region is facing health-care challenges. Recently, Interior Health announced a reduction in services at the South Similkameen Health Centre, scaling back from six days a week to three. Foster remarked that paramedical nurses have been crucial in enrolling participants given these challenges.

Research Supports Prescriptive Recreation

Academic support for the initiative comes from Victoria Whiteford, a researcher at the University of British Columbia. Whiteford has previously initiated a similar program focused on women experiencing depression. She explained that overcoming barriers to exercise is essential for the success of any prescriptive recreation program. “For someone with depression, for example, they may have barriers around low mood and fatigue, making it more difficult for them to attend exercise sessions,” she noted.

As for Walters, he remains hopeful that the program will continue to provide support for others seeking better health. “I am grateful for the support I have received so far and hope the program continues so that other people can fill their prescription for better health,” he remarked. This initiative not only represents a novel approach to health care in rural communities but also highlights the importance of proactive measures in enhancing overall well-being.