adults who pursue exercise and schedule physical activity feel better well into old age
Health First Health Plans hosts gatherings every few weeks for its Medicare Advantage members. Walk It Out and others like it are meant to be both aerobically active and actively social. “This makes us more active, yes,” says one participant.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Studies show that adults who take time to pursue exercise and schedule physical activity feel better well into old age. Further studies show that doing so in groups has additional benefits.
In one such study, a fitness class was compared to a control group who pursued their fitness goals independently (alone). The class demonstrated decreased stress levels and increased physical, mental, and emotional values after 12 weeks compared to the group of independents.
It is in that spirit that Health First Health Plans Medicare Advantage members enjoy regular events, most of which are meant to be both aerobic and actively social – such as Walk It Out.
“We think this is one of the best [health insurance] plans around. We are proud to be members,” said Gladys Maldonado of Palm Bay as she walked with her husband Francisco around the Health First Pro-Health & Fitness track.
The Maldonados have been Health Plans members for a decade.
“We’re pretty active. We walk every other day. But we like to come to these to socialize and to meet all the people,” Francisco Maldonado says.
Walk It Out is a regular meetup for Medicare Advantage members of Health First Health Plans to meet, socialize, and get their steps in.
Margarita and John Kostopulos came to Walk It Out earlier this month despite the fact that John cannot walk easily due to injury.
“I came because we’ve met more people doing this than we ever would have imagined,” he says.
Sometimes the scheduled meeting place is out in the community – such as Field of Dreams in West Melbourne – but during the warmer summer months, it’s at Health First’s Pro-Health & Fitness in Viera to take advantage of the air-conditioned track. As members complete a lap around the 1-10th-mile track, trainer Lisa Acosta is there to greet them with a cheer, a fist pump, and a high five.
“This event is for our seniors who really benefit the most from the movement and also the socializing,” says Jill Estes, a Member Assistant at Pro-Health & Fitness who helps to coordinate the events. “It gives them so much joy to be around others who care and support them.”
Along with announcements and light coaching, there’s often drawings for fun prizes – such as short (10 minute) massages by licensed Health First massage therapists such as Heather Mocny and Leslie Ventura.
Moving from Connecticut to Florida 21 years ago “has prolonged our lives,” says Margarita Kostopulos. “And events like this raises our spirits, it really does!”
“This makes us more active, yes,” says her husband. “I’m kind of shy. This helps me extend myself.”
Event organizer Jodi Quillet said the response from members has been overwhelmingly positive. She may begin planning for twice monthly or even weekly get togethers in 2025.
To learn more about Health First Health Plans, visit HF.org/healthplans.
