Promoting Awareness of Exercise for Health among the Elderly

Abstract

        Elderly individuals often face physical and mental health challenges due to age-related functional decline, chronic diseases, and a reduction in previous roles or capabilities. Promoting exercise awareness among the elderly through non-formal education enhances the quality of life by empowering them to manage their health. Such activities should be designed based on the principles of non-formal education, including educational equity, self-development and self-reliance, integration with daily life, alignment with the issues and needs of the target group, and an emphasis on collaborative learning and community participation. This approach allows elderly individuals to recognize the importance and necessity of exercise; while providing opportunities for them to plan, solve problems, and actively participate in managing their health, leading to sustainable behavioral changes in health practices. The success of this initiative depends on several supporting factors, including the organizers, the elderly target group, activity design, operational networks, and social capital. Potential limitations that organizers should consider include negative attitudes from the elderly participants, lack of variety in activities tailored to their physical capabilities, insufficient continuity in activity implementation, and a lack of collaboration from families and communities.