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Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

Now Available: On Demand EF Blended Classes for All Abilities Rollout Webinar

We’re excited to announce the national rollout of Phase III of our EnhanceFitness Inclusive Health Grant with Special Olympics. This on-demand webinar highlights blended EnhanceFitness classes—what they look like, why they matter, and how you can bring this inclusive model to your community. You’ll hear lessons learned, explore new tools, and gain insight from the YMCA of the Chesapeake in Easton, Maryland.

EnhanceFitness has long provided older adults with a proven path to better strength, balance, and overall health. However, we recognized the need to make the program more accessible for older adults with intellectual disabilities. Through the Special Olympics Inclusive Health grant, we addressed this gap by co-creating an experience designed to be welcoming and supportive for all participants. Tune in to learn what we’ve discovered and explore your new resources including a Sustainability Business Case template.

Photo: Kushang Patel, PhD Research Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington

Expanding rural access to chronic pain care through nurse care management: A hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation trial protocol: Learn about the study protocol for a hybrid effectiveness‑implementation trial testing whether nurse‑led care management can expand access to chronic pain treatment that includes EnhanceFitness participation in rural primary care settings. It aims to evaluate both patient outcomes (e.g., pain and function) and how well the intervention can be implemented in real‑world clinical practice.

Keiser B, Cortez K, Hoffman E, Wang J, Reeves K, Humbert A, Bailey RW, Shaw Welch S, Jawort S, Baldwin LM, Holtzer C, Tapp H, Ludden T, Belza B, Patel KV, Tong ST. Expanding rural access to chronic pain care through nurse care management: A hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation trial protocol. PLoS One. 2026 May 27;21(5):e0349526. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0349526. PMID: 42201860. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42201860/

Photo: Wenting Peng, PhD Candidate, University of Washington

Implementation of Enhance®Fitness: A scoping review using the RE-AIM framework: This new scoping review synthesized 33 studies on the Enhance®Fitness program using the RE-AIM framework, finding it widely implemented and effective in improving older adults’ physical and mental health while reducing healthcare use. It identified key facilitators (e.g., trained instructors, organizational support) and barriers (e.g., attendance, resources, technology), and concluded that greater focus on equity and long‑term sustainability is needed to enhance future impact.

Wenting Peng, Sarah McKiddy, Michiyo Tomioka, Dina L Maruca, Nancy M Gell, Matthew Lee Smith, Caitlin Maloy, Basia Belza, Implementation of Enhance®Fitness: A scoping review using the RE-AIM framework, The Gerontologist, 2026;, gnag102, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag102

The EASE-AF Study of Physical Activity for People with Afib (Atrial Fibrillation)

A researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York is recruiting patients nationwide with symptomatic paroxysmal afib (afib that comes and goes, lasting less than seven days) to take part in a study funded by the American Heart Association.

Research continues to find that exercise can help make afib patients feel better and even reduce the amount of afib. This patient-oriented study will be conducted remotely.

The study results are anticipated to help researchers and clinicians better design treatment strategies to help afib patients optimize their physical activity and care. The ideal candidates are those with symptomatic paroxysmal afib who are interested in increasing their physical activity level to improve their symptoms and afib burden. Competitive athletes who are already exercising at a high level are not as good a fit for this particular study.

Please share this link with interested EF participants, where they can complete a survey to help the investigators determine their eligibility to participate: https://redcap.link/EASE-AF

Download a flyer to post at your site.

EnhanceWellness: Coaching Support for Chronic Conditions

By Julia Hampton, EW Coach with Shasta Community Health Center, Redding, CA

Managing a chronic condition often means adjusting to challenges as they arise. For many EnhanceWellness participants, having a dedicated wellness coach provides steady support, encouragement, and a trusted space to stay focused on their goals.

One participant set a goal to increase her physical activity to strengthen her heart and lungs and help manage her weight. She began attending aqua aerobics at the YMCA and gradually built up to three classes a week. She also started walking twice a week, increasing from 10 minutes to 30 minutes as her stamina improved.

When an injury at her part-time job interrupted her progress, she continued meeting with her coach every other week. Together, they talked through the challenges, gave space for recovery, and identified realistic next steps for getting back to her routine.

After two months, she felt ready to return to aqua aerobics and walking. Her coach helped her rebuild stamina, set achievable goals, and recognize the progress she was making.

“It’s been so helpful to think things through with someone and stay on track with the goals I have for myself to stay healthy.”

Living with a chronic condition can bring many ups and downs, and having someone to help navigate those moments can make a meaningful difference. The EnhanceWellness Coach provides personalized support helping participants build the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to care for themselves in a way that meets the changing realities in life. 

Kim Phillips – NCOA NISC Founders Award and Mattie Taplin – IPAA Wellness Award

As highlighted by the National Institute of Senior Centers, Kim successfully transformed the (EnhanceFitness affiliated) Portage Zhang Senior Center into a state-of-the-art community hub,

increased participation dramatically, secured significant grant funding, and established partnerships that continue to benefit older adults throughout Michigan! Congratulations Kim!!

Mattie Taplin’s story is inspiring and reflects extraordinary resilience, faith in action, and a deep commitment to helping others. As both an EnhanceFitness instructor and an A Matter of Balance coach,she continues to make a meaningful impact in her community.

Congratulations to Mattie on receiving the Sound Generations Inspire Positive Aging Health & Wellness Award!!

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for June: Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month—a timely opportunity to support brain health in older adults through evidence-based strategies and education. While Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common cause of dementia in older adults, research shows that lifestyle factors—especially physical activity and cardiovascular health—play an important role in maintaining cognitive function and reducing risk.

Below are a few trusted, practical resources for EnhanceFitness instructors and EnhanceWellness coaches:

• Physical Activity & Brain Health (CDC)
  Clear, actionable guidance on how movement supports memory, thinking, and reduced dementia risk. Reinforces that any amount of activity helps, with added benefits at recommended levels.
  https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/boost-brain-health.html [cdc.gov]
• Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease: What Do We Know? (National Institute on Aging)
  A gold-standard summary of current evidence. Highlights promising (but still evolving) interventions like physical activity, blood pressure management, and cognitive training.
  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/preventing-alzheimers-disease-what-do-we-know [nia.nih.gov]
• Get Moving for Brain Health (Alzheimer’s Association)
  Practical exercise guidance aligned with federal recommendations, linking aerobic, strength, and balance activities to improved brain health outcomes.
  https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/get-moving [alz.org]
• Exercise & Cognitive Function in Older Adults (Research Review)
  Summarizes how regular physical activity supports memory, executive function, and overall cognitive resilience through improved blood flow, neuroplasticity, and reduced inflammation.
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7244966/ [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
• Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures (Alzheimer’s Association)
  Key data on prevalence, risk, and impact—helpful for understanding the scope of Alzheimer’s among adults 65+.
  https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures [alz.org]

Takeaway for ALL of us:
Regular, inclusive physical activity—combined with social engagement and healthy lifestyle habits—remains one of the most accessible and impactful ways to support brain health in older adults.

Post and Search EF Instructor Help-Wanted Listings – coming in July

Thanks to a great suggestion from long-time EF Affiliate Peter Kirk Community Center in Kirkland, WA, we are developing a way for EF Sites and Instructors to find each other a little more easily.

For many years, Project Enhance has sent out requests through our mailing list for substitute or permanent instructors to cover EF classes in King County, WA. But this has some important limitations. First, the message goes out once, and if it doesn’t find the right person at the right moment, the match isn’t made. Second, this only operates within King County, WA.

In July, we will launch a web page where EF Affiliates can post their announcements of available substitute and permanent EF Instructor positions anywhere in the country. We can keep the postings visible until they aren’t needed any longer. Instructors viewing the listings can filter or sort by their state or city to find relevant opportunities.

We hope this will help make new matches among the larger EF community and help keep classes going when an instructor moves on, or takes a well-earned vacation!

In July’s newsletter, look for the link to a form where Affiliates can submit their requests, and the link where Affiliates and Instructors can view the listings of open positions. As always, please reach out to ProjectEnhance@soundgenerations.org with any questions!

The Enhance Program Resource Portal

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

NEW! EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms Translation (Russian) now available!

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team