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10 Weeks, Remarkable Results: EnhanceFitness Makes an Impact at L’Arche Jacksonville, FL

by Savannah Seiple, CTRS

Over the past 10 weeks, Sunshine Recreation had the opportunity to bring EnhanceFitness to adults aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities at L’Arche Jacksonville. Savannah Seiple, CTRS, Sunshine Recreation Program Director and EnhanceFitness Instructor, led the group through weekly classes throughout the program.

The participants did an incredible job, and both staff observations and post-program assessments showed meaningful improvements in strength and mobility. On average, participants increased arm curl performance by 34%, improved sit-to-stand performance by 14%, and completed the Timed Up & Go 10% faster compared with their initial assessments.

Beyond the numbers, it was exciting to see participants become stronger, more comfortable with the exercises, and increasingly engaged each week. We were thrilled to see measurable progress in just 10 weeks through EnhanceFitness and are excited about the potential for continued growth as we begin another session at L’Arche Jacksonville!

Key Details to Watch: CMS 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)

The proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) introduces historic shifts specifically designed to integrate lifestyle medicine, physical activity, and behavioral changes directly into reimbursed clinical care including two for our EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness Affiliates to watch:

1. Health Coaching: For the first time, CMS has proposed a national Medicare payment pathway for health and well-being coaching services.
2. Expanding Evidence-Based Community Programs: The proposed rule actively opens doors for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and Community Care Hubs (CCHs).

Reminder: EF Instructor Job & Research Opportunities Page Now Available

Last month, we launched a new online resource for the EnhanceFitness community that allows EF Affiliates to share substitute and permanent instructor job openings and provides a place to promote opportunities for participation in research projects.

The EF Instructor Opportunities page is available through the EF Instructor and EF Affiliate Resource Portal login. Affiliates can submit job postings by completing a simple request form, and approved opportunities are added to a searchable table for instructors across the country.

EF Instructors can browse current openings and search by keywords such as location, city, or day of the week to find opportunities that fit their needs. Be sure to scroll to the right when viewing the table to see all posting details.

If you have questions about using the page or submitting a posting, please contact ProjectEnhance@soundgenerations.org.

Fall Prevention Awareness Week is September 21-25, 2026

Social Media Best Practices and Toolkit

Tips for hosting a Fall Prevention Day of Action

Handouts and more!

Older Adult Physical Activity Gains: Building National Attention

Across healthcare, aging services, and fitness sectors, there is growing recognition that regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for supporting healthy aging, maintaining independence, and improving quality of life.

Over the past month, EnhanceFitness and this important conversation have been highlighted through several national platforms:

• The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Momentum Discussions Podcast featured a conversation on The Missing Prescription: Why Strength Training Belongs in Health Care, exploring the critical role of strength training in healthy aging.
• EnhanceFitness was highlighted as part of a national panel discussion, Integrated Obesity Care for Older Adults: Turning Vision into Practice in the U.S., examining how evidence-based community programs can help translate healthcare recommendations into meaningful action and improved outcomes.
• A new publication, The Exercise is Medicine® Active Aging Initiative: Aligning Healthcare, Exercise Professionals and Community Resources to Support Healthy Aging (Stoutenberg, Denison, & Joy, 2026), outlines a framework for strengthening connections between healthcare providers, exercise professionals, and community organizations to help older adults access evidence-based physical activity opportunities.

Together, these discussions reinforce the value of programs like EnhanceFitness and the vital role community-based exercise programs play in helping older adults stay active, healthy, and engaged.

Learn more:

• GSA Momentum Discussions Podcast: The Missing Prescription: Why Strength Training Belongs in Health Care
• Integrated Obesity Care for Older Adults Webinar
• Exercise is Medicine® Active Aging Initiative article

EnhanceWellness: What Are Participants Saying?

Testimonials shared by Jeneane Slate, BSN, RN, EnhanceWellness Coach at UCHealth, Fort Collins, CO

“Thank you so much for everything! I really do appreciate your time and focus on me. I truly do feel like you care about your clients and do your best to help them. You yourself are an amazing person, thank you for being you! I will miss our meetings!”

“I am ecstatic! My A1c is back down to 5.3. It was 5.5 on Nov 26th. The diet changes and increased exercise are definitely working!!!! Thank you for your encouragement and support. Being accountable to you has really made a difference for me being able to stick with making these changes. I will let the dietitian know as well, that her guidance on making better food choices has really paid off for me.” 

“Thank you so much for your encouragement, and your caring heart. You are a blessing in my life dear! And I’m sure I will continue to thrive with you coaching me!! I appreciate all you are, and all you do!”

“Thank you so much for that encouragement. I felt better when I walked out of your office! I’m so glad I came this morning!”  

“I really liked the article. It had lots of good ideas, and I feel like you are really supporting me to take these small steps.”

“Thank you for everything you do for me and for keeping me accountable.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did for me yesterday! I loved meeting you and am amazed and yet not amazed at how it turned out. I at last feel supported. I wasn’t going to mention my health situation, but I did. And God provided a support person who is knowledgeable about my situation. How about that?? Thank you, thank you!”

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for August: Preparing for Healthy Aging Month – Small Actions, Lasting Impact

As we look ahead to Healthy Aging Month in September, it’s a great opportunity for EF Instructors, EW Coaches, and community organizations to reinforce the habits and programs that help older adults maintain independence, mobility, and quality of life. Healthy aging is more than adding years to life. It is about supporting physical, mental, and social well-being at every stage of aging.

1. Prioritize Strength, Balance, and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity remains one of the most effective interventions for healthy aging. The CDC recommends that adults age 65 and older participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days and activities that improve balance. These activities help maintain independence, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and support the ability to perform everyday tasks. [cdc.gov], [nia.nih.gov]

Program takeaway: Consider how your EnhanceFitness classes and EnhanceWellness coaching programs intentionally incorporate strength training and balance activities, not just aerobic exercise.

2. Address Fall Prevention Before a Fall Occurs

Falls are one of the leading threats to older adults’ health, safety, and independence. The National Institute on Aging notes that fall risk increases with age and can result in fractures, hospitalization, and disability. Evidence-based fall prevention programs, balance training, and environmental safety education can significantly reduce fall risk and improve confidence in daily movement. [nia.nih.gov], [ncoa.org]

Program takeaway: Integrate balance assessments, functional movement exercises, and fall prevention education into routine programming rather than treating them as separate services.

3. Promote Social Connection as a Health Strategy

Healthy aging includes social well-being. The CDC identifies social connectedness as a key component of healthy aging, alongside physical and mental health. Research highlighted by the National Council on Aging suggests that social engagement can support mobility, cognitive health, confidence, and overall well-being while helping reduce risk factors associated with falls and physical decline. [cdc.gov], [ncoa.org]

Program takeaway: EnhanceFitness classes, EnhanceWellness coaching, wellness workshops, volunteer opportunities, and peer-supported programming can strengthen both physical and social health outcomes.

Looking Ahead

Healthy Aging Month is a timely reminder that the most effective aging strategies are often the simplest: moving regularly, building strength and balance, and fostering meaningful social connections. As professionals serving older adults, we have a unique opportunity to create programs and environments that help people age with confidence, resilience, and independence. By focusing on these key areas coming into September and beyond, we can make a lasting impact on the communities we serve!

The Enhance Program Resource Portal

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

UPDATED 8/25/2026: EnhanceFitness Remote Delivery Guide – featuring new liability information

EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms Translation (Russian) now available!

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)

Post and Search EF Instructor Job Opportunities!

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