Maren Jorgensen

Student NameMaren Jorgensen
Faculty Mentor NameChiung-Ju Liu
CollegePublic Health and Health Professions
MajorHealth Science
MinorDisabilities in Society
Research InterestsSuccessful aging;
Prosthetics/adaptive devices;
Exercise interventions
Academic AwardsUniversity Scholars Program 2020
OrganizationsStudent Occupation Therapy Association (SOTA), Generational Relief in Prosthetics (GRiP), Pre-professional Service Organization (PSO)
Hobbies and InterestsTennis, cooking, gardening

Research Project

Adapting The 3-Step Workout For Life, A Task-Oriented Exercise Program, For Senior Living Communities Through Partnership With Fitness Staff?

This project focuses on identifying and removing the barriers confronting a task-oriented workout approach to promote ADL independence in older adults within retirement communities. These facilities frequently focus on classical resistance-based exercise rather than improving a client’s ADLs. In a previous study, our group showed that task-oriented workouts, specifically the 3-Step Workout for Life program (Liu et al., 2016), was effective in improving functional abilities in older participants. As a continuation of the original research, we aim to investigate implementation of this program in independent living facilities through their existing infrastructure. In order to successfully implement this exercise program, it is necessary to enlist the assistance of on-site fitness staff. Their perspective will offer insight into the culture of senior living communities, and help direct the modifications needed to enable successful program integration. In this research project, fitness staff currently working with the target population will be consulted to assist in answering the question: How can the 3 Step-Workout for Life exercise program be adapted for implementation in fitness facilities associated with senior living communities?