WELL-BEING IN MOTION: PHYSIOTHERAPY INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN SANTA INES – MA

Abstract

This outreach project aims to assist older adults in performing physical exercises safely and accessibly at home. Its overarching goal is to promote health and quality of life through "well-being in motion," utilizing physiotherapy initiatives to foster health, autonomy, and disease prevention, while improving physical and functional capabilities. The project focuses on body movement and raising awareness about the importance of physical activity for health. The methodology involves an educational talk on the benefits of regular physical activity, followed by stretching exercises and demonstrations that participants can easily incorporate into their daily routines. Subsequent sessions featured interactive activities and exercises that demonstrated significant progress over the course of the visits. A field study was conducted with 22 older adults from a group at the Júlia Sabbak Municipal School in Santa Inês, Maranhão. Data were collected via a questionnaire to identify exercise habits and health conditions, followed by practical workshops and open dialogue to qualitatively assess participant perceptions. Thus, the project contributes to strengthening preventive physiotherapy practices and promoting healthy habits among older adults, thereby enhancing their physical well-being and quality of life.