Senior Fit is an innovative hospital sponsored exercise program for community-dwelling older adults (OAs). Participation in Senior Fit is for those 55 or older with a physician’s ok to exercise. By removing means-tested factors, Senior Fit reaches over 850 OAs at 21 locations in both urban and rural areas, free of cost to all participants. The benefit of exercise for OAs is well documented, but programs like Senior Fit also emphasize social connections and have unrealized social capital potential. Social isolation is a risk factor for OAs across all demographics is a significant contributor to increased Medicare expenditures (Flowers et al., 2017). The purpose of this research was to examine how participants viewed Senior Fit in the context of their social networks. Methods: Participants were part of one of 11 focus groups (N=72) during 2017–2018. Results: Grounded theory approach revealed three primary themes: Senior Fit gave them a sense of purpose, provided opportunity for friendship and support, and improved personal outlook (sub-themes: relationships, health, and confidence). Implications: Once involved with Senior Fit, participants realized a sense of social belonging and felt less isolated and lonely. They collectively feel part of a community and perceive the social benefit as equal to if not more important than the physical benefit of the program. Senior Fit is an effective mechanism providing an opportunity for structured, scheduled social interaction and an ability to build social capital, supporting aging in place efforts.
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