Strength on Wheels: A Meal Delivery and Exercise Intervention for Homebound Older Adults

The purpose of this study is to implement a home-based exercise program, administered through Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston Meals on Wheels (MOWGH), and evaluate its effects on frailty status and nutritional markers in homebound older adults.

Patients will receive 12 weeks of meals on wheels meal delivery consisting of 3 meals per day during the weekdays with 6 frozen meals to cover the weekends.They will also receive an exercise kit on the first visit by the meal delivery driver with 2 tennis balls,2 1-pound hand weights, and one towel.Every week,the driver will give them 3 exercises from the National Institute on Aging's Go4Life Workout-to-Go book,1 exercise from each of 3 categories:strength/endurance, balance, and flexibility. They will be asked to do the 3 exercises every day.The meal delivery drivers will ask daily questions about physical activity and any potential injuries and the participants will be asked to track their own weekly exercise and physical activity as well as their monthly progress on a standardized log. All participants will also be asked to wear a fitness activity tracker which will monitor heart rate, activity level, and sleep habits for the duration of the study.

Patients will receive 12 weeks of an enhanced meals on wheels (MOW) in-person meal delivery consisting of 3 meals per day (1 shelf-stable, 1 hot, and 1 frozen) during the weekdays (Monday through Friday) with 6 frozen meals at the end of the week to cover the weekends.The meal delivery drivers will ask daily questions about physical activity and any potential injuries and the participants will be asked to track their own weekly exercise and physical activity as well as their monthly progress on a standardized log. All participants will also be asked to wear a fitness activity tracker which will monitor heart rate, activity level, and sleep habits for the duration of the study.

The FFP defines frailty as having 3 or more characteristics of unintentional weight loss, fatigue, decreased physical activity, weakness, and slowness.Those who have 1 or 2 characteristics are considered pre frail, while those who have no characteristics are robust.

The FFP defines frailty as having 3 or more characteristics of unintentional weight loss, fatigue, decreased physical activity, weakness, and slowness.Those who have 1 or 2 characteristics are considered pre frail, while those who have no characteristics are robust.

Inclusion Criteria: enrolled in UT-Health Harris Health House Call Program (HCP) Frail or pre frail by FFP medically stable Exclusion Criteria: robust by FFP Mini-Cog score <3 and/or are unable to follow instructions pre-diagnosed terminal illness unable to ambulate,and/or are unable to use their upper extremities