Innovating Senior Fitness: How MultiBall Transformed Wellness At Sinai Residences
Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences in Boca Raton, was looking for a safe way to provide socializing and fitness to their residents following the COVID pandemic. With the introduction of the interactive sports system MultiBall, they found an innovative solution that not only allowed exercise at a safe distance, but also encouraged physical activity and could provide various other health benefits to their population.
Sinai Residences is a luxury, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located on the 100-acre campus of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County in Boca Raton, Florida. Open to individuals of all faiths, it offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Short-Term Rehabilitation. The community emphasizes both sophistication and physical well-being, providing state-of-the-art wellness and fitness centers, a resort-style pool, and a full-service spa.
During the spring of 2021, Rachel Blumberg, President & CEO of Sinai Residences was looking for a way to provide opportunities for socializing and fitness to the residents while maintaining a safe distance and avoiding contact. After extensive research, she came across the interactive sports system MultiBall. It turned out to be the perfect option: it not only allowed residents to exercise while wearing masks, but also keep a distance, but could also be used indoors due to the heat and humidity in Florida.
Hesitant start turned into unanimous excitement
“At first I was hesitant, because I saw professional athletes train with MultiBall and our residents are older and more fragile. But then I saw the kids programs which were fun, easy, and engaging. So I made the decision to make the investment in MultiBall”, explains Rachel Blumberg.
After MultiBall was installed in the fitness room of Sinai Residences, residents were permitted to use it as part of group class setting, such as the Parkinson group, as well as on their own time with assistance from their trainers. Because the system is so simple to operate, residents also have the opportunity to play on the weekends with friends, family and event their visiting grandchildren. Initially, this new innovative kind of technology sparked a lot of curiosity among residents, but due to the technological aspect, residents only gradually started adopting this new way of exercising.
The easy operation and fun games for all skill levels, however, made it a great addition to the fitness center and it was quickly well-received and heavily used by residents. The Multiball screen is mounted on a wall, which means the fitness room remains multifunctional and can be used for other classes.
With its selection of 50+ games that require residents to move and interact by throwing or shooting a ball, MultiBall adds a variety of activities for different skill levels to Sinai’s fitness routine. It promotes exercise and movement in a fun way that doesn’t feel like a workout. Residents regularly found themselves being out of breath after playing. Therefore, MultiBall turned out to be an ideal way to sneak in physical activity for persons who usually struggle with the discipline of exercising.
Besides providing a hidden workout, MultiBall also encourages competition and socializing. “MultiBall has been a great tool to get our residents to challenge each other in something more than card games. Even if they choose to use it alone someone always joins in on the fun which inevitably creates social interaction”, says Pamela Longin, Community Fitness Specialist at Sinai Residences.
Award-Winning Use Case and unexpected health benefits
Aside from providing exercise and competition, MultiBall added other health benefits that weren’t even considered before purchasing the MultiBall system. “I have seen quite a significant change in residents’ mobility, balance, coordination and agility. The Stroop Effect that is in the ghosting game is an added plus in creating cognitive conflict, directional changes, agility and speed. It definitely benefits our population greatly”, comments Pamela Longin.
The benefits of this new innovative way of encouraging seniors to exercise while improving their overall health, did not go unnoticed. In 2022, LeadingAge Florida, the state’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for aging services, awarded the Innovation Award to Sinai Residences for their efforts in technology-based fitness.
Future expansion into other departments
Being the first institution of its kind to introduce MultiBall to seniors in the United States, Sinai Residences truly pioneered with their technology-backed approach to improve their residents’ health. And their journey isn’t over yet, as they still think about expanding in the ways, MultiBall can bring new benefits to the population.
“We would like to incorporate MultiBall into more group classes or even offer a MultiBall class in itself. It’s innovative, fun and incorporates both fitness and cognitive interaction, yet it is safe during the pandemic,” Blumberg adds. “The best part is anyone can participate regardless of physical limitations. I truly believe this can benefit seniors everywhere.”
Download the case study to see how MultiBall is redefining fitness for senior living
