The Geezer Gang is a group exercise and social program for adults over 60, led by Master Bob Schirmer, a martial-arts teacher in his 70s. This page describes the program so you can judge whether it suits a patient. We are recruiting a licensed clinical advisor, and this page will grow once one has reviewed it.
What a session is
- A group class at the studio, with the same routines available as follow-along videos for home.
- Warm-up and gentle qigong, then strength, balance and mobility work at each person’s own pace, seated options included.
- Falls practice: balance drills and learning how to get down and up safely.
- Time to talk. The social side is part of the program, not an extra.
Who it may suit
Older adults who can stand or sit unaided for a short class and want company and routine. People with recent surgery, unstable heart conditions or a recent fall should be cleared by their own clinician first.
How we plan to measure
We will use the simple tests from the CDC’s STEADI falls-prevention toolkit, before and after a block of classes, and share results only as group totals:
- Timed Up and Go
- 30-Second Chair Stand
- 4-Stage Balance Test
Source: CDC STEADI – Older Adult Fall Prevention.
Referring someone
Call the Geezer line, (815) 443-GEEZ. We don’t take patient information online.
Advise the program
If you are a nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist or registered dietitian and would review what we do, we’d like to hear from you: Get involved.