Seniors gather at YMCA for healthy lifestyle program
National Senior Health and Fitness Day is the nation’s largest older adult health promotion event. 2010 marks the 17th year for the program with more than 100,000 adults participating at local events across the country.The Tuscarawas County YMCA hosted their annual health fair on May 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in conjunction with National Senior Health and Fitness Day to promote active, healthy lifestyles for area seniors.
“We have several information areas, blood lipids and glucose testing, hearing tests, healthy snacks, and entertainment,” said Steph Wills senior program director at the YMCA. “We have this program every year the end of May. It’s a free event that is open to the public.”
Free cholesterol and glucose testing and strength and endurance testing was offered by Mercy Health Center’s Tina Grimm and Rich Ligmanowski.
“I am checking for lower and upper body strength and endurance by doing a few tests,” said Ligmanowski, fitness specialist in physical therapy at Mercy Health Center on West High in New Philadelphia. “In our office, we did a balance screening. The purpose was to screen seniors who may be at risk for falls and how we could help them. I can’t duplicate all of the tests we performed, but we can do a few here and refer them to our office for further testing. The seniors here, however, tend to be more active, so we’ve had good results here today.”
Eye exams were available from LensCrafters, and Theresa Scranton represented the One Sight program. “We do eyeglass adjustments at health fairs like this. We also go into homes and nursing homes for those who are unable to get out.”
Hearing Choice provided hearing tests for the seniors, and a representative from OSU Extension was available with information. The mission of OSU Extension is engaging people to strengthen lives and communities through research-based educational programming. Their goal is to promote wellness by bringing knowledge to life.
Angels Care Home Health, NAMI, and Hennis Care Centre of Dover and Bolivar also had helpful information for the visiting seniors.
Angels Care Home Health is a Medicare home health agency offering skilled nursing, home health aides, medical social services, occupational, physical and speech therapy that serves Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, and Tuscarawas counties.
NAMI of Tuscarawas/Carroll offers education, support and advocacy for those with mental illnesses and their families and friends.
“All of our classes are free,” said NAMI support facilitator Paula Hixenbaugh. “I coordinate the Hand-to-Hand courses for parents and children with disabilities.”
Crystal Paisley, licensed physical therapist for Hennis Care Centre, provided information to the seniors on women’s health. “I specialize in helping women with pelvic pain and incontinence.”
Music played at the senior program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sweet Pickens, a group of 15 from Carrollton, played their mountain dulcimers. The group meets on Tuesdays at the Carrollton Art Center.
This free community event was a wonderful opportunity for area seniors to receive information on several programs available to them.
“We have many things for seniors to participate in at the YMCA,” said Wills. “Twinges in the Hinges is an arthritis water aerobics program, we have a Get Moving chair exercise class, a fall senior seminar information class with lunch, badminton on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and our techno gym can be programmed for older adults who may have injuries.”
Bob Ely and his wife, Joyclin, come from Bolivar to use the Tuscarawas County YMCA facilities.
“My wife enjoys the water aerobics,” said Ely, “and I go to the gym. We have been to the health fair before, and came again today.”
Ely participated in the Mercy Health Center’s strength and endurance testing. His results verified his active, healthy lifestyle and attendance at the Tuscarawas County YMCA.
For further information on the senior programs available at the Tuscarawas County YMCA, call Steph Wills at 330-364-5511.