Rye YMCA Celebrates Active Older Adults with Senior Health and Fitness Day

 

The Rye YMCA welcomed 62 active older adults to its annual Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 28. The event, which was free and open to the community, featured blood pressure monitoring, guest speakers, a raffle and exercise classes ranging from Tai Chi to Zumba.

 

During a catered lunch of salad and sandwiches, Dr. Todd Miller of Stamford Hospital spoke with the seniors about stroke prevention and treatment. Later in the afternoon, Maria Cicoria from Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy spoke about keeping aging hands strong and functioning and therapy for hand problems.

 

Barbara Mettler and Joan Meister-who heard about the event through the Y’s “Crafty Crew” class-were impressed with both speakers. “Dr. Miller was excellent,” Mettler remarked. It’s very important to learn about the symptoms of a stroke, especially at our age.” Although she joined the Rye Y nearly ten years ago, Mettler enjoyed trying new activities during Senior Health and Fitness Day.

 

Meister also liked the classes, so much so that she became a Y member. “I used to bring my children here to swim when they were young,” she noted. Now she enjoys the intergenerational aspect of the Y and being able to take classes like Functional Fitness in the afternoon.

 

On May 29, Rye Y staff took Senior Health and Fitness Day on the road when they visited residents of The Osborn. Thirty-seven older adults spent the morning in various fitness activities, including line dancing, yoga, toning and conditioning and more. Over lunch, Diana Vita, the Rye Y’s Senior Director of Member Wellness; Jason Rivera, personal trainer; and Maiju Savage, fitness class instructor, led a presentation on preventing falls.

 

The Rye Y offers a wide range of classes for active older adults, including Enhance Fitness for those suffering from arthritis, a Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program, aquatics exercise and several small social groups where adults of all ages get together to play games or discuss the latest books. For more information, contact Diana Vita or Penny Cozza at 967-6363.