The Healthy Aging Association was incorporated in 2000 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. In early 1999, the Stanislaus County Area Aging Agency on Aging contracted with a local certified fitness instructor to design a pilot exercise program for seniors age 60 and over. The result was the formation of Healthy Aging Association's Young At Heart Fitness Classes. All Young at Heart classes are neighborhood based to eliminate the transportation barrier for many community-dwelling older adults. Our Young at Heart program has grown from only 4 class locations to over 30 class locations in Stanislaus County.
Invest in Aging!
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Our goals are fall and disease prevention to help our community live independently longer. We provide fitness classes, educate on healthy living, physical fitness, and disease prevention.
Falls result in major adverse outcomes in older adults such as injury, institutionalization, and sometimes, even death. One third of community-residing adults over over the age of 65 fall each year (Verghese, Holtzer, Lipton, & Wang, 2009). Costs associated with falls among older adults are one of the 20 most medical conditions and is expected to reach $67.7 billion annually (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). These alarming estimates have led to the development of fall risk assessments and fall prevention programs, such as Young at Heart Fitness Classes. Our Young at Heart Fitness classes are targeted towards physical frailty and functional fitness. The Young at Heart Fitness Programs can help community dwelling older adults, maintain everyday function and help decrease the risk of falling by increasing/maintaining strength, increasing range of motion with stretching, and improve balance with balance activities. Maintaining strength, flexibility, and balance is important to help individuals stay strong, active, and independent. |
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Our 2018-2019 Program Overview
Young at Heart: Builds strength, increases flexibility, improves balance & mobility and reduces the risk of falling.
Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention Summit: Held annually on the third Friday in October to provide free health screenings and education to older adults and caregivers.
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Go Green for Seniors, Green Bag: Provides low income seniors, 60 years or older or disabled, a vital resource of nutritional education, light exercise and fresh produce from Second Harvest Food Bank to support healthy aging
A Matter of Balance: An evidence based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity level of older adults who have concerns about falls.
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