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!

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. 
  • Each year, there are about 3 million emergency department visits due to older people falls.
  • Each year, there are about 1 million fall-related hospitalizations among older adults.
  • In 2019, 83% percent of hip fracture deaths and 88% of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for hip fractures were caused by falls.
  • Each year, nearly 319,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). 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.

Our 2024-2025 Program Overview

​Young at Heart Fitness Classes
The Young at Heart Fitness classes target physical frailty and functional fitness. They help older adults maintain everyday function and help decrease the  risk of falling by increasing and/or maintaining strength, increasing range of motion, and improving balance. We also offer a twice
weekly online “live” fitness class, along with our in-person classes throughout the community.
  • 997 Older adults Exercised in Young at Heart Strength Training​ in Stanislaus County, 113 Older adults in San Joaquin County and 27 Older adults joined our programs virtually.
​Go Green for Seniors, Green Bag
The Go Green for Seniors - Green Bag Program gives low income older adults and persons with disabilities 10-pounds of fruits and vegetables once a month. 23,270 pounds of produce distributed in the year. 331 unduplicated participants
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Distribution locations in Modesto, Grayson, Patterson, Oakdale, and Riverbank.​​​
Line Dancing 
A new style of exercise was added to our program offerings. This Line Dancing for Exercise class kicked off in June 2022. There was such a demand that another class was started to meet the demand.
There are two-once a week classes that meet for one-hour. Participants can expect to learn various dance steps to improve strength, muscle function, balance, and heart health.
  • 126 Older Adults Exercised in Line Dancing throughout the Fiscal Year.​
Tai Chi/Tai Ji Quan
This is a Fall Prevention Program that improves strength, mental health, and helps to reduce the likelihood of falling.

There are two site locations that meet twice a week for one-hour.

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  • 113 Older Adults joined this program this year.​
Young at Heart S.T.E.P.S. 
Senior Tracking Exercise in Perfect Strides

Two annual 12-week walking challenges are offered to encourage participants to increase their physical activity. Participants receive weekly motivational emails and adherence calls to keep them motivated and to offer them encouragement as they walk and track their miles. Participants can walk anywhere at any time!

At the conclusion of both challenges there is an in-person awards brunch to celebrate all the participants for their hard work. 

  • 121 participants
  • 33,937 Total Miles Walked!
Dignity At Home Program
This fall prevention program provides home assessments, fall prevention education, with the possibility of injury prevention accessories to qualifying individuals 60 and older or person with disabilities who are at risk of falling in Stanislaus County.

July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
149 Total Participants Served
59 Fall Prevention Education Presentations
509 Injury Prevention Accessories Installed

Our Annual Reports

Annual Report 2024-2025
Annual Report 2023-2024
Annual Report 2022-2023
Annual Report 2021-2022 
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
Annual Report 2019 - 2020
Annual Report 2018-2019​
Annual report 2017-2018
Annual Report 2016-2017
Annual Report 2015-2016
Annual Report 2014-2015
Annual Report 2013-2014
Annual Report 2012-2013
Annual Report 2011-2012