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 2025-2026 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.
  • 1,083 Older adults Exercised in Young at Heart Strength Training​ in Stanislaus County, 1107 Older adults in San Joaquin County and 23 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. 373 unduplicated participants
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Distribution locations in Modesto, Grayson, Patterson, Oakdale, and Riverbank.​​​
Line Dancing 
Our Line Dancing for Exercise classes are a massive hit among our older adult community! We host one-hour sessions every Tuesday and Friday where participants groove to a variety of musical genres. As they master new routines, dancers also boost their balance, strength, and memory. Beyond the physical perks, it's a wonderfully social activity that our members eagerly anticipate.
  • 137 Older Adults Exercised in Line Dancing throughout the Fiscal Year.​
Tai Chi/Tai Ji Quan
Our Tai Chi and Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance programs are designed to enhance physical strength, stability, and mental well-being while significantly reducing the risk of falls. Participants can pick their preferred class type. Each option features two one-hour sessions every week.

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  • 102 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 encourage participants to increase their physical activity. Walkers track their miles and receive continuous support through weekly motivational emails and adherence calls. These challenges allow participants to walk anywhere, at anytime. At the end of the challenge participants are invited to an awards ceremony to celebrate everyone's hard work.

  • 122 participants
  • 29,104 Total Miles Walked!
Aging in Place - Fall Prevention Program
The Aging in Place/Dignity At Home Fall Prevention Program provides home assessments, fall prevention education, and injury prevention accessories to qualifying individuals 62 and older who are at risk of falling in Stanislaus County.

The Healthy Aging Association schedules a fall hazard assessment in your home by a Certified Aging in Place Specialist and is overseen by an Occupational Therapist. Based on the assessment, Home Safety Services
may install injury prevention accessories.

July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
191 Total Participants Served
18 Fall Prevention Education Presentations
298 Injury Prevention Accessories Installed

Our Annual Reports

Annual Report 2025-2026
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
Learn about our Impact in the Community