Community Corner

SilverSneakers Program Provides Seniors With Fitness, Friendship

The SilverSneakers program provides free YMCA memberships for qualifying seniors.

Who says you have to slow down during your golden years?

At the Raritan Valley YMCA, a group of senior citizens gathered on Monday morning for cardio circuit and range of motion classes.

Standing in the front row of the cardio circuit class was Rich Terpanjian, of North Brunswick.

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Terpanjian started attending the YMCA about three years ago. In that time, he has added a number of fitness routines to his workout, including cardio, Zumba and working on the exercise machines. Now in his early 70's, he's dropped 35 pounds in the last three years and teaches a spin class once a week.

"I do it all," he said.

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The classes are part of the YMCA's "SilverSneakers" program, available to senior citizens age 65 or older.

The program is meant to provide seniors with access to fitness programs, especially those who may be on a fixed income.

If a person's Medicaid program offers SilverSneakers, they may be eligible to have the cost of their YMCA membership picked up by their health insurance, at no cost to them.

The Raritan Valley YMCA on Tices Lane has embraced SilverSneakers, offering a number of programs for seniors.

The cardio circuit class is designed to be suitable for seniors, but can serve as a workout for anyone, said Wellness Center Coordinator Devon Craft.

"We have people (coming in) who haven't exercised in years," she said. "It's a good intro for them."

Craft instructs two courses on Monday mornings, both of which are SilverSneakers classes. One is faster paced, while the other features exercises at a slower pace, and often while seated in a chair.

"It's better for people who can't stand for a long time," she said.

YMCA members who are enrolled through SilverSneakers are eligible for a full membership at the facility, which includes access to its fitness class schedule, said Leon Pogach, Senior Program Director at the Raritan Valley facility.

They can also take part in monthly "Senior Socials" which have included a number of of events in the past, including nutritional seminars and cooking demos, game days and guest presenters, Pogach said. 

When SilverSneakers was launched, its purpose was to add activity to sedentary lifestyles, Pogach said.

However, as the baby boomer generation ages and becomes eligible for retirement and social security, its becoming evident that they are a generation that is "way more" active than the generation before, he said.

So instead of being a reintroduction to physical activity, the program now serves as an alternative activity source, and for many of the participants at the Raritan Valley YMCA, a social gathering.

"It's a nice little family we have here," Craft said.

For more information on SeniorSneakers, or to find out how to qualify for the program, call Arline Chelbian at (732) 257-4114.

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