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In Danville, Illinois, CRIS Healthy Aging has partnered with the Danville YMCA to promote fitness and strength among seniors. This collaboration aims to enhance the health and well-being of older adults in the community.
CRIS Healthy Aging offers a six-week exercise program called Fit and Strong, specifically designed for individuals aged 60 and above. The primary objective of this initiative is to empower seniors to maintain their independence by engaging both their physical and mental faculties.
Lisa Miller, the Executive Director of CRIS Healthy Aging, emphasized that the Fit and Strong program focuses on enabling seniors to exercise safely, minimizing the risk of falls, and effectively managing arthritis.
For three years, the program was conducted at the CRIS Healthy Aging facility, but space limitations were a challenge. Recognizing this, Laura Floyd, CEO of the Danville YMCA, offered a solution by providing additional resources and support.
“The Y is a good fit because we have the space,” Floyd said.
And it’s all free. Classes have been in session for more than a month, and Floyd said the group has adapted well.
“Lots of smiles when they come back upstairs, I see a lot of smiles. I see them like enthused to go downstairs and work out,” Floyd said.
Paulette Miller is a volunteer who took courses to teach this class. She has osteoporosis, and the time spent helping others is helping her as well.
“It gets them out of the house. They find that people who are sedentary, it’s a death sentence for people who don’t move,” Miller said.
She added that the best part is the fun they all have.
“Well, we joke around. Mister Bob is my favorite, he’s my favorite person in there, because he’s honest,” Miller said.
And Mister Bob Bruett, that is, and the rest of the class, are here to learn so that they can keep on living.
“We don’t know our left from our right, but it works really well,” Bruett said. “Its a great class, I would like to continue it.”
CRIS Healthy Aging is a community initiative offered from Carle Health.