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YMCA
& Preferred Care Partner to Improve Health of Older
Adults
 The
YMCA movement was founded at a time when the median
age in the United States was 20 years old. In 1994,
the median age was 34, and by 2030, it could be up to
40. A large part of this increase is due to the sheer
numbers of the Baby Boom, but it's also due to advances
in medicine and technology that extend longevity. YMCAs
will feel these changes in several different ways.
An
aging society will have different exercise and fitness
needs. Low-impact exercise focused on maintaining strength
and flexibility and averting conditions associated with
aging will be in great demand. There might be more demand
for aquatics programs, as those are generally easy on
the joints, and by the 2010s or so, the demand for warm
water programs will probably have expanded considerably.
There
will be a growing "sandwich generation," persons
who are involved with both raising their own children
and taking care of aging parents. This adds still more
time pressure to families, as well as emotional pressure.
YMCAs that can meet needs for care for both the elderly
and children will be in great demand.
Poverty
among the elderly is declining dramatically, but rising
among the young. Senior discounts may become unsustainable
both from a financial and from a mission point of view.
Ys may need to eliminate these and offer "discounts"
only as part of financial assistance.
Medicine
is continuing to demonstrate that many of the problems
associated with aging can be minimized by physical and
mental activity as well as medical and technological
advances. While there will continue to be elderly who
need to be in residential care facilities, programs
that help the elderly to live at home as independently
as possible will be in great demand.
Baby
Boomers are the ones who said "I hope I die before
I get old" and "Never trust anyone over 30."
Many of them are alarmed by the thought of turning fifty
(and older), impending retirement, and the physical
changes associated with aging, and want to feel as young
as possible for as long as possible. They'll take classes
to help them feel youthful, and don't want the 'mature
adult' or music classes that make them feel old.
They
were also the first generation in the U.S. to popularize
Asian culture, and are likely to retain that interest,
turning to yoga and tai chi as exercise programs. Marketing
and facilities have changed to reflect the needs of
the elderly population. For example, signs have large
lettering on solid, high-contrast background. Hearing
often declines with age, and so areas where senior programs
are held are arranged to be free of extraneous noise.
Research
continues to show that mental and physical activity
stave off mental and physical decline with aging, and
that activity does not have to be intensive or exhausting
in order to produce health benefits. For example, the
right kind of exercise helps prevent arthritis and helps
people with arthritis to manage their condition. Exercise
is also shown to have a role in preventing and controlling
conditions frequently associated with aging, such as
coronary heart disease, colon cancer, high blood pressure,
and diabetes.
While
many adults remain healthy and independent as they age,
the need for personal assistance with everyday activities
often increases with age. Many seniors do not require
nursing services, but nonetheless require frequent daily
assistance. In the days of one-career families, the
daughter or daughter-in-law provided this care. Most
families now have both the husband and wife in the full-time
workforce, making this impossible. The YMCA of Greater
Rochester offers Active Older Adult programs, providing
activities, meals, and companionship during the time
when the elderly adult might otherwise be alone.
 Most
recently the YMCA of Greater Rochester as partnered
with Preferred Care in their efforts to help older adults
improve their health as a fitness center offering SilverSneakers®
to Preferred Care Gold and GoldValue health members.
Through the SilverSneakers® program, Preferred Care
Gold and GoldValue members will receive Silver Sneakers®
classes designed specifically for mature adults and
the use of all of the YMCA of Greater Rochester fitness
center facilities at no additional cost. These benefits
are a new addition to Preferred Care's award winning
You're In Charge! health and wellness programs.
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