Local YMCA Offers Special Programs For Seniors

CLEVELAND -- It can be frustrating for many older Americans to find a place to exercise that caters just to them.

But in this week's Successful Aging report, NewsChannel5's Brad Harvey reported that a perfect fitness program is as close as the nearest YMCA.

An annual assessment at the Southeast Family YMCA is part of the Y's Active Older Adult Initiative. Jolene Ranft is thrilled with how regular exercising has helped her.

"It's wonderful to come here and do these exercises, to move your arms and the different limbs of your body that you can't even think of moving previously if you're not exercising," she said.

The Southeast Family YMCA is particularly aggressive about offering senior programs, since 27 percent of the Bedford community is made up of senior citizens.

More than ever, there's something at the "Y" for everyone, from very fit older adults to those confined to a wheelchair. There is chair aerobics, and of course, a lot of exercises in the pool.

"The water is very important for our seniors, primarily because you don't have the kind of impact you do on land," said Leslie Champerlain, of the Y. "So there are a lot of doctors (who) are recommending seniors work out in the water."

The idea is not to send anyone to the Senior Olympics -- it's to help improve basic strength and range of motion to help seniors in their everyday lives.

"The women I just graded, they're above the normal in upper and lower body strength, which is excellent," instructor Mary Ann McCormick said. "They can pick up their groceries, they can do what they need to do around the house. They can pick up their grandchildren."

The fact that the assessments happen regularly offers a way to gauge progress, and there's also a very important social component -- two of the best ways to age successfully, NewsChannel5 reported.

For more information on the "Successful Aging Initiative" or available resources, write NewsChannel5, 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114, or log onto our special section on aging.