Senior Center begins new wellness program

Nevada Daily Mail

The Vernon County Senior Center is initiating a new health and wellness program for older adults called EnhanceWellness. In this collaborative program between the Vernon County Health Department and Care Connection for Aging Services, which operates the Vernon County Senior Center, individuals join EnhanceWellness to maintain their independence and gain control of their health. Personalized health action plans are developed to identify strengths and risks for well-being.

A team of a nurse and social worker will work individually with each person on such issues as becoming more active, facing health challenges or dealing with grief or depression.

A key component of EnhanceWellness is an exercise program designed to help older adults at all levels of fitness become more active, energized and empowered to sustain independent lives, according to a press release from the center. Based on solid research and tested at more than 80 sites around the country, EnhanceWellness focuses on stretching, flexibility, balance, low impact aerobics and strength training exercise everything health professionals say that people need to maintain health and function as they grow older.

Training for EnhanceWellness instructors is scheduled for late October. Currently, the Vernon County Senior Center is recruiting individuals willing to become trained as instructors. "Our goal is to offer the exercise class three times a week for eight weeks at least four times per year," Sylvia Ackley, center coordinator stated. "We know that this exercise class has the ability to make a significant difference in people's lives, and we would like to make it widely available. I'd encourage anyone interested in the training to contact me. We'll be happy to work with them. We do have the potential to work out an arrangement for the exercise instructor to be paid."

The press release also noted that participants have realized benefits from the program. More than 99 percent of participants currently in such programs say they would recommend it to a friend, the release said.

The program is proven to:

* Increase strength. People who follow the program grow stronger, improve their balance, and become more limber.

* Boost activity levels. Even the unfit quickly find themselves able to do the things they want to do safely and independently.

* Elevate mood. Research shows that exercise can help prevent depression, and EnhanceWellness participants say they feet better physically and emotionally.

A cost analysis by the University of Washington on members of a local health management organization showed that healthcare utilization costs of Enhance Wellness participants were 69 percent of non-participants' costs to their HMO after one year.

The program also has won awards from the Archstone Foundation, the National Council on Aging and the U. S. Administration on Aging, a press release said.

"Even if you'd just like to learn more, give me a call and let's talk," Ackley said. "This is an important program that benefits all older adults, regardless of their current exercise status."

For more information, call Ackley at the Senior Center, (417) 667-5847.