Seniors join SilverSneakers program at YMCA
Marion Broskey of South Union Township received information in the mail about the SilverSneakers program from her insurance company, she didn’t waste any time signing up. The results have been life changing for the mother of five. The 68-year-old grandmother lost 25 pounds since mid-January. Broskey walks about three miles a day above the basketball court at the Uniontown Area YMCA. Seventeen times around, she quickly said, is one mile.
“I thought it was a good program, and I like what the Y has to offer,” said Broskey, who usually walks alone six days a week at about 8 a.m.
She used to walk every day years ago, but got busy and quit. Even if she had to pay to be a member of the YMCA, she would have. She admits, though, that it’s a great incentive the membership is offered through her insurance at no additional cost to her.
Like Broskey, Harry and Dolores Fee are proud SilverSneakers’ participants.
The Fees, both 66 years old, think it’s a great program.
Dolores Fee takes aquatic and aerobic classes, while Harry Fee uses the treadmill, Nautilus and the Stair Climber. They also swim, use the steam bath and Jacuzzi.
The Fees, who could walk from their house to the YMCA in Uniontown if they wanted to, say what they like about the program is the Y’s hours. They schedule their workouts around their schedules. Harry Fee was off to work out around 9 p.m. after watching a Pitt basketball game recently.
The avid golfer, who has been a barber in Uniontown for 45 years, said he usually works out for two hours every day.
“It’s been a great opportunity through our insurance,” he said.
The popular SilverSneakers fitness program is like a gift to those 65 and older, and it doesn’t cost a penny to participate. Offered in conjunction with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield Medicare product members, HealthCare Dimensions, based in Tempe, Ariz., is the parent company of the program. It partners with select health plans nationally to provide the SilverSneakers benefit.
Through participation with the nationally recognized SilverSneakers fitness program, the Uniontown Area YMCA and the Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands in East Huntingdon Township are offering older adults a way to increase their levels of physical activity and motivate them to remain active.
The SilverSneakers fitness program is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for Medicare-eligible health plan members.
“The long-term health benefits of regular exercise for senior adults are compelling. In addition to helping seniors stay physically healthy, the program also offers a great way for them to socialize, meet new friends and have fun,” said Mary Swanson, founder, president and chief executive officer of HealthCare Dimensions.
SilverSneakers is an innovative exercise program specifically designed for Medicare beneficiaries’ unique health and physical needs. Eligible members receive a free basic membership at the YMCA or other fitness facility, where they can enjoy specialized SilverSneakers classes focusing on improving strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Certified SilverSneakers fitness instructors teach the classes at participating fitness centers. In addition to classes, SilverSneakers participants can also enjoy other fitness center membership benefits, including walking or running on treadmills, using exercise bikes, taking aquatic classes, doing weight and circuit training, taking aerobic classes, or using Jacuzzi, along with other social events.
As of this month, 23 health plans in 14 states are offering the SilverSneakers fitness program at no additional cost to more than 1.6 million Medicare-eligible members through a network of more than 575 contracted fitness centers and class sites. In Pennsylvania alone, about 300,000 letters were sent to senior citizens, informing them about the program.
When the program went into effect the first of the year at the Uniontown Area YMCA, 340 seniors signed up, according Pat Kohrman, aquatic director and senior adviser for the SilverSneakers fitness program.
“This is not costing them anything, other than their insurance premium. Some even said their insurance went down. We’ve had a tremendous response,” Kohrman said.
Participants in the exercise classes, she said, can sit in a chair or stand. Every person is different, she said. SilverSneakers’ participants are given a plastic membership card that is swiped just like a credit card every time they use it.
Though the YMCA is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays until the end of March, many SilverSneakers take advantage of the program in the afternoon.
Class sizes are limited to 30 people and because the program continues to grow, additional classes were added. The one-hour classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., and at 1 p.m. Those ongoing, well-attended classes are free for SilverSneakers’ participants. Basic stretching and weight resistance are taught.
As a SilverSneaker, Kohrman said they have full use of the YMCA. Some classes are offered for an additional fee, such as aerobic classes, aqua aerobics, or water aerobics. The YMCA offers 25 seven-week classes. It’s an additional $17 for unlimited classes. Those classes range from yoga, strengthening and toning. The class size for aqua aerobics and water walking is limited. Many who participate do so for strength and endurance. For members, there’s an extra fee for two or three day a week classes. It costs $18 for classes held twice a week, and $26 for classes held three times a week.
“People who participate get an absolute workout, with the resistance of the water,” Kohrman said.
Many men and women who have had knee or hip replacements take the water walking classes to build up their strength. No swimming skills are required because the classes are conducted in 3-feet, 6-inch deep water.
The numbers are also up for SilverSneakers at the Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands. Because of the fitness craze program, seniors who normally weren’t involved in an exercise program are in one now. “It’s one age group we weren’t capturing,” said Steve Simon, executive director, Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands in East Huntingdon Township, located off Route 119 near the Scottdale exit.
He said like many other YMCAs across the country, the East Huntingdon site has had a great response. Like the participants, he, too, is thrilled with the program and the excitement it has generated.
The Uniontown and East Huntingdon sites aren’t the only fitness centers where SilverSneakers are tiptoeing their way into the exercise arena.
Some health care plans have been using the program for many years.