Health and Wellness
HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE
Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging has partnered with the Harrisburg Area YMCA to offer a variety of evidence-based programs to impact the health and well-being of our Dauphin County seniors. Below are the program descriptions. Programs are held throughout the year in person at the Harrisburg and Elizabethville YMCA’s as well as other community locations. To sign up for more information about the programs or to register, contact the YMCA’s Health Living Team at 717-232-2027 or click the “GET STARTED” links below each program description.
https://ymcaharrisburg.org/locations/ymca-center-healthy-living/programs/
Enhance®Fitness is a senior fitness and arthritis control program nationally recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department on Aging, and the National Council on Aging.
Regular low-intensity physical activity can reduce arthritis pain and improve functioning, elevate mood, and delay the onset of disability for individuals with arthritis. Arthritis is an ailment of painful joint stiffness and inflammation that
affects nearly 5 million Americans. This includes about half of all adults over age 65 and a third to one-half of people living with chronic diseases.
Duration
Enhance®Fitness meets three times each week and runs for 16 consecutive weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must be 60 years of age or older.
Program Goals
Enhance®Fitness aims to safely increase participants’ fitness levels through aerobic and strength training exercises.
Request More Information
Programs are held throughout the year in person at our YMCA branches in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and Elizabethville as well as other community locations. Our staff are ready to help you with program eligibility and intake! Click to tap to register for more information regarding Enhance®Fitness.
Healthy Steps in Motion
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging offers a falls prevention exercise program to adults 60 years of age and older in Dauphin County. Healthy Steps In Motion is taught by Certified Workshop Leaders and is designed for people of all fitness levels.
It starts with a warm-up, followed by strength and balance exercises and ends with a cool-down stretch. There are three levels of falls prevention exercises, which enables participants to continue HSIM for as long as they like.
Duration
Healthy Steps in Motion consists of 8 sessions, presented as either a 2-session per week program over 4 weeks, or a 1-session per week program over 8 weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must be 60 years of age or older.
Program Goals
This program aims to build strength, increase flexibility, and improve balance and stability through guided exercises and supportive instruction.
Request More Information
Programs are held throughout the year in person at our YMCA branches in Dauphin County as well as other community locations. Our staff are ready to help you with program eligibility and intake! Click to tap to register for more information regarding Healthy Steps In Motion.
Diabetes Prevention Program
Did you know that 1 out of 3 American adults has prediabetes? The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program utilizes PreventT2, a proven program to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The PreventT2 lifestyle change program can help you lose weight, become more physically active, and reduce stress. Participants will receive a CDC-approved curriculum and trained lifestyle coach, as well as support from others in your group as you learn new skills.
Duration
YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program. The first six months include weekly hour-long classes; the remaining six months include hour-long classes held once or twice per month.
Eligibility Criteria
- 18 years of age and older
- Overweight (BMI ≥ 25)
- Diagnosed with prediabetes via one of three blood tests
- Previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes
Program Goals
The program helps you work up to at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and lose 5–7% of your body weight within the first six months, promoting long-term health and wellness.
Request More Information
Programs are held throughout the year in person and virtually at our YMCA branches in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and Elizabethville as well as other community locations. Our staff are ready to help you with program eligibility and intake! Click to tap to register for more information regarding the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program.
Diabetes Self-Management
This program teaches practical techniques to help participants better manage the symptoms of diabetes and improve daily quality of life. Funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Through group discussions and guided activities, participants learn strategies to cope with fatigue, pain, and blood sugar fluctuations, as well as ways to handle stress and the emotional challenges that often accompany diabetes.
Duration
The Diabetes Self-Management Program meets for two and half hours each week for six weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in Diabetes Self-Management, participants must be 60 years of age or older and have type 2 diabetes.
Program Goals
This program helps participants take control of their health by building confidence in managing diabetes, preventing or delaying complications, and learning practical tools for daily care.
Request More Information
Programs are held throughout the year in person at our YMCA branches in Dauphin County and other community locations. Our staff are ready to help you with program eligibility and intake! Click to tap to register for more information regarding the Diabetes Self-Management Program.
Diabetes Self-Management
This program teaches practical techniques to help participants better manage the symptoms of diabetes and improve daily quality of life. Funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Through group discussions and guided activities, participants learn strategies to cope with fatigue, pain, and blood sugar fluctuations, as well as ways to handle stress and the emotional challenges that often accompany diabetes.
Duration
The Diabetes Self-Management Program meets for two and half hours each week for six weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in Diabetes Self-Management, participants must be 60 years of age or older and have type 2 diabetes.
Program Goals
This program helps participants take control of their health by building confidence in managing diabetes, preventing or delaying complications, and learning practical tools for daily care.
Request More Information
Programs are held throughout the year in person at our YMCA branches in Dauphin County and other community locations. Our staff are ready to help you with program eligibility and intake! Click to tap to register for more information regarding the Diabetes Self-Management Program.
Chronic Disease Self-Management
This group-based program helps participants with one or more chronic condition take charge of their health through education, support, and practical tools. Each session explores essential topics like safe and effective exercise, fall prevention, healthy eating, better breathing, and proper medication use.
Participants also learn how to communicate more confidently and make informed decisions to support long-term well-being. Funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Duration
CDSMP meets for two and half hours each week for six weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
This program is intended for adults with any physical or mental chronic condition or multiple chronic conditions.
Program Goals
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program helps participants improve physical and mental well-being, boost confidence, increase motivation to manage challenges, and gain practical knowledge to manage chronic conditions effectively.
Request More Information
Programs are held throughout the year in person at our YMCA branches in Dauphin County and other community locations. Our staff are ready to help you with program eligibility and intake! Click to tap to register for more information regarding the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Please contact the Dauphin County Senior Centers to learn about and take advantage of their programs and services.
https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/human-services/area-agency-on-aging/services/senior-centers