Active Older Adults professionals at our YMCA realize that as we get older we may begin to get away from the things we used to do to keep ourselves fit and feeling good. It’s especially important for older adults, retirees, widows and widowers, to become actively involved in community activities as well as health and wellness activities that can prevent feelings of isolation and depression. The purpose of the YMCA’s active older adult program is to make everyday life more pleasant and productive for people of retirement age and beyond.
Some times, older citizens need an opportunity and motivation to get back into the social and exercise mainstream. When they do, they frequently begin to feel their life is more purposeful. YMCA active older adult programs include physical exercise, physical therapy and social programming.
The fifty-five and over population is growing twice as fast as any other population segment and, in Bexar County, 17 percent of the population is over sixty years of age. Even though 40 percent of elders live alone, 80 percent of their health problems are thought to be preventable or postponable through active lifestyle behaviors. As part of the YMCA’s effort to increase the ability of older adults to maintain physically and socially active lifestyles, active older adults also maintain their health and independence. Older citizens also work with children and teens, sharing their confidence, attention and life skills with children who might not have contact with “grand” parents. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 210-246-9622 for more information.

At the Davis-Scott YMCA on San Antonio’s near east side, the Early Bird Club is up and out, rain or shine, at 5:30 a.m. every day to walk around the track before exercising in the heated pool or strength training in the weight room. YMCA pools in four facility Ys host lap swimming, swimming lessons for all ages, water aerobics and water exercise classes for adults. Strength training and chair exercises are also popular workout activities for the fifty five and over crowd. Of course, today, many of those fifty-five and over are running the track and swimming in the masters. The YMCA is also a wonderful place to maintain peak performance in walking, running, biking, swimming, lifting, racquetball, basketball and more.

“Use It or Lose It,” is the working mantra for YMCA active older adults. They know the secret to joints that still flex without pain and bodies that still swim and swing without aching. Take advantage of four local YMCA facilities to maintain your health, increase your strength and bone mass as you age. Develop new physical skills and keep your social life active at your local YMCA. At the YMCA, we have room for people of all ages and abilities, from ukulele players to hand ball aficionados. Locations include:
Westside YMCA,(433-6391); Davis-Scott YMCA, (532-0932); Downtown YMCA,(246-9600) and Northwest Family YMCA, (681-9770).