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 White Plains, NY - Westchester seniors will be able to do low-impact aerobics, dance, try yoga and tai chi, swim, exercise with weights, learn how to develop a healthier lifestyle and much more during the 16th annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 27 at locations throughout the county.
The theme for this year’s nationwide event is “Fitness is a Good Move,” and it is part of County Executive Andy Spano’s “Be Fit Westchester” anti-obesity campaign.
“This event gives seniors a chance to experience some appropriate and enjoyable forms of exercise,” Spano said. “It also gives them the opportunity to find out about the many health-related resources in our community. I encourage all seniors to take part.”
The event is sponsored by the Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) and its Health and Wellness Coalition, a group of 20 community organizations.
Activities are scheduled this year at more than 15 locations in the county, such as community centers and nutrition sites. The activities at each location will vary in size and many have both physical exercise and educational components.
The sessions are free and open to seniors who are 60 years or older, but in some locations seniors must live in a specific community to take part in its activities.
Other activities will include cooking demonstrations, information about breast cancer and screenings for blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. There will also be programs on nutrition education presented by registered dietitians from DSPS and elsewhere.
Programs for Spanish-speaking seniors will take place on two days: on May 26 at GuildCare in Yonkers and on May 27 at Beth Abraham Health Services in White Plains.
National Senior Health and Fitness Day is organized as a public/private partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national information clearinghouse for the older adult market. It always takes place on the last Wednesday in May, which is Older Americans Month. The center estimates that about 100,000 older adults will participate in the program this year.
DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said appropriate exercise is essential for seniors if they want to be healthy and independent for as long as possible.
“Being physically fit is important at any age,” Carpenter said. “Not only does exercise help you to feel well, but it can alleviate conditions such as depression. In some cases, it can help to prevent falls.”
Below is the list of locations where the health and fitness events will take place. Call the sites for information about specific activities and times and whether reservations are needed. For additional information, call DSPS at (914) 813-6300.
Eastchester
Eastchester Nutrition Site, Lake Isle 337-0390
Eastchester Nutrition Site, Garth Road 771-3340
Greenburgh Parks and Recreation 693-8985 ext. 116
Mount Pleasant Community Center 592-6441
Mount Vernon
Armory 665-2435
Mount Vernon YMCA 668-4041
New Castle Parks & Recreation 238-8888
Ossining Senior Center 762-1350
Peekskill Nutrition Program 734-4250
Rye Brook Seniors 939-7904
White Plains
The Burke Smart Fitness Center 422-1423
(sponsored by The Burke Smart Fitness Center,
City of White Plains Senior Center, White Plains
Hospital Center - Division of Geriatric
Services and Willow Towers Assisted Living)
The Westchester Medical Group 681-3101
White Plains Family YMCA 949-8030 ext. 206
YWCA of White Plains 428-1130 ext. 306
Beth Abraham Health Services (in Spanish) 813-6393
Yonkers
YWCA of Yonkers 963-0640 ext. 105
GuildCare (in Spanish on May 26) 813-6393
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