The ForeverWell programming at Woodbury’s YMCA offers classes and social events for adults ages 55 and older such as board and card game groups, a book club, a grief support group, line dancing and more. iStock/shironosov
The Woodbury YMCA’s ForeverWell programming helps older adults stay healthy and connected.
For many seniors, staying physically active and socially engaged can be a challenge, but the Woodbury YMCA’s ForeverWell programming is designed to change that. Aimed at adults ages 55 and older, ForeverWell offers a wide range of classes, programs and social events that help older adults stay connected, healthy and thriving.
Tara Monack, executive director of the Woodbury YMCA, says the focus of most ForeverWell programs is the spirit-mind-body connection. “As we age, our bodies tend to not work as well as they did when we were younger,” Monack says. “It’s important to keep our strength, keep moving and keep our minds healthy—continuing to interact with different activities that help the body and brain.”
In addition to the mainstream YMCA fitness classes that are available to all members, ForeverWell participants have access to senior-focused classes, educational talks, a grief support group, a book club, board and card game groups and plenty of social events—like the 60 and Solo meetup group and opportunities to connect with the youngest members of the Woodbury community at preschooler-and-ForeverWell gatherings. There are educational sessions on dementia; classes about coping with Parkinson’s disease; senior-specific CPR trainings; fitness classes from yoga to line dancing; pickleball; and plenty of pool-based offerings, like water aerobics, WaterBall and salsa splash.
Research shows that social isolation is a growing health concern for seniors, something programs like ForeverWell want to address. “We have so many people who live alone, and as they age, they’ve lost friends. It’s really hard to make friends at an older age too,” Monack says. “They appreciate being able to come here, get involved and they’re leaving the Y and making plans and continuing to get together.”
Monack says most ForeverWell members find the Woodbury YMCA in one of three ways. Some are longtime Y members who start attending ForeverWell classes as they age. Others seek out a Y membership for the first time as they become eligible for insurance reimbursement programs like Silver Sneakers. Many show up at the recommendation of friends or family members.
One of the great things about Woodbury’s ForeverWell offerings is how member feedback informs them, Monack says. “We did a trial of a balance study last year,” she says. “We’d offer a baseline balance assessment, give participants ideas of things they could do at the Y to improve balance and then have them come back 60 days later for a retest.” The trial was so successful the team launched several senior strength and balance classes. “People noticed a huge difference,” Monack says. “They found techniques they could use to increase their balance.”
Similarly, the ForeverWell grief support group was born from a few members’ initiatives. “A couple of members kind of put it together on their own, and it started with two or three people. It’s grown to 15 or 20 people, and they meet every week,” Monack says. “They’re very welcoming of new people coming in and are making a huge difference. We have people come to ForeverWell initially just because they’ve heard about the grief group.”
Monack and her team intend to keep ForeverWell programming evolving along with its membership. “We really want everyone to feel comfortable coming here and feel a sense of belonging,” she says. “We want everyone to feel like family when they come in.”
YMCA memberships for individual adults start at $77. Many insurance plans cover part or all of that cost, and the YMCA offers financial assistance. For information about ForeverWell programming, contact the Woodbury YMCA.
Woodbury YMCA
2175 Radio Drive; 651.731.9507
