Chronic Disease and Evidence Based Programs

Chronic Disease and Evidence Based Programs

In communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. Over past 15 years, the Y has driven innovation in prevention and control of chronic disease to save lives and reduce healthcare spending. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Y delivers tangible results in evidence-based chronic disease prevention and control. Across the country, Ys are increasing opportunities and policies promoting physical activity, improving access to healthy affordable foods and advancing environmental change that makes the healthier choice the easy choice.

Here at the Greater Scranton YMCA, we are proud to offer the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, EnhanceFitness and Matter of Balance.

YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – Change is tough. We can help! If you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, you can make small, measurable changes that can reduce your risk and help you live a happier, healthier life. The program offers motivation and support, featuring 26 sessions delivered over the course of one year. Sessions are led by a trained lifestyle coach. Classes are offered in both Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties.

EnhanceFitness – EnhanceFitness is a proven, community-based fitness and arthritis management program. Its purpose is to help older adults become more active, energized and empowered for independent living. The program is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Administration on Aging and the National Council on Aging.

  • Up to 25 participants in each class; chairs and soft weights are provided
  • Class meets 3 times per week and focuses on flexibility, balance, strength and movement
  • Fitness assessment is administered at the start of the program and at the end

Matter of Balance – Matter of Balance is a program targeted to older adults for whom falling and the fear of falling is impacting mobility and independence. The program meets once per week for eight weeks. During program sessions, staff will work to prevent falls through behavior change, awareness and exercise.

For questions and more information on chronic disease prevention programs, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at [email protected] or (570) 828-3116.

Enhance Fitness (Spring 2024)

All Locations
6/10/24 - 9/23/24
VIEW

EnhanceFitness, a free evidence-based group exercise and falls prevention program that helps older adults at all levels of fitness become more active, energized, and empowered to sustain independent lives. Class meets 3x per week.

EnhanceFitness participants are led by a certified instructor with special training to bring out the physical best from older adults. A typical one-hour session includes:

  • A 5-minute warm-up to get the blood flowing to the muscles
  • A 20-minute aerobic workout that gets participants moving
  • A 5-minute cool-down to lower the heart rate safely
  • A 20-minute strength training workout with soft cuff weights on the arms and legs (0 up to 20 pounds)
  • A 10-minute stretching workout to keep the muscles flexible
  • Dynamic and static balance exercises throughout the class
  • Lots of opportunities for participants to make new friends

Beyond cuff weights, EnhanceFitness classes do not require any special equipment. A certified instructor, who has completed the EnhanceFitness training, will safely lead the class through an hour of exercises at a pace that’s right for the participants. To ensure that the instructor can attend to all participants, in-person classes are limited to 20 participants.

Participants’ progress is tracked with fitness checks completed at the time the individual joins EnhanceFitness, again after four months, and then as often as needed.

Over 99% of participants say they would recommend EnhanceFitness to a friend.

The program is proven to:

  • Improve physical function
  • Decrease depression
  • Protect against falls and fall injury
  • Provide a social benefit
  • Promote a physically active lifestyle
  • Reduce medical care utilization costs
  • Decrease unplanned hospitalizations
  • Decrease mortality rates

Available Sessions

Date(s)
06/10/24 - 09/23/24
Mo,We,Fr - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Registration
Closed

 

Youth Sports Scholarships!

Thanks to grant funding from YMCA of the USA, the Greater Scranton YMCA is awarding youth sports scholarships to 125 children!