The Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s Senior Exercise Program is a program designed to improve health, increase strength and reduce falls. It began in 1997 as a pilot program at the Office for the Aging’s ten Nutrition Centers and was expanded in 1999. It is based on the Strong Women Stay Young program from Tufts University.
The program is available at over fifty locations throughout the county, and has over 1,100 participants. Classes are held in community centers, churches, libraries and town halls. There is a suggested donation for the program but it is not required. All participants must fill out an application with a brief medical history, and get a doctor’s consent before beginning the program. It is sponsored by The Dutchess County Office for the Aging, with partial funding provided by the New York State Office for the Aging and the U.S. Administration on Aging.
Workout sessions focus on exercises that will result in regaining balance as well as strength. In addition to the exercises, program organizers provide health and nutritional information and articles to further educate the participants.
Most importantly, members of today’s program have experienced fewer falls and more stamina than before, and are able to go about their daily lives with greater confidence.
The classes meet twice a week for one hour, and the ideal number of members per class is 20 so that each individual has personal attention. All exercises are done either sitting in a chair or standing behind a chair for support. Chairs are in a circle, and participants use a 10-lb. leg cuff with removable weights. This is a progressive weight-bearing program, so each person begins the program using only 1-lb. for both arms and legs. Gradually, as their individual strength increases, they increase their weights 1-lb. at a time. The recommendation is to increase weight every 4-6 weeks.
