YMCA of Western NC - Supporting Seniors Through Active Aging

You're taking the first steps on your new health journey. But as you've aged, you have real apprehensions about diving into a new regimen alone. You can search for 'senior exercise classes near me,' but be left unsure about their dedication to seniors. Or wonder whether they'll address other aspects of your health.

At the YMCA of Western North Carolina, you'll find exercise classes, education, and social events built especially for you. More than that, you'll participate in programs for all ages led by staff and volunteers attuned to your individual needs. And as part of our commitment to healthy aging in NC, you may qualify for a senior discount or free membership.

Your YMCA senior membership benefits will bring you into an intergenerational community that respects your unique needs. Through YMCA exercise classes for seniors, you'll safely improve your overall fitness and heart health. Support groups and social events will bring you new friends and boost your mental health, while our classes and workshops will unlock new passions. Ready to experience Healthy Aging at the YMCA of North Carolina?

Active Aging Encompasses More Than A Workout

For most seniors, a desire to maintain independence animates internet searches for 'senior fitness near me.' A new exercise regimen will certainly improve some health outcomes, including walking and movement needed to maintain an independent lifestyle. However, there's more to aging fit than exercise. Active, healthy aging combines fitness with attention to mental health and a balanced diet.

Embracing Active Aging Boosts Physical Health

Want to begin active aging but not sure where to begin? If you're able, one of the best ways is just to start walking. Walking can build muscle, provide light, approachable cardio, while being easier on joints compared to running. It may seem simple, but getting more steps carries real benefits. In one study, seniors who took 8,000 steps or more had a 51% lower morbidity risk from all causes compared to seniors who only took 4,000 steps.

As you continue building fitness, you'll find opportunities to develop improved physical health further regardless of its impact on the scales. As you take on more moderate and vigorous physical activity through workouts like group classes, you even begin to prevent declines in muscle function typically associated with age.

Your fellow seniors may have also had the right idea when searching for 'senior weight training near me.' Research shows that building muscle mass can help extend lifespans and is a better predictor than weight or body-mass index. You don't need to become a bodybuilder at 65, but picking up some weights at the Y can help!

Mental Health Cannot Be Overlooked

Far too many seniors report feeling socially isolated sometimes or often. While these feelings peaked at 56% in 2020, over 1 in 3 seniors still experience social isolation, a higher rate than in 2018. Feeling socially isolated doesn't just put critical resources out of reach; it directly impacts senior health.

Left unaddressed, those feelings of loneliness and social isolation can put seniors at a higher risk for heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. Persistent loneliness may even speed up cognitive declines usually associated with aging. It can be scary getting back out there as a senior, but there are clear benefits to doing so.

Seniors seeking healthy aging tips should consider reconnecting with old friends or making new ones. When seniors make new friends or maintain regular contact with friends, they also tend to be more physically active. And keeping up with all the latest news (or gossip) from your friends can improve your memory because it's a cognitive challenge your brain needs.

A Healthy Diet For Healthy Aging

Spend any amount of time on this earth, and you've probably heard or tried various dieting plans. But dieting is out, and a healthy diet is in. They may sound like two sides of the same coin, but there's a real difference in approaches.

Dieting is usually a short-term, sometimes unhealthy, endeavor. Building a healthy diet is a long-term strategy for sustained health. Dieting restricts your food based on some quality of the food, while a healthy diet seeks to maximize the most beneficial foods. A great example of a healthy diet is the Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet is a delicious way to boost your heart health with healthy fats from fish and olive oil, fresh fruits, and whole grains. Lauded as one of the best diets in the world, it's now backed up by studies that show a lower risk of sudden cardiac mortality.

Aging fit takes more than a weekly workout, but it doesn't have to feel like work. All it takes is a YMCA membership to get started on your healthy aging journey.

YMCA Senior Programs Provide Total Support

With one membership to the YMCA of Western North Carolina, you can tap into a comprehensive hub for all things healthy aging. It starts with access to our fitness center, exercise classes, and member-led fitness groups, but doesn't end there. We also provide social events to build community and bolster mental health. And thanks to partnerships with organizations like Hopscotch Primary Care and Dementia Partners AVL, we offer wellness workshops and other events to get educated on your health needs.

Find 'Senior Exercise Classes Near Me' at the YMCA

Improve your health and fitness through a combination of exercise classes designed for seniors and healthy activities approachable for seniors. Whether you're looking for familiar passions or a new activity, we have an abundance of both at the YMCA of Western North Carolina. Here are just some of the senior fitness activities we have on offer:

• Mind-Body Workouts: Been searching for 'tai chi classes for seniors near me?' Well, search no more. Find balance both physically and mentally through guided tai chi classes, including Tai Chi for Arthritis and Balance. You can also participate in our Yoga for Osteoporosis classes for another low-impact but highly beneficial exercise class.
• Aquatics Classes: What's a YMCA without a pool? Take advantage of the full suite of our amenities while engaging in cardio-boosting classes that take the pressure off your joints. Enjoy classes like Fluid Movement to improve mobility and flexibility, led by expert trainers.
• Pickleball: Engage your competitive side and a full-body workout simultaneously, thanks to Pickleball at the YMCA. Find out why this sport is captivating the nation and people of all ages. Have fun, make new friends, and win a couple of matches, all included free in your YMCA membership.
• Healthy Aging Through Dance: Whatever your style or genre, we have upbeat dance classes for you. Experience the community that comes with line dancing or break out of your comfort zone with appropriately modified Zumba classes at the YMCA.

Build Lasting Bonds Through YMCA Senior Programs

At the YMCA of Western North Carolina, we have healthy aging events that don't require breaking a sweat. Explore new artistic interests with friends old and new, or find the support you need to cope with the challenges that come with age. When you come to the Y, you're coming home to community thanks to programs like these:

• Support Groups For Healthy Aging: We all suffer hardships in life, and we shouldn't feel like we have to go through these alone. The need for support is even greater for seniors who might be struggling with social isolation to begin with. Find support in group programs like Dementia Support group, Cancer Support, and Grief Support.
• Fun Learning Opportunities: Learning is a lifelong skill worth re-engaging with at the YMCA. Learn about great musicians, painting, or find balance through our relax and restore workshop.
• Join a Club: There's no better way to make friends than through a shared interest. Participate in our Book Club on the second Friday of each month to find your new favorite read while discussing it amongst friends. Or, join the Crafting Club on every fourth Tuesday. Whether you have a current project or want to learn a new craft, swing by and discover a new passion.
• Volunteer at the YMCA: Volunteering is a great way to make friends, find new interests, and make a difference in your community. Whether you want to make a welcoming environment for all at the Y or help feed your neighbors, there are volunteer opportunities at the YMCA of Western North Carolina made for you.

Get Educated on All Things Active Aging

Stay up to date on the latest developments in health, fitness, and active aging through expert-led workshops and classes at the YMCA of North Carolina. You can also take advantage of personalized coaching to get into the finer details. Build new knowledge and get tips on how to navigate the road ahead thanks to our educational programs:

• Expert Talks: Gain practical insights into common aging concerns from experts in the field. Learn about common pains, where they spring from, and how to prevent them. You can also participate in our Cancer Prevention Discussion to get your questions answered while getting an overview of the disease.
• Comprehensive Wellness: Address the nitty-gritty of healthy aging in a personalized one-on-one session with a health coach. With Health Coaching from the YMCA, you can learn more about healthy eating, your sleep needs, and what fitness programs are best for you.

How We Ensure Access for Seniors is Affordable

Our mission at the YMCA of Western North Carolina is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. We mean every word in that mission, including providing these programs for all in our community.

That means recognizing that many seniors in our Western North Carolina community are on fixed incomes that can put the programs they want out of reach. Some seniors may already know the great benefits that come with YMCA membership, but still have important questions before they join. Namely, 'how much to join YMCA for seniors?'

The answer to that question shouldn't be a barrier to becoming a member at the YMCA of Western North Carolina. That's why we've found ways to ensure seniors can enjoy all the benefits of a local membership at a cost they can afford. Through local partnerships and financial assistance programs, we enable more seniors in our community to enjoy the healthy benefits of YMCA senior programs.

YMCA Senior Discount Membership

As members, seniors get access to our fitness center, pools, and a plethora of free classes, programs, and activities. They also enjoy discounted rates for additional classes and programs that interest them. But what about a discounted rate on membership? Seniors can enjoy an automatic discount on their entire membership and possibly even more if they qualify for financial assistance.

Senior memberships at the YMCA come in either Senior Adult or Senior Household varieties. A Senior Household membership includes two seniors over 65 years old, while the Senior Adult is for one senior only. Seniors can access even deeper discounts when they sign up for a wellness plan and choose from either membership without any joining fees.

Thanks to the support of our volunteers, donors, and community supporters, we're also able to provide income-based rates on membership. Depending on your household size, membership type, and household income, you can pay as little as $35 per month for a membership. Estimate your affordable rate today using our income-based estimator!

How To Get A Free YMCA Membership For Seniors

Enjoy all the great benefits of a YMCA membership without any of the cost, thanks to partnerships with Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans that include monthly fitness club membership dues. So, how do these plans work?

The third-party payor plans through select Medicare Advantage plans grant access to the local centers that make up the YMCA of Western North Carolina. The plan pays for the cost of YMCA membership fees with no additional cost to the member, as long as the member checks into a YMCA of Western North Carolina monthly.

If you have Ambetter, FitOn, RenewActive, or a Silver&Fit Medicare Advantage plan, you may have access to a third-party payor plan at the YMCA. Explore your options and the benefits of a no-cost membership to the YMCA today!

Our Commitment to Welcoming & Supportive Environments

As a senior stepping into active aging, we want you to know that you won't be just a member at the YMCA, you'll belong here. Creating an environment that treats seniors with respect rather than neglect starts with our core values at the YMCA: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

These values are the life behind each program and drive every volunteer and employee at the YMCA. It's why we take the time to provide our volunteers and employees with training to create safe and supportive experiences for older adults.

We're also signed on to the AARP Employee Pledge because we believe in an equal opportunity for workers of all ages. That means when you step into the YMCA of Western North Carolina, you're surrounded by volunteers and staff who understand you and your needs because they've shared your experiences.

Beyond our core values is our YMCA of Western North Carolina Code of Conduct. As a senior, you shouldn't be made to feel less than any other member, and our code helps ensure that's the case. Every member and volunteer agrees to the code, providing a standard for how members and volunteers engage with one another and each other throughout our facilities and programs. There's no space for harassment or behavior that demeans another person, their culture, or their beliefs at our YMCA.

When you step into the YMCA of Western North Carolina, you'll find a supportive atmosphere committed to assisting your healthy aging.

How To Get Started Today

Why wait another day to commit to healthy aging? Here's how you can begin taking steps to improve your health while you age with the YMCA of Western North Carolina.

• Estimate your rate online or see if you qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan: If you aren't on one of the Medicare Advantage plans mentioned above, estimate your membership rate using our online tool to see how much you can save on your membership. If you do have a qualifying plan, follow the steps on this page for a third-party payor plan.
• Join Online or In-Person: After you've estimated your rate, continue signing up online or drop by one of our seven local locations to sign up in person. You'll be asked a few questions about yourself, including some basic contact information. You'll also create your online account to manage your plan going forward.
• Check Schedules: After you join, scan our schedule to find a program or class that interests you. If you find something that interests you, you can even sign up online.
• Enjoy Healthy Aging at the Y: Once you sign up, there's nothing else to do except arrive at your program and enjoy!

We all deserve a safe, healthy, supportive environment to improve our health and wellness. Find that environment at each and every center of the YMCA of North Carolina. It's our mission to help seniors like you build a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Join today to experience that mission in action.