Westchester County NY Government

Westchester seniors will be able to learn tai chi, yoga, dance, low-impact aerobics and how to develop a healthier lifestyle at the 18th annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 25 at locations throughout the county. Activities are scheduled at 17 locations throughout the county with reservations required for most events.

The theme for this year’s nationwide event is “Make Fitness a Goal for Life.” All the sessions at 17 locations -- which include community centers, nutrition sites and adult day-care programs -- are free and open to county residents who are 60 years or older. In some places, however, seniors must live in a specific community to take part.

Other activities will include cooking demonstrations, gardening, blood-pressure screening, strength training and safety education. For more information including times, what activities will take place at specific locations and to sign up, please see the list of sites, below.

National Senior Health and Fitness Day is a public/private partnership of the Mature Market Resource Center, a national information clearinghouse for the older adult market.

Locally, the day is organized by Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) and its Health and Wellness Coalition, which is composed of some 20 community organizations.

DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said exercise is essential if seniors want to be healthy and independent.

“Senior Health and Fitness Day gives seniors a chance to experience some appropriate and enjoyable forms of exercise,” Carpenter said. “Being physically fit is important at any age. Not only does exercise help you to feel well, but it can alleviate conditions such as depression. It can also help to prevent falls. I encourage all seniors to take part.”

The number of activities at each location vary but most have physical exercise and educational components. At the Burke Smart Fitness Center in White Plains, the program includes a presentation about brain fitness as well as Zumba exercises and tai chi. A pharmacist will also be on hand to check participants’ medications.

Another example of mixed activities will take place at The Armory in Mount Vernon, which will feature a cooking demonstration and the opportunity to try Silver Sneakers exercises for older adults.

Seniors at the Port Chester Senior and Community Center can enjoy a gardening project and a cooking demonstration while there will be Medicare updates and a talk about fall prevention at the WESTMED Medical Group in White Plains.

Two locations in New Rochelle are taking part in National Senior Health and Fitness Day. At the Hugh Doyle Senior Center, there will be free-style dance instruction. Garito Manor will offer a walking program followed by blood-pressure screenings.

A program for Spanish-speaking seniors who live in Yonkers will take place at GuildCare in Yonkers.

Participating locations are as follows: