Page 6 - 2019 Annual Report YMCA of the Suncoast

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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
STRENGTHENING
OUR COMMUNITY
The YMCA of the Suncoast improves the community’s health and well-being by providing programs and activities that promote wellness, reduce risk for chronic disease and helps manage and reclaim health.
In 2019, the Y expanded healthy living programs to help community members navigate through Parkinson’s disease. Pedaling for Parkinson’s uses high-cadence cycling to forestall disease progression, alleviate symptoms and help reduce medication. This free program is backed by scientific research from the Cleveland Clinic showing participants who ride three days a week over eight weeks find improvement in their symptoms by as much as 35 percent through the simple act of fast pedaling.
The Y continues its success with other Chronic Disease Prevention programs such as high blood pressure monitoring and the Y’s Diabetes Prevention Program, which has been shown to reduce the number of cases of Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and 71 percent in individuals over age 60.
Research shows working out your brain and body will lead to longer and fuller lives. This fact drives many seniors to better their mind, body and spirit through the Y’s Healthy Aging programs. From group exercise to yoga, water aerobics and potlucks – active older adults
are reaping physical benefits while building relationships, increasing their self-confidence and sense of achievement.
The Y offers evidence-based programs to help adults Reclaim Health because a cancer or arthritis diagnosis can happen to anyone, even those who live the healthiest lifestyles. The symptoms and treatment of such life-changing diseases can take tremendous physical and emotional tolls. In addition to being designated by the CDC as a Falls Prevention Program, Enhance®Fitness has been proven to improve quality of life for those with arthritis through low-impact exercise that energizes and empowers senior to live independent lifestyles. It’s provided at no cost to participants thanks to a federal grant, in partnership with BayCare Health System. Also free to the community is LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a 12-week program helping adult cancer survivors regain their strength, while focusing on the emotional well- being of survivors and their families, creating
a supportive network during treatment and beyond.
HEALTHY LIVING