Cassville YMCA offers special Senior Expo Jan. 24
January 22, 2020
Charlea Estes-Jones
For older people in the Barry County community, it can be a challenge to be both active and social after leaving the workforce. The good news is that the Cassville YMCA has a mission to help fill that need. The Cassville YMCA will have a Senior Expo on Friday, January 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to showcase YMCA membership and offer a demo class for senior citizens. The event will include coffee, cookies and hot chocolate as well as vendors to discuss benefits of YMCA membership and classes offered.
Cassville YMCA director Rick Ragsdale explained the expo is to explain the benefits of YMCA membership and classes to area senior citizens. He said, "The YMCA offers programs that help older adults take control of their health through physical activity and social events. We have fitness programs suited especially to the older adult and help teach and model practices that will help keep you going strong so they can enjoy the best years of life."
While the YMCA offers the benefit of physical activity, it also includes a social component that is sometimes lacking for seniors once they leave the workforce. Often times, those who participate in the YMCA's senior-specific Silver Sneakers programs go for the exercise, but also the camaraderie.
This year's Senior Expo will include vendors to offer advice and also explain the benefits of YMCA membership for the older generation community. Ragsdale said, "Vendors include Johnson Chiropractic, Roark Family Health and Advanced Physical Therapy. They will be there to provide information to seniors about the importance and benefits of staying active, both physically and socially."
During the expo, there will also be a demo version of the YMCA's Silver Sneakers program. The class is movement and stretching oriented. Ragsdale said, "It focuses on moving the entire body with a little impact on limbs and joints. The class uses elastic bands, exercise balls, and small dumbbells. Modifiers are possible for people who cannot stand for long periods of time or for wheelchair bound participants."
Silver Sneakers classes are for ages 60 and up. Currently, that class is held at the Cassville facility on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. and on Mondays and Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For those more active, there are other classes available as well that are open to all ages. Ragsdale said, "Many of our seniors take advantage of our body toning, Zumba, and pilates, as well."
All of the offerings available for seniors, including explanation of classes, membership and pricing will be at the Senior Expo on Friday.
The current rate for a senior membership at the Cassville YMCA is $27 per month for a single senior and $37 a month for a senior couple. However, there are discounts available if that cost is too steep. Ragsdale said, "For most people that have Medicare, their insurance will pay for their membership through the Silver Sneakers program (Renew Active for United HealthCare). If their insurance plan does not or if they don’t have insurance, the YMCA can cover up to 80 percent of their costs through our impact campaign each year."
Ragsdale said they hope for big turnout at the event so area seniors can get a full grasp on the benefits of being a Y member. He continued, "We will coffee, cookies, and a whole lot of fun. We will also help answer questions about activities and member benefits."
The Cassville YMCA Senior Expo will be on Friday, January 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cassville YMCA facility.
For more informaiton about the Cassville YMCA, go online to www.orymca.org/cassville-ymca or call (417) 846-1535. For a schedule of classes, go to: www.orymca.org/cassville-group-exercise-schedule.
Charlea Estes-Jones
For older people in the Barry County community, it can be a challenge to be both active and social after leaving the workforce. The good news is that the Cassville YMCA has a mission to help fill that need. The Cassville YMCA will have a Senior Expo on Friday, January 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to showcase YMCA membership and offer a demo class for senior citizens. The event will include coffee, cookies and hot chocolate as well as vendors to discuss benefits of YMCA membership and classes offered.
Cassville YMCA director Rick Ragsdale explained the expo is to explain the benefits of YMCA membership and classes to area senior citizens. He said, "The YMCA offers programs that help older adults take control of their health through physical activity and social events. We have fitness programs suited especially to the older adult and help teach and model practices that will help keep you going strong so they can enjoy the best years of life."
While the YMCA offers the benefit of physical activity, it also includes a social component that is sometimes lacking for seniors once they leave the workforce. Often times, those who participate in the YMCA's senior-specific Silver Sneakers programs go for the exercise, but also the camaraderie.
This year's Senior Expo will include vendors to offer advice and also explain the benefits of YMCA membership for the older generation community. Ragsdale said, "Vendors include Johnson Chiropractic, Roark Family Health and Advanced Physical Therapy. They will be there to provide information to seniors about the importance and benefits of staying active, both physically and socially."
During the expo, there will also be a demo version of the YMCA's Silver Sneakers program. The class is movement and stretching oriented. Ragsdale said, "It focuses on moving the entire body with a little impact on limbs and joints. The class uses elastic bands, exercise balls, and small dumbbells. Modifiers are possible for people who cannot stand for long periods of time or for wheelchair bound participants."
Silver Sneakers classes are for ages 60 and up. Currently, that class is held at the Cassville facility on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. and on Mondays and Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For those more active, there are other classes available as well that are open to all ages. Ragsdale said, "Many of our seniors take advantage of our body toning, Zumba, and pilates, as well."
All of the offerings available for seniors, including explanation of classes, membership and pricing will be at the Senior Expo on Friday.
The current rate for a senior membership at the Cassville YMCA is $27 per month for a single senior and $37 a month for a senior couple. However, there are discounts available if that cost is too steep. Ragsdale said, "For most people that have Medicare, their insurance will pay for their membership through the Silver Sneakers program (Renew Active for United HealthCare). If their insurance plan does not or if they don’t have insurance, the YMCA can cover up to 80 percent of their costs through our impact campaign each year."
Ragsdale said they hope for big turnout at the event so area seniors can get a full grasp on the benefits of being a Y member. He continued, "We will coffee, cookies, and a whole lot of fun. We will also help answer questions about activities and member benefits."
The Cassville YMCA Senior Expo will be on Friday, January 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cassville YMCA facility.
For more informaiton about the Cassville YMCA, go online to www.orymca.org/cassville-ymca or call (417) 846-1535. For a schedule of classes, go to: www.orymca.org/cassville-group-exercise-schedule.
