Regional YMCA and Danbury Library team up for Health and Fitness Series for Seniors

The Danbury Library is pleased to announce their collaboration with the Regional YMCA of Western CT to offer an innovative ten-week health and wellness program to individuals 55 and over.

 The Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) was developed by the National Council on Aging, coordinated in Connecticut by Connecticut Community Care and sponsored in part by the Connecticut Community Foundation. It has proven success at helping older adults build their own playbook for aging well. The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut was one of ten organizations in Connecticut selected to offer AMP.

The Aging Mastery Program® provides older adults in Greater Danbury a wonderful opportunity to participate in and reap the benefits of a cutting-edge national wellness program.  

“We are happy to hear that the Aging Mastery Program® is available to residents in our state,” said Elizabeth Ritter, Commissioner, Connecticut State Department on Aging.  “The program encourages the mastery of behaviors that will lead to improved health, stronger financial security, and overall well-being.  It provides a great opportunity to learn new pathways that encourage ongoing and positive engagement in life.”

AMP is a fun, innovative, and person-centered education program that empowers participants to embrace their gift of longevity by spending more time each day doing things that are good for themselves and for others. The program encourages mastery-developing sustainable behaviors across many dimensions that lead to improved health, stronger economic security, enhanced well-being, and increased societal participation.

The weekly classes will be conducted on Thursdays from 11am - 12:30pm starting on February 15th and they'll explore navigating longer lives, physical activity, sleep, healthy eating and hydration, financial fitness, medication management, advanced planning, healthy relationships, falls prevention, and community engagement.  For each of the classes, basic educational materials developed by highly trusted sources are provided, along with a checklist of potential next steps and a system for tracking behaviors.  Participants will each receive a curriculum guide and earn points for positive actions and rewards.  Healthy snacks will also be provided. 

Partial funding support for this series is provided by the FRIENDS of the Danbury Library.  

Spaces are limited and registration is required online at danburylibrary.org, click on "Events" then "Events/Programs" or call 203-797-4505, opt. 3.  For more details about the program content, contact Maureen Farrell, YMCA Community Wellness Director at 203-740-3432, x 236.