Yates Office for Aging Health and Wellness Programs
Yates OFA Health and Wellness programs empower seniors to thrive after 60 by supporting their nutrition, strength, mobility, socialization, civic engagement and access to community resources.
Nutrition Services Please visit the Nutrition section of the Website to learn more about Yates OFA Nutrition programs.
Transportation A lack of transportation can prevent people from attending important appointments, doing errands, shopping for necessities, and enjoying healthy and fun activities. Yates OFA doesn’t want anyone to miss out on these important aspects of daily living simply because they lack transportation. That’s why we offer trips for medical appointments (in and out of Yates County), as well as social trips for shopping, errands, special events, etc..
Bone Builders Many factors make the risk of falling higher for people as they grow older. These risk factors can be addressed, though. One prevention tactic is exercise, and the Bone Builders program is actually based on research from Tufts University about the risks of falling and the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid it. In this program, groups meet twice per week for one hour, 12 months per year. During each one hour session, participants begin with a 5-minute warm-up, proceed to a series of strength and resistance exercises (which everyone can modify to their level of comfort/ability), and end with a 5-minute cool-down period of gentle stretching. Bone Builders is also offered in Steuben County. Contact the Pro Action Bone Builders Coordinator at 607-776-2125 for more information.
Tai Chi Tai Chi is an effective exercise for healthy mind and body. Exercise is known to benefit most aspects of health and is recognized as an essential part of the management of arthritis. This is a safe and effective exercise program for a variety of conditions and capabilities. It promotes flexibility, strength, stamina, posture, balance, and mind-body techniques. In this program, groups meet twice per week for one hour for 12 weeks. During each one-hour session, participants begin with 10 minutes of warn up, proceed to 12 movements (learned gradually over the 12 weeks) and then 10 minutes of cool down exercises. This program can be modified to any level of ability. This program has been approved by the Arthritis Foundation.
Eat Better Move More This program is an evidence-based program designed to fit the needs and interests of older adults who want to maintain or enhance their quality of life and independence and live longer and better lives. By the end of the program participants should be regularly meeting the nutrition goals of increasing their daily servings of fruits and vegetables, fiber and calcium. You will learn how to eat more sensible food portions for a healthy weight. Participants will also work towards achieving 30 minutes of physical activity per day on most if not all days of the week. This is a 12 week program that will combine 30 minutes of nutrition education and 30 minutes of walking using step counters to gauge progress.
Healthy Living Programs These are a evidence-based self-management programs for people with chronic health problems or chronic pain. Topics covered in the programs include: *Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation. *Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance. *Appropriate use of medications. *Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals. *How to evaluate new treatment. These program will not conflict with existing programs or treatments. They are designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education. Many people have more than one chronic health condition and chronic pain and these programs are especially helpful as they provide skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. These classes are once a week for 6 weeks and is 2 1/2 hours long. Healthy snacks are provided at each class.
Walk with Ease Walk with Ease is an evidence-based program that has been proven to help people with arthritis or other related conditions reduce pain, increase balance, strength and walking pace and improve overall health. This program will help show you can be physically active and make physical activity part of your everyday life. You will develop and implement a personal walking plan for maintaining a long-term exercise routine. This program is developed by the Arthritis Foundation.
Personal Emergency Response Program With certain precautions in place, everyone can feel safe and secure while living independently. One wise safety precaution is to have a way to get help in an emergency, even if you are alone and can’t get to the phone. OFA’s Personal Emergency Response Program provides a device to wear that allows the wearer to call for emergency assistance with the push of a button.
Project Lifesaver The ability to instantly know the location of a loved one who has a tendency to wander gives families the precious gift of peace of mind. Through the Project Lifesaver individuals who have a tendency to wander receive a water-resistant, personalized wristband transmitter that emits a unique tracking signal every second, 24 hours a day.
Phone Friends (Telephone Reassurance) Hearing a friendly voice can make the day of someone who lives alone with little opportunity to get out of the house. Phone Friends provides regular phone calls to home-bound seniors to check on well-being and to encourage social interaction.
