The YMCA Silver Sneakers program held at the East Ridge Community Center gives seniors a place to stay active and keep their bodies healthy.
“They are so precious to me,” said instructor Pat Snowden, who lives in Catoosa County. “They love it. They don’t miss. They’re consistent.”
Snowden said after the Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., YMCA closed in April the East Ridge site was chosen for the Silver Sneakers program as a halfway point between Fort Oglethorpe and the Eastgate YMCA.
IF YOU GOSilver Sneakers classes at the East Ridge Community Center, 1517 Tombras Avenue, are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.East Ridge officials say that East Ridge residents may participate for free.Other Tennessee residents may be eligible to attend through their health care providers, including AARP MedicareComplete from SecureHorizons, AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, Amerigroup, HealthSpring and Humana.Georgia residents may be eligible to attend through their health care providers, including AARP MedicareComplete from SecureHorizons, AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia, HealthSpring, Humana, Southeast Community Care and WellCare of Georgia.For more information call the East Ridge Community Center at 867-6406.
Snowden leads seniors through 45 to 50 minutes of up-and-down and side-to-side exercises with a chair, resistance band and bouncy ball.
“It works every muscle and bone in their body from head to toe,” she said, explaining that with regular attendance, her pupils maintain above-average flexibility, strength and balance.
“It helps your circulation, your heart, whatever,” said East Ridge resident Joyce Delaney, a member of the Henry Family YMCA at Eastgate who attends Senior Sneakers classes three times a week.
East Ridge resident Rell Metcalf is not a YMCA member, but he said his HealthSpring Medicare Advantage coordinated care insurance plan pays for the classes.
“It makes you feel as young as she is,” Metcalf said, speaking of Snowden.