Staying active as we age is more than just a health goal—it’s a path toward independence, confidence, and connection. That’s exactly what the EnhanceFitness program aims to do for older adults across the country. Let’s dive into how it works, why it’s effective, and why it might be a great option for your wellness journey. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬? EnhanceFitness is an evidence-based exercise program specifically designed for older adults at all fitness levels to help them stay active and reduce their risk of falls. According to ODPHP, it’s part of a spotlight series tied to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans that promotes ways to get older adults moving. Classes are led by certified instructors and offered in community settings—YMCAs, senior centers—and sometimes virtually. 𝐀 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐱 𝐨𝐟: - Aerobic movement - Strength training - Stretching - Balance exercises The pace is adjustable, allowing participants to go at their own level. About 60% of participants are age 70 or older, and more than 20% are 80+, showing the program is well used by folks in older age brackets. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝟏. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 & 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors. By working on balance, strength, and coordination, programs like EnhanceFitness can help reduce the risk of fall-related injuries. 𝟐. 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 & 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 - Improved physical functioning, walking, climbing stairs, and daily tasks become easier - Reduced symptoms of arthritis and joint pain - Lower rates of depression - Fewer unplanned hospital visits - Even reduced mortality rates in long-term follow-up studies The program is recognized by the CDC as an “Arthritis-Appropriate, Evidence-Based Intervention,” meaning it is proven to safely help older adults with chronic conditions. 𝟑. 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 Exercise in a class setting does more than move the body—it connects people. EnhanceFitness often encourages early arrival or time before the class starts for socializing. Participants frequently refer to their class groups as a “fitness family.”

Growing older brings wisdom, new experiences, and opportunities to thrive—but it also comes with challenges. The good news is that healthy aging doesn’t have to be complicated. By making a few intentional choices each day, you can strengthen your body, nurture your mind, and stay connected to the people and activities that matter most. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) highlights key areas that can help seniors 65+ live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Here are some of the most important steps you can start today: 𝟏. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 🚶‍♀️💪 Staying active is one of the best ways to maintain independence as you age. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week—walking, gardening, swimming, or dancing all count. Add in simple strength and balance exercises to protect your bones, muscles, and joints. Even 10 minutes at a time can make a big difference in keeping you steady on your feet and lowering your risk of falls. 𝟐. 𝐄𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 🥗 Your body’s nutritional needs change with age. Focus on meals rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and calcium-packed foods for strong bones. Staying hydrated is just as important—older adults sometimes don’t feel as thirsty, so make water part of your routine. Eating well boosts your energy, sharpens your memory, and supports a healthy immune system. 𝟑. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 💵 Wellness isn’t just physical—it’s also financial. Managing money wisely helps reduce stress and gives you peace of mind. Take advantage of benefits programs designed for older adults, like Medicare savings, food assistance, or prescription support. A little planning can free up resources for the activities and health services that keep you thriving. 𝟒. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 🤝❤️ Loneliness can impact both mental and physical health. Make time to connect with friends, family, or groups like our Age Well Network. Volunteer, join a class, or simply pick up the phone for a chat. Strong social connections protect against depression, improve brain health, and bring more joy to everyday life.

Falls are more than just accidents. They can lead to serious injuries, hospital stays, and a loss of confidence. For adults aged 65 and older, more than a quarter fall each year, and millions end up in emergency departments because of fall-related injuries. The good news is that there are simple, effective exercises and strategies that can significantly reduce risk and help you stay mobile, safe, and independent. Here’s what you need to know, and how to build strength and balance into your daily routine. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 Understanding what contributes to falls helps you know where to focus: - Changes in balance or walking ability, which can be affected by eyesight decline, inner-ear issues, or reduced feeling in the feet - Taking multiple medications, especially when someone is on five or more different prescriptions - Hazards at home, such as dim lighting, loose rugs, clutter, or anything you can trip over - Problems with footwear or foot posture, as well as sudden drops in blood pressure when standing 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 Here are two exercises that are especially helpful for lowering fall risk: - 𝐒𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 - This strengthens your leg muscles and improves mechanics when moving between sitting and standing. To do it:• Sit in a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor. Keep something stable in front of you, like a countertop, if you need balance support.• Scoot forward so you are near the edge of the seat. Lean forward slightly and use your glute muscles to stand up slowly. Then sit down carefully.• Repeat 10 times, twice a day. Add light hand weights for more resistance if comfortable. - 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 - These help improve steadiness and body awareness. Start with easier positions and progress as you gain confidence. Examples include:• Standing with feet shoulder-width apart and eyes open. Hold for 10 seconds and build up to 30 seconds.• Standing with feet together, then moving to a single-leg stance once steady.• Repeating each position several times, twice a day.

As we journey through life, maintaining our health and vitality becomes increasingly important. Recent studies have shed light on various factors influencing healthy aging, offering valuable insights into how we can enhance our well-being as we age. 🧬 𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐓𝐋𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 Researchers at UCSF have identified a protein called FTL1 that plays a significant role in brain aging. In studies with mice, elevated levels of FTL1 were associated with memory loss and weakened brain cell connections. Interestingly, reducing FTL1 levels led to improved brain function and sharper memory. This discovery suggests that targeting FTL1 could be a potential strategy for reversing cognitive decline. 🕒 𝟐. 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 A study from Mass General Brigham has found that the timing of breakfast may be linked to longevity. Older adults who ate breakfast later in the day were more likely to experience depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, and had an increased risk of mortality. This highlights the importance of maintaining consistent meal timings for overall health. 🧪 𝟑. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 Research from the UK Biobank has revealed that hidden fat around internal organs, known as visceral fat, can accelerate heart aging. This type of fat contributes to inflammation and stiffening of the heart, even in physically active individuals. Interestingly, fat stored around the hips and thighs may offer protective benefits, especially in women. 🧠 𝟒. 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 A groundbreaking pilot study in NHS dementia wards is utilizing live music therapy, known as MELODIC, to alleviate patient distress without relying on medications. This innovative approach offers a promising alternative for managing cognitive decline in older adults. 🧬 𝟓. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 The CIAO study, conducted in the Cilento region of Italy, has been examining the factors contributing to healthy aging and extreme longevity. Preliminary findings suggest that a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors, including robust microcirculation and low levels of the peptide hormone adrenomedullin, may play a role in promoting longevity.

As we age, mental health challenges such as depression, grief, and isolation can become more prevalent. Recognizing this, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital has launched the Senior Life Solutions program, a specialized initiative designed to support seniors facing these challenges. - 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 The Senior Life Solutions program, established in May 2025, offers a structured outpatient therapy setting tailored for adults aged 55 and older. The program provides a combination of group therapy, individual counseling, and medication management, all under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team including social workers, nurses, and psychiatrists. Sessions are held up to four days a week, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and include lunch. Participants can attend based on their individual needs and schedules, with the program typically spanning approximately 45 days. - 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 Understanding that aging brings about various physical, emotional, and social changes, the program focuses on equipping seniors with coping strategies to navigate these transitions. Topics covered in the sessions include grief, nutrition, exercise, and community resources. The goal is to provide tools that help seniors manage the daily adjustments they face, fostering a sense of support and community. - 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 The Senior Life Solutions program is accessible to seniors through self-referrals, family members, or medical professionals. It is covered by Medicare and many Medicare Advantage plans, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent seniors from seeking the help they need. Additionally, the program coordinates with participants' primary care physicians to provide comprehensive care that addresses both mental and physical health needs. - 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 By offering a program specifically tailored to the mental health needs of seniors, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital is addressing a critical gap in healthcare services. The Senior Life Solutions program not only provides therapeutic support but also fosters a sense of community among participants, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall well-being.