PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - Norena Schofield has always liked to exercise.

But it’s better if she’s not doing it alone.

“I enjoy the camaraderie in the class,” said Schofield, a Parkersburg resident, prior to the start of a recent SilverSneakers class at the YMCA of Parkersburg. “To me, it makes exercise more enjoyable if you can have fun while doing it.”

Schofield is one of approximately 10,000 Wood and Washington County, Ohio, residents, age 65 and up, who is a member of SilverSneakers, a nationwide program aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for seniors. SilverSneakers provides access to more than 16,000 participating gyms and fitness locations through a number of Medicare Advantage plans. The program’s blog (www.silversneakers.com/blog) and Facebook page provide exercise videos, fitness tips and health information.

For a look at other services that can benefit senior citizens in the Mid-Ohio Valley, check out the special Senior Resource section in today’s edition.

Cocoa Boston learned about SilverSneakers eight years ago, when she received a notice about it from her insurance provider. She started attending a class at the Y and now is the instructor for the twice-a-week class that includes Schofield.

“I like the program. I think it’s good for older adults,” Boston said. “They encourage fitness, fun and friends.”

The social aspect is a key part of the program, as research shows staying socially connected and having a strong support system is important to quality of life.

The ladies in Boston’s class aren’t just there to chitchat. They warm up by walking and stretching before segueing to exercises with tools like weights, bands and a small ball. Each participant has a chair they can use in conjunction with their exercises and to allow everyone to go at their own pace.

Participants range in age from their 60s to 90-year-old Betty Houser.

“I love it,” Houser said of the class.

She said she started exercising about 15 years ago and has felt a positive effect on her health.

The basic SilverSneakers class is designed to increase muscle strength and range of motion. As people age, those attributes and others decline.

“With exercise, you can slow that process and actually improve processes in the body,” said Pat Perine, fitness and exercise coordinator for the Camden Clark Health and Wellness Center.

SilverSneakers members enjoy all the benefits and services of other Health and Wellness Center members, Perine said. There’s only one class specific to the program, which he said is pretty well attended, but a variety of activities are available to seniors.

The same is true at the Y, where Boston teaches Active Older Adults exercise classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. And seniors aren’t limited in which classes they can attend.

“Almost every one of our classes is modified in a way to include older adults,” said Jeff Olson, chief operating officer at the YMCA. “We reach people of all ages.”

Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected]

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Information from: News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, W.Va.), http://www.newsandsentinel.com

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