HEALTHY LIVING
Together we are tackling our communities greatest health challenges and improving quality of life.
Our nation is struggling with the rise of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer and other conditions. The Y is dedicated to helping people understand their risks, and we provide the support they need to prevent chronic disease, improve mobility and maintain healthy habits in their everyday lives. We provide programs that change the outcome for people facing significant health challenges and improve quality of life for our whole community.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these are just a few of the ways we tackle our community's greatest health challenges and improve quality of life across the Kishwaukee Family YMCA's footprint:
ENHANCE FITNESS
EnhanceFitness is a proven community based senior fitness and arthritis management program. Its purpose is to help older adults become more active, energized, and empowered for independent living. EnhanceFitness has been nationally recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Administration on Aging and the National Council on Aging.
The program consists of low impact exercise classes that are safe and challenging for older adults of all fitness levels.
SWIMMING LESSONS
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-14.
The YMCA is a leader in swim instruction and water safety. YMCA aquatics programs are designed to teach personal water safety and swimming skills to everyone.
Classes arrange swimmers broadly into age groups and then by skill level as kids progress through the instruction program. Our progressive-swim instruction method uses a problem-solving, guided-discovery teaching approach in a positive, caring environment. In 2014, more than 1,335 kids participated in Y swim lessons and other aquatics programs to help them be confident & safe around water. 122 of the 1,335 children were provided swimming lessons FREE of charge.
DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
The scope of the diabetes epidemic is alarming. Nearly 30 million americans have diabetes. Another 86 million americans have prediabetes - and only 10 persont of them know they have it. The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program employs a lifestyle intervention program.
The Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults take steps to reduce their risk for developing the disease. The program is based on National Institutes of Health research that shows a modest weight loss (5-7 percent) and increased physical activity (up to 150 minutes per week) can reduce the number of cases of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent for roughly 75 percent less than the cost of similar programs delivered in health care settings.