No matter where you live as you grow older, staying safe and healthy will help you age with dignity. At Senior Solutions, we know that wellness involves nourishing your physical, emotional, intellectual, and creative needs, and we are committed to supporting programming that does just that.
Tai Chi for Fall Prevention
Are you worried about falling? The fear of falling often results in more falls; hence, confidence in “not falling” helps reduce these incidents. Tai Chi is a gentle movement exercise that improves balance by strengthening muscles and coordination; simultaneously, it strengthens the mind, enhancing calmness and confidence in not falling. Thus, with regular practice, tai chi is a highly effective exercise for fall prevention.
Classes to improve balance and prevent falls are held throughout our service area, and are even available by Zoom, which means that you can try this in the safety and comfort of your own home. For more information on Tai Chi for Fall Prevention, please call the HelpLine at 802-885-2669.
Walk With Ease
Walk with Ease is an evidence-based Wellness Program that uses the simple activity of walking to improve health and well-being. Walking is an excellent and simple form of exercise that’s good for nearly everyone, from absolute beginners to people who have been active for years. Many of our participants have used walking sticks, canes, walkers, or other assistive devices. Walk with Ease simply helps you to make walking a more formal lifestyle, and helps you along the way in a manner that is appropriate for you!
Program Elements
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- Participants agree to undertake a 6-week walking regimen, walking three times a week. This can be as little as 10 minutes, or as much as 30 minutes. We walk together as a group once a week, and then you pledge to walk twice more before the next session.
- Participants get the most out of the program when they record their activities, as well as measurable walking progress (such as time or distance), to see their progress over the six-week period.
- Each week includes a brief (5 to 10 minutes) lesson examining some aspect of walking, such as joint health, proper breathing, stretching, joint pain, and walking.
- All participants receive a 175-page book detailing the program and including all forms for recording progress, at no cost.
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Bone Builders
The RSVP Bone Builders Osteoporosis Prevention and Reversal Program is an effective combination of weight bearing, balance and stretching exercises, with nutritional information, and support for all stages of osteoporosis. Originally developed from the Strong Living Program of Tufts University, Bone Builders is a free, ongoing program open to all those with concerns about osteoporosis. Classes include standing and sitting exercises, using hand weights and ankle weights for resistance training.
Upper Valley Aquatic Center
UVAC in White River Junction offers several programs to benefit older adults, including Free Senior Friday from 9-11am on Fridays, NeuroKinetic Therapy® (NKT) for chronic pain and injury, 60/60 Physical Therapy Transition Program, and Well & Fit at UVAC for people who are sedentary, have physical impairments, or chronic pain and want to get active.
Creative Aging 
Creativity is for everyone, including older adults! Whether you have been a lifelong artist, are returning to creative activities after a hiatus during your career, or are brand new to developing creative skills, Senior Solutions recognizes creative aging as an integral part of healthy aging.
Humans have an innate desire for expression and creation. Arts projects help us communicate the human experience in fun, meaningful, and impactful ways. Sharing our creative work is a great way to connect with others and build new connections. The arts can also help people achieve a sense of purpose and personal growth and can have a positive impact on social, emotional, mental, and physical health
Classes begin in February 2024. There will be classes in the morning and afternoon, as well as a free community lunch between sessions. For further info, call our HelpLine or visit Main Street Arts.
“In Our Voices – Long Term Survivors Speak Out” 
Those who were in their twenties when the AIDS crisis began in the 1980s are now in their sixties. Medical advances have made it possible to live long, fulfilling lives for those who are HIV+; in fact, a majority of Americans who are HIV+ are now aged 55 or older. Many of these “long-term survivors” live at the intersection of stigma from a feared disease, ageism, and living as a gender and/or sexual minority.
Through a generous 2023 grant by the Vermont Community Foundation, Senior Solutions will be developing programming to address the unique issues faced by this growing senior community.
Working with Main Street Arts of Saxtons River and their roster of affiliated artists, we will initiate a special expressive arts project in early 2024 designed especially for long-term HIV survivors. In June 2024, we expect to present a public program where their work will be presented at a celebratory event. For further info or to get involved, call our HelpLine at 802-885-2669 and ask to be connected with Thom.
Exercise Tips
The National Institute on Aging has lots of ideas and resources to help you exercise. Even if you have limitations, you can probably find something that will work for you.
