Our Impact » Success Stories » Allegany County Growing Stronger

Growing Stronger program keeps seniors in balance Senior Fitness is the key to Growing Stronger Allegany County. Based on Tuft’s University’s Growing Stronger curriculum, one-hour strength training sessions occur two times per week at ten sites across Allegany County. 

Strength training is an important activity for everyone. The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans or 55 percent of the people 50 years-of-age and older. In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Allegany County Growing Stronger is an initiative started in 2005 by the Wellness & Prevention Committee of the Community Partnership on Aging; a collaboration of health and human service organizations, community members and governmental agencies. Its purpose is to help combat the health issues that often affect seniors; including osteoporosis. The program is endorsed by the Arthritis Association and the Osteoporosis Prevention Association. 

 Participating in the Growing Stronger program can help reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic diseases such as arthritis and improves the ability to stay in balance which will help reduce seniors’ risk of falling. 

Can you be too old to start such a program? Never!  Allegany County residents as old as 104 have achieved success from participating in Growing Stronger. Participants 55 years-of-age and older are encouraged to join the program.    

New participants are welcome at anytime but must complete a New Participant Registration Packet prior to enrolling in the class. If you are interested in participating in the FREE Growing Stronger Program, please review the schedule below to identity the class that best meets your needs:   

As an added benefit, program incentives are awarded to participants through a point-based system. Participants earn one point each time he/she completes the following; attends class, increases weight(s), brings a friend to class, attends a health and/or wellness workshop, has monthly perfect attendance, completes annual self-assessment, and/or participates in the annual Senior Fitness Test. Incentive Points are accumulated throughout the year and then tallied in September. Growing Stronger participants then have the opportunity to redeem their points for wellness prizes. In October of each year, participants are invited to attend the Senior Gala hosted in Allegany County. Refreshments, entertainment and an awards ceremony provide each participant an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and receive recognition.   

Thank you to the Allegany County United Way for continuously co-sponsoring the Growing Stronger program. With the support of United Way, the Growing Stronger program has expanded and continues to grow across Allegany County.