Health & Wellness
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Health & Wellness Programs work to help older people live healthier lives. They aim to improve quality of life and lower overall healthcare costs.
The goals of these programs are to:
- Show that getting older does not always mean you have to decline in health.
- Give older adults the information they need to stay healthy as they age.
- Help older adults make lifestyle changes to improve their health.
- Reduce the need for medical visits.
Local Area Agencies on Aging run these evidence-based programs across Pennsylvania, offering various ways for older adults to manage their own health:
- Chronic conditions (diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain, etc.)
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Mental health
- Medication Management
- Injury and disease prevention
- Substance Use Disorder
Department endorsed Health and Wellness evidenced-based programs can be found on the Aging Programs Calendar.
Endorsed Programs:
- Aging Well with HIV – A Self-management Program
- Cancer: Thriving and Surviving – A Self-management Program
- Chronic Disease Self-management Program
- Chronic Pain Self-management Program
- Diabetes Self-management Workshop
- Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression & Empowering Activities for Seniors) Program
- Healthy Steps for Older Adults – Fall Prevention Workshop for Older Adults
- Healthy Steps in Motion – Strength, Balance and Exercise Program for Older Adults
Additional evidence-based programs are available. Schedule and availabilty vary by location.
Additional Evidence-Based Programs by Category
The following evidence-based programs are available based on location and are provided for adults 60 years and older. If interested in a program, please reach out directly to your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Find your AAA.
Active Living Every Day (ALED)
ALED is a behavior change program that helps participants overcome their barriers to physical activity and make positive changes that improve their health and well-being. Participants will learn to set goals and find activities they enjoy.
Program Details:
- 12 week class
- Incorporates short lecture and group discussion
- Participants choose their own activities and create plans based on their lifestyle and personal preferences, focusing on moderate-intensity activities that can be added to daily routines.
- Book and optional online tools offer structure and support as participants explore their options and begin to realize how enjoyable physical activity can be. As participants work through the course, they learn lifestyle management skills and build on small successes
- Learn more about Active Living Every Day.
Enhance Wellness
Enhance Wellness is meant to improve activities of daily living for older adults living with or without a disability. The program offers a promising strategy for limiting or reversing functional decline in older adults living with a disability.
Program Details:
- The program is individual, participant-centered motivational intervention with proven results based on three steps: screen, plan, action.
- The screen identifies personal strengths and risks. Together, an Enhance Wellness team member and the participant review a detailed health questionnaire.
- The plan focuses on areas the participant chooses to work on. This plan is also shared with the participant’s physician.
- The participant then moves into action with the support of a health professional and/or volunteer health mentor, who offer ongoing encouragement, feedback, and monitoring. The team helps with problem solving, health education and referral to support groups and additional services, including individual and family counseling, if indicated.
- Learn more about Enhance Wellness.
Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder (MOM)
Provide women with the tools they need to take control of bowel and bladder leakage.
Program Details:
- Three sessions each lasting two hours, every other week for one month
- 6 to 14 participants
- Learn more about Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder.
National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP)
NDPP aims to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Program Details:
- 16 weekly core sessions, 1 hour per session
- Six monthly post-core sessions
- 12 to 15 participants
- Focuses on long-lasting lifestyle changes including improved nutrition, increased physical activity, stress reduction and coping strategies
- Goal is minimum 5% loss of bodyweight to lower risk for developing Type 2 diabetes
- Increase physical activity to 150 minutes of moderate physical activity
- Structured group activities with Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved curriculum
- Group discussion and support, problem solving, skill building, videos, and sharing practical solutions
- Weight and minutes of physical activity recorded weekly
- Learn more about National Diabetes Prevention Program.
A Matter of Balance (MOB)
MOB aims to reduce fall risk and fear of falling by promoting physical activity and self-management.
Program Details:
- Eight weekly or twice weekly sessions, 2 hours per session
- 8 to 12 participants per group
- Provide practical coping strategies to reduce fear of falling and teach fall prevention strategies
- Structured group activities
- Group discussion, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, videos, sharing practical solutions and exercise training
- Learn more about A Matter of Balance.
Bingocize®
Bingocize® aims to improve functional performance including lower/upper body strength, gait, balance and range of motion.
Program Details:
- Ten week health promotion program that strategically combines the fun game of bingo with exercise and falls prevention education.
- Designed to increase functional performance, health knowledge, cognition, and social engagement of older adults in a variety of settings
- One hour sessions, twice a week, led by certified leaders in licensed facilities
- An optional mobile app version is also available as an add on; Use mobile devices to play Bingocize®; includes educational modules to help teach older adults about falls prevention and other health education topics
- Learn more about Bingocize®.
Enhance Fitness
Enhance Fitness is a group physical activity program that aims to help older adults at all levels of fitness become more active, energized, and empowered to sustain independent lives and prevent functional decline.
Program Details:
- The program includes one hour classes that are held two or three times per week in a variety of settings.
- Learn more about Enhance Fitness.
FallScape
FallsScape aims to increase falls prevention behaviors and self-management skills.
Program Details:
- A one to six month personalized program delivered in two one-on-one sessions
- Improve knowledge of fall threats including personal traits and situations that could cause a fall
- Fall threat recognition and prevention knowledge
- Prevent and reduce falls and falls risk
- Learn more about FallScape.
FallsTalk
FallsTalk aims to increase falls prevention behaviors and self-management skills.
Program Details:
- Improve knowledge of fall threats including personal traits and situations that could cause a fall
- Prevent participant falls and reduce fall risk
- Learn more about FallsTalk.
Fit and Strong!
Fit and Strong! aims to incorporate appropriate exercises into the lives of participants.
Program Details:
- Program offered in 90 minute sessions, three times per week for eight weeks
- A physical activity and behavior change program for older adults with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in their lower extremities
- Improve function and increase physical activity
- Reduce arthritis symptoms
- Learn more about Fit and Strong!
On The Move (OTM)
OTM aims to improve and maintain mobility so participants can move more easily in daily activities and decrease their risk for a disability.
Program Details:
- OTM is a group-based exercise program for older adults designed to target key principles of the biomechanics and motor control of walking.
- The classes are two times per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 24 classes. Each class lasts approximately 50-60 minutes.
- The program contains a warm-up, stepping patterns, walking patterns, strengthening exercises, and cool- down exercises.
- Learn more about On The Move.
Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)
SAIL is a physical activity program that aims to reduce fall risk factors by increasing strength and improving balance.
Program Details:
- An on-going class that meets three times per week for one hour.
- Each class includes warm-up, aerobics, balance activities, strengthening and stretching and educational components. Exercises that can be done seated or standing.
- Periodic Fitness Checks are used to check general mobility, arm strength, and leg strength.
- Education to prevent falls by addressing fall risk factors
- Learn more about Stay Active and Independent for Life.
Stepping On
Stepping On offers strategies and exercises to reduce falls and increase self-confidence in making decisions and changes to situations where older adults are at risk of falling.
Program Details:
- Seven weeks, two hours per week, followed by a post-program two hour booster session after three months
- A home visit or follow-up phone call by the program leader to help with follow through, share preventive strategies and to assist with home adaptations
- Learn more about Stepping On.
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Tai Chi for Arthritis is meant to improve movement, balance, strength, flexibility, and relaxation, decrease pain and the risk of falls.
Program Details:
- Eight to ten week program, one to two times per week, 45-60 minute classes
- For adults with or without arthritis, rheumatic diseases or related musculoskeletal conditions.
- Appropriate for people with mild, moderate and severe joint and back pain.
- Learn more about Tai Chi for Arthritis.
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance aims to improve balance, strength and physical performance for older adults to reduce risk of falls.
Program Details:
- 24 to 26 week program, three classes a week, one hour classes
- Includes eight Tai Chi forms that focus on weight shifting, postural alignment, coordinated movements and synchronized breathing
- Slow, low-impact movements that progress from easy to more difficult
- Learn more about Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance.
The Otago Exercise Program
The Otago Exercise Program aims to increase strength, balance, and endurance through lifestyle change and training.
Program Details:
- Physical Therapist (PT) visits four to five times over eight weeks
- Monthly phone calls for a year and option for follow up visits at six, nine, and 12 months
- PT evaluates the older adult and selects the most appropriate exercises from the 17 recommended options
- Exercises are progressed to challenge the older adult as they improve strength and balance.
- Prescribed exercises, including walking, can be done in the home independently or with assistance, or in a group exercise settings.
- Learn more about The Otago Exercise Program.
Walk with Ease
Walk with Ease aims to reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis, increase balance and strength.
Program Details:
- Arthritis Foundation six week walking program offered three days/week, one hour classes
- Focus on improving physical activity level, increasing balance, strength and walking pace, reducing the pain of arthritis, and improving overall health
- Work to increase your walking pace and build confidence in your ability to be physically active
- Learn more about Walk with Ease.
AEA Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP)
AFAP aims to improve the overall sense of well-being, reduce pain and inflamation, and increase social interaction in a fun, safe and effective way.
Program Details:
- Warm water exercise program suitable for every fitness level, shown to reduce pain, and improve overall health. Exercises include range of motion, muscle strengthening, socialization activities and an optional moderate intensity aerobic component.
- Learn more about AEA Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program.
AEA Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP)
AFEP aims to improve the overall sense of well-being, reduce pain and inflamation, and increase social interaction in a fun, safe and effective way.
Program Details:
- Low-impact physical activity program proven to reduce pain and decrease stiffness. The sessions include gentle range-of-motion exercises that are suitable for every fitness level and ability. Led by a trained program leader, these enjoyable and motivational classes may be taken either standing or sitting in a chair.
- Learn more about AEA Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program.
Geri-Fit® Strength Training Workout
- Geri-Fit® Strength Training Workout aims to increases strength, flexibility, range of motion, mobility, gait and balance.
Program Details:
- An ongoing, 45-minute, twice-weekly progressive resistance strength training exercise program.
- Participants start out using a set of two pound dumbbells and then, as their strength increases, they can use heavier weights in order to build more strength and balance.
- Exercises are performed seated in chairs with the option to stand.
- Geri-Fit® is a group setting class.
- Learn more about Geri-Fit®.
Active Living Every Day (ALED)
ALED is a behavior change program that helps participants overcome their barriers to physical activity and make positive changes that improve their health and well-being. Participants will learn to set goals and find activities they enjoy.
Program Details:
- 12 week class
- Incorporates short lecture and group discussion
- Participants choose their own activities and create plans based on their lifestyle and personal preferences, focusing on moderate-intensity activities that can be added to daily routines.
- Book and optional online tools offer structure and support as participants explore their options and begin to realize how enjoyable physical activity can be. As participants work through the course, they learn lifestyle management skills and build on small successes
- Learn more about Active Living Every Day.
AEA Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP)
AFAP aims to improve the overall well-being, reduce pain and inflamation, and increase social interaction in a fun, safe and effective way.
Program Details:
- Warm water exercise program suitable for every fitness level, shown to reduce pain, and improve overall health
- Exercises include: range of motion, muscle strengthening, socialization activities and an optional moderate intensity aerobic component
- Learn more about AEA Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program.
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less
Goals of Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less are to learn about and adopt evidence-based strategies necessary for getting to and keeping a healthy weight. Participants will connect with others working on similar goals, and remove barriers to healthy eating and physical activity.
Program Details:
- 15 one hour, online, weekly sessions delivered by a live Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) instructor
- 20 to 40 participants per class
- Classes are online only via computer or mobile device. Internet access is required.
- Learn more about Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less.
National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP)
NDPP aims to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Program Details:
- 16 weekly core sessions, 1 hour per session
- Six monthly post-core sessions
- 12 to 15 participants
- Focuses on long-lasting lifestyle changes including improved nutrition, increased physical activity, stress reduction and coping strategies
- Goal is minimum 5% loss of bodyweight to lower risk for developing Type 2 diabetes
- Increase physical activity to 150 minutes of moderate physical activity
- Structured group activities with Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved curriculum
- Group discussion and support, problem solving, skill building, videos, and sharing practical solutions
- Weight and minutes of physical activity recorded weekly
- Learn more about National Diabetes Prevention Program.
Stand Up for Your Health
Stand Up for Your Health aims to reduce sedentary behavior in older adults by standing up and moving more often and for longer duration throughout the day.
Program Details:
- Eight week workshop
- Classes meet for four weeks, two hours each session. Participants then return on week eight for a final refresher session.
- Learn more about Stand Up for Your Health.
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less
Goals of Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less are to learn about and adopt evidence-based strategies necessary for getting to and keeping a healthy weight. Participants will connect with others working on similar goals, and remove barriers to healthy eating and physical activity.
Program Details:
- 15 one hour, online, weekly sessions delivered by a live Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) instructor
- 20 to 40 participants per class
- Classes are online only via computer or mobile device. Internet access is required.
- Learn more about Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less.
HomeMeds
HomeMeds enables community agencies to address medication-related problems and errors that endanger the lives and well-being of community-living older adults.
Program Details:
- Individualized in-home screening, assessment and alert process to identify medication problems
- Computerized screening and pharmacist review
- Medications can be reviewed as part of a screening event or consumers can complete the medication risk assessment form
- Learn more about HomeMeds.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a self-care education program for family caregivers to improve: self-care habits, emotional management, self-confidence as a caregiver, and use of community resources.
Program Details:
- Community-based group program
- Six week class, 90 minutes or 2-1/2 hours per week
- 10 to 15 participants
- The program offers a scripted curriculum providing tools that can be individualized to meet the challenges of caregiving in a supportive and interactive environment.
- Learn more about Powerful Tools for Caregivers.
Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers
Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers aims to improve the quality of life of family caregivers who provide care for people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
Program Details:
- Nine week class, 90 minutes, once a week
- 6 to 8 people per group
- Program focuses on stress management, problem solving, support, and education
- Sessions include: education, discussion, and support as well as learning a stress management technique
- Learn more about Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers.
Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE)
Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) helps participants to understand how lifestyle choices and behaviors impact health. The program aims to develop an appreciation for cultural and generational diversity, including the participants increasing age.
Program Details:
- Six week class, one class per week, two hour classes
- Tools to manage health care, use of medications,
- Understanding of aging and how it affects metabolism of alcohol and medications
- Learn more about Wellness Initiative for Senior Education.
Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE)
Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) helps participants to understand how lifestyle choices and behaviors impact health. The program aims to develop an appreciation for cultural and generational diversity, including the participants increasing age.
Program Details:
- Six week class, one class per week, two hour classes
- Tools to manage health care, use of medications,
- Understanding of aging and how it affects metabolism of alcohol and medications
- Learn more about Wellness Initiative for Senior Education.
Fitness
Exercise and fitness are key to staying healthy and feeling good as we age. Senior Community Centers all over Pennsylvania offer different exercise and fitness classes for older adults. These classes help people stay active, meet others with similar interests, and have fun.