4700 Dublin Ave., Midland MI 48642 | 989-633-3700 | Contact Us

4700 Dublin Ave.
Midland MI 48642
989-633-3700
Contact Us

Fitness & Educational Programs

Fitness & Educational programs at Senior Services address both the physical and mental aspects of life. There are a broad range of topics covered including fall prevention, local history, dementia care, and advance care planning. Our classes will engage you intellectually and/or emotionally, assist you in planning your own care or care of a loved one, recognize memory changes or help you learn ways to keep yourself safe.

We also offer numerous ways to stay on top of your health each month with health education programs and an array of fitness classes, low-cost clinics and access to fitness equipment.

Enrichment

Enrichment programs are also offered at each of our Dining and Activity Centers and include musical and theatrical entertainment, arts and crafts classes and groups, creative writing and book clubs, and card, Bingo, pool, Wii and other games.

Education Calendar

Evidence Based Classes

When you sign up for an evidence-based program, you have the security of knowing that the class has been tested thoroughly and has proven that it works. Evidence-based workshops empower people to take an active role in managing their own health or that of the person they care for. The goal is to help participants become better self-managers who have the knowledge, skills, outlook and ability to successfully navigate the challenges they face.

“The best part of the program was on-target communication is a safe environment. I am feeling more confident and much better at managing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Participant

Diabetes Self-Management Program (PATH)

For people with Diabetes and those who care for them, this proven workshop is given 2½ hours, once a week, for six weeks. People with type 2 diabetes and/or close family members attend the program in groups of 12-16. Participants will make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems in creating and carrying out their plan.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (PATH)

The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program is an evidence-based program appropriate for those with chronic pain, and their caregiver. Meeting 2½ hours once a week for six weeks and led by two trained leaders, learn techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep, appropriate exercise, and much more.

Matter of Balance

This outstanding evidence-based series is proven to help reduce risk of falls. As we tend to lose balance, strength and flexibility and have vision changes as we age, our risk increases. We will address fear of falling, learn to assess our home, how to get up safely if we do fall, and practice basic exercises that can help increase strength, flexibility and balance.

“Knowing that I am responsible for making changes to improve the quality of my life. The part regarding communication with health care providers was very valuable and newer information.”

Chronic Pain Management
Participant

Savvy Caregiver

Savvy Caregiver is an evidence-based program that helps people caring for a person suffering from the memory loss and confusion of dementia, to gain the knowledge, skills and frame of mind necessary to navigate their challenging role. Through the six-week series of classes, caregivers learn how to adopt a strategic outlook on the care they provide that will help them keep their person more contentedly involved in their daily life, and take care of themselves as well. Respite care at no charge may be available if needed to attend.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC)

Family members who assist in the care of a loved one tend to spend themselves until there is little left. In this evidence-based program taking place over the course of six weeks, caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to other family members and healthcare providers, deal with difficult feelings and make tough caregiving decisions. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a program you can count on to make a positive difference in your life!

Education Calendar

“I would love to and will encourage my siblings to learn more about Parkinson’s so they will have a better understanding and more importantly how the can help.”

Savvy Caregiver
Participant

Regular Monthly Education Programs

Lifelong learning can enhance our understanding of the world around us and improve our quality of life. We offer a wide range of educational programs to guide you toward the life you want. Topics include local history, advance planning, technology, countries of the world, managing your health, current issues, community happenings and more.

Education Calendar

“Gaining a new relationship with someone very special, and getting to know them. Very good experience!”

Cyber Seniors Participant

Art of the Matter

Civil War Series

Cyber Seniors

Lunchtime Learners

“It was nice to be able to help someone while also getting to know them as a person. Especially since I don’t spend much time around older people.”

Cyber Seniors Participant

Science & Nature Series

Science and Nature is a program focused on understanding and respecting the natural world, the benefits of scientific inquiry, and the wonders of the Earth (and beyond). We will watch a fascinating documentary that will educate, amaze, and inspire us to appreciate the world around us.

This program is held on a bimonthly basis on the 1st Tuesday of the month at Trailside Center from 10:30-11:30 am.

Travel & Adventure Series

Whether you used to travel the globe and want to comfortably revisit favorite places, are curious about amazing locales you have never seen or are seeking inspiration for your next trip, the Travel and Adventure Series offers a window to the world!

Join us on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month from 12-1 pm for video programs as we explore (in-person & online options available)! Check the calendar for upcoming topics.

Tuesdays with TED

Technology Resource Booklet

“I really enjoyed the relationships I made throughout this! Though I was supposed to be teaching, I also learned from my partner!”

Cyber Seniors Participant

Health & Fitness

Senior Services offers numerous ways to stay on top of your health each month with health education programs and an array of fitness classes, low-cost clinics and access to fitness equipment.

Most classes are available at Trailside and Sanford Center. In collaboration with the CMU College of Medicine we are offering the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) at Greendale Center. Greater Midland Community Center also offers a Silver Sneakers class at Mills Center on Monday mornings. Group Exercise at Greendale, Mills and Coleman Centers is free of charge and does not require registration.

Thanks to funds from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, Friends of the Rail-Trail, and The Great Lakes Bay Invitational, three-wheel bicycles are available for check-out for one 4-hour time blocks per day at Trailside Center. Learn more about bike check-out on the Trailside Center webpage.

Calendar & Registration

Monthly Fitness Flyer

Fitness Classes

Senior Services offers many online and in-person fitness classes including:

Fitness Rooms at
Trailside & Sanford (Virtual Tour)
Walking Tracks and more

“After my time here, I’m more flexible, my balance is better and I have more energy—all while having a great time.”

Zumba Participant

“I didn’t realize how much balance I lost over the years. Excellent program for seniors.”

Move with Balance Participant

Zumba with Trena

Zumba Gold is designed for people ages 50 and up, with low impact dance steps, balance and strength built into each session and set to Latin and world music.

Zumba Gold/Gold Toning
The best of both Zumba Gold & Zumba Gold Toning have been combined into one class. Zumba Gold Toning is a fitness party with lightweight resistance to enhance muscle strength, tone and endurance.

Your first Zumba class is free! Classes after that are $4 drop-in, $30 for a 10-visit punch card or $60 for a 20-class punch card. Instructor Trena Winans is a certified Zumba Gold instructor and has over 40 years of dance experience.

Walk15 with Shelley

Come join the fun! Get an aerobic workout to upbeat music from all genres using all the muscles in the body and adding simple arm movements. Improve balance, increase flexibility and range of motion in the joints, strengthen muscles and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Modify the movements to your own fitness level from beginners to more advanced! Suggested donations of $3 per class or $30 per month for unlimited classes paid directly to your instructor.

Essential Mat Pilates with Jill

An excellent way to improve flexibility, increase core muscle strength, improve posture, as well as promote relaxation while improving focus and concentration. STOTT Pilates is the contemporary form of exercises that is respected by fitness, rehab, and health practitioners worldwide. This class requires the ability to transfer up and down from the floor. Please bring your own mat if available. Class is outdoors or in the Sanford center fitness room. The cost is $4 per class paid directly to your instructor. Jill Nyman is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a certified STOTT Pilates instructor.

Chair Yoga with Steve

Yoga has numerous positive health effects including calming the mind, easing arthritis, building strength, increasing flexibility and improving balance. Chair Yoga makes this practice available to anyone. Join Steve for a wonderful class utilizing seated and standing poses and see the benefits for yourself! The cost per class is $4. You may purchase a punch-card. The charge is $36, which gets you 10 classes for the price of nine.

Tai Chi with Steve

Beginner Tai Chi with Steve Weckle is known to improve balance, flexibility and strength, and to benefit one’s overall sense of well-being. Tai Chi is one of the exercises recommended by the CDC for better balance and for fall prevention. The slow and gentle movement is suitable for all ages. In this class, students will learn a form of Yang style Tai Chi tailored for beginners for better balance. The fundamental Yang style Tai Chi steps and the technique of mindfulness of breathing will be taught.

Classes are $4 each or $36 for a ten-class punch card. This class is also open to drop-in students who took the previous session and would like to drop in for practice. $4 per drop in.

Advanced Tai Chi with Steve Weckle is for students who have taken at least one session of Beginner Tai Chi and can comfortably perform the form learned in that class, and for students who have previous Tai Chi experience. 24-form Yang style Tai Chi and various other short forms will be covered in class. In each class, we will select a few movements to focus on.

Classes are $4 each or $36 for a ten-class punch card.

Pickleball Class with Steve (seasonal)

Learn to Play Pickleball with Steve Weckle on Tuesday mornings at 8 am. Meet at the Jerome Township Pickleball courts on the north end of the Sanford Senior Center parking lot! Bring your own equipment and cost is donation.

OTAGO with CMU College of Medicine

The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an
evidence-based program proven to reduce
risk of falls by 35-40%. Participants will have an initial assessment, then in once weekly classes, they will learn strength and balance exercises from students in the College of Health Professions and College of Medicine.

Participants will be asked to perform the
exercises two times a week on their own. After eight weeks, participants are assessed again and can see their progress. Classes will be ongoing at Greendale Center. No fee to attend.

To register for OTAGO contact:
Phone: 989-774-1350 or 989-774-2715
Email: fallprevention@cmich.edu

Group Exercise at Coleman, Greendale & Mills Centers

Group Exercise at the Centers Mills, Greendale and Coleman Center Site Managers facilitate FREE weekly group exercise classes. If you’d like more information contact Mills at 989-633-3788, Greendale at 989-832-8683 or Coleman at 989-465-6216.

I used to fall a few times a week, but since I started taking Bonesaver regularly a year ago, I haven’t fallen at all.

Bonesaver Participant

Line Dancing

Join friends new and old for a great time moving to music! Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other – making it a great exercise for these times! Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level classes are offered, all experience levels are welcome! No fee.

Bonesaver Exercise

This weight-training class is for the prevention of osteoporosis. Suitable for all fitness levels, adaptable to your physical restrictions. No equipment needed to start. There is a suggested donation of $2 a class. Please send a check at the end of each month until the time when we restart in-person classes. Payment instructions will be sent upon registration.

Calming Yoga with Julie

A mat-based guided practice including yoga postures with gently flowing transitions, breathing exercises, and meditation with mental, physical, and spiritual health benefits. “Yoga is a personal journey where one can find balance, peace, wellness” -Michelle Thielen. Benefits include stress reduction, improved body awareness and balance, increases in flexibility, strength, and muscle tone, pain management, and increased lung capacity. In addition, yoga may help you cultivate peace with yourself and others and deepen your own personal faith. This practice may be modified to your own fitness level from beginners to more advanced, however, participants will be required to transfer up and down from the floor independently. Please bring your own mat if available. The cost per class is $4 drop-in, $30 for a 10-visit punch card or $60 for a 20-class punch card (paid directly to your instructor). Julie Pierce is a certified group exercise instructor with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.

Fall Prevention & Balance with Julie

A class intended to reduce participants’ fall risk and thereby, maintain their mobility and independence for as long as possible. Exercises for muscular strength and endurance using multiple joints and numerous muscles result in functional fitness for fall prevention. This class will address the key components of Agility, Balance, Coordination, Speed/Reaction Time, and Power (i.e. lower body muscle strength), as well as education about fall risk and prevention. Exercises will be performed sitting and standing (with support as needed). The cost per class (paid directly to your instructor) is $4 drop-in, $30 for a 10-visit punch card (good for ANY of JULIE’S classes) or $55 for a 20-class punch card (good for ANY of JULIE’S classes). Instructor, Julie Pierce, is a certified group exercise instructor with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.

Gentle Yoga with Steve Weckle_Sanford_outdoors (9)

Calendar & Registration

Please see our Calendar for the latest schedule and locations.

Health Education

Take charge of your well-being through our comprehensive Health Education Classes and Clinics.
Your health is our priority, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Calendar & Registration

Health Clinics

Blood Pressure Clinics

If you have ever been diagnosed as having either high or low blood pressure, it is important to regularly keep track. Monthly blood pressure screenings are available at a Center near you.

Foot Care Clinics

Independent professional, Adrienne Schmitt, offers foot and nail care for local older adults. Foot care appointments are held twice a week on a monthly basis at Senior Services Main Building at 4700 Dublin Avenue, Midland. Cost for each service is $30. Clients are required to provide your own wash pan and towel. To schedule your appointment, call 989-633-3700.

Flu Shot Clinics

Once a year in early Fall, Senior Services hosts flu shot clinics. It is recommended that everyone get vaccinated, but it is especially important for anyone over the age of 50. Clinics are conveniently offered at all six Dining and Activity Centers in the county and administered by experienced pharmacists. Please check the dates and times for the center of your choice. No appointments are taken; injections are given on a first come, first served basis. Have your Medicare Part B or other insurance card with you and present it at the time you receive your injection along with the name of your regular Doctor. Non- insurance payments will be accepted as
cash only.

Healthly Hints

Once a month, our Health Education Coordinator, a Registered Nurse, travels to each Dining and Activity Center to teach a program on medical health-related issues.

Past topics have included: