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<p>At 65, Charlene Grady is having the time of her life.</p><p>Young-at-heart by any measure, Grady enjoys music, community events, walks in the park and time with friends and family.</p><p>A recent afternoon found her grasping a foam &#8220;noodle&#8221; and colorful water weights during a Water Fitness class at the Wilkes-Barre YMCA.</p><p>Grady, whose participation in the program is made possible by the Area Agency on Aging&#8217;s Prime Time Health, said the program has enabled her to become increasingly fit, to maintain movement and balance and to make new friends.</p><p>Having participated in the class for about two years now, Grady invites friends to stop by.</p><p>&#8220;Three of those here tonight are here because I&#8217;ve invited them,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I want to get the word out.&#8221;</p><p>Joanne Wynn, 67, is one of those friends. Having attended for only a few weeks, Wynn already feels better.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a newbie,&#8221; she said, &#8220;but I&#8217;m loving it.&#8221;</p><p>Thankful for the fitness opportunities retirement has provided her, Wynn said the workout is challenging but doable.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a vigorous workout,&#8221; said Grady. &#8220;But if you can&#8217;t do something, it&#8217;s okay. The instructor continues to encourage you to keep going.&#8221;</p><p>Grady and Wynn were joined in the pool by about a dozen others, of all ages.</p><p>Both easily kept up with those up to 30 years their juniors.</p><p>The Prime Time Health program offers funding for a variety of other programs at the YMCA for those over 50 years of age.</p><p>Paula Gozikowski, Prime Time Health coordinator, said, in addition to burning calories and helping seniors stay fit, many of the funded activities assist in maintain and building balance.</p><p>&#8220;Balance is so important for productive, active lives,&#8221; said Gozikowski.</p><p>The program&#8217;s Tai Ji Quan instruction specifically addresses balance.</p><p>Consisting of eight routines geared to postural control, daily functioning and rehabilitation, the evidence-based program is offered in hour-long sessions for 24 weeks. Funded by the state of Pennsylvania, the program is data driven and responsive to senior needs.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a program that gets measurable results,&#8221; said Gozikowski. &#8220;That&#8217;s why we are so excited about it.&#8221;</p><p>Many Prime Time Heath programs take place at Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s YMCA but some take seniors into the community to reinforce a variety of activities.</p><p>Senior centers across the area sponsored by the agency also provide programming specifically geared to get attendees up and moving.</p><p>For seniors feeling a bit adventurous, a ski clinic is available free of charge during the winter months, helping seniors on the slopes. The clinic, for those over 55 years of age, is offered at Jack Frost ski area and also addresses safety and nutrition.</p><p>Gozikowski stressed that aging brings with it a variety of opportunities, many available through the Prime Time Health program.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s so important to remain active throughout the lifespan,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It enhances the quality of life and helps people stay in touch with others.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Carol Barsh, 52, right, of Edwardsville, joins others over 50 in a BodyVive aerobics routine at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012416ActiveAdult_cp_gg_2-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Carol Barsh, 52, right, of Edwardsville, joins others over 50 in a BodyVive aerobics routine at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012416ActiveAdult_cp_gg_4-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Sally McGinley, 76, center, of Forty Fort, joins others over 50 in a BodyVive aerobics routine at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012416ActiveAdult_cp_gg_4-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Sally McGinley, 76, center, of Forty Fort, joins others over 50 in a BodyVive aerobics routine at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012416ActiveAdult_cp_gg_3-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Doug Knorr, 76, left, of Plains Township, and Betty Johnson, 69, of Nuangola, join others over 50 in a BodyVive aerobics routine at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012416ActiveAdult_cp_gg_3-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Doug Knorr, 76, left, of Plains Township, and Betty Johnson, 69, of Nuangola, join others over 50 in a BodyVive aerobics routine at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Area Agency on Aging&#8217;s Prime Time Health program enables seniors to maintain movement and balance</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>Information on the Prime Time Health program for those over 50 is available by calling Patti Gozikowski, Prime Time Health Coordinator at 570-822-1158 at ext. 3333 or by accessing the website at http://aginglw.org/free-fitness-classess-offered-by-area-agency-on-aging/.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Older adults work toward fitness goals