To enhance community health, the YMCA of Greater Seattle is implementing a plethora of programs for members of all ages that address multiple chronic conditions. Examples include the Diabetes Prevention Program, Wellness for Life, Pedaling for Parkinson’s and LIVESTRONG for cancer survivors. It also hosts Actively Changing Together (ACT) in partnership with a local children’s hospital for youth ages eight to 14 with elevated BMI and their families and Enhance Fitness for older adults to build balance and control arthritis symptoms.
“Everything we do is based on the idea that the way you live your day-to-day life presents a lot of opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors and routines and prevent or better manage chronic health conditions,” said Sally Sundar, the program executive of health integration. “When you go see the doctor, they may tell you to change what you’re eating or physical activity levels, but they only spend a few minutes with you every six months or once a year. We’re the place that gets to see you every day and interact with you every week. We help you take those goals in a clinical care space and work it into your daily life.”
Personalizing Experiences at YMCA of Greater Seattle
These programs, along with personal group health coaching, are crucial for the community. They provide a structured and supportive approach to managing and preventing chronic diseases. Sundar emphasized the importance of understanding individual goals and creating sustainable, enjoyable health routines.
“Our goal is to always have a person-centered approach to healthy lifestyle support and help behavior change,” emphasized Sundar. “There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, nor do we believe everyone has the same values or goals around something like their weight or disease prevention. We work with a person to articulate what their health goals are and how to make small incremental changes that are sustainable and doable for them.”
Attendees have responded positively. Many expressing gratitude for the support, dedication to, and sense of community the programs provide. For example, the LIVESTRONG program is offered free of charge which ensures accessibility. Also, participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program have seen significant health improvements, with average weight loss often exceeding the 5% benchmark associated with reduced diabetes risk.
Common Problems and Potential Solutions
In contrast, one of the main challenges is enrolling participants. Sundar noted the difficult of committing to a year-long program which can be daunting. The YMCA addresses this by investing in a dedicated enrollment team and taking the time to understand members’ concerns along every step of the way toward a healthier life.
“People don’t typically have a lot of free time to enroll in a year-long program,” said Sundar. “If they did, it would be easy to be healthy. We wouldn’t need these programs. They end up staying because getting support around making these lifestyle changes. But if there are social or financial barriers keeping them from enrolling in these programs, we have two social workers on staff to connect them with resources.”
Having the right staff who are properly trained and equipped to facilitate this programming was a big tip from Sundar. They should be able to earn the trust of members and interact with them with grace and empathy. This was one of Sundar’s keys to success and help drive enrollment.
“Getting people to enroll is one of the hardest parts, so we’ve invested in our enrollment team,” said Sundar. “They’re qualified and great at motivational interviewing, training and talking to people. There’s no criticism or shaming. Investing in our staff so they’re able to have those conversations with members is huge.”
Looking forward, the YMCA of Greater Seattle is committed to expanding these programs and integrating them further into community health strategies. With ongoing efforts to secure funding and enhance program delivery, the YMCA aims to continue being a bridge between clinical care and everyday health for its participants. As such, its impact on its members’ health journeys is undeniable and continuously growing.
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