Oakhurst resident needs votes as SilverSneakers finalist

Aug. 27--For the second time since introducing the SilverSneakers program to the Fitness Zone, a member from the Oakhurst based fitness center has been nominated as a top ten national finalist for the Richard L. Swanson Award.

Every year the nationwide program reviews applicants from all over the country and chooses 10 finalists based on their individual stories and the adversities they have overcome.

This year Pat Ahmer, of Oakhurst, was nominated by the local Oakhurst SilverSneakers chapter and eventually by the nationwide organization to be a finalist.

Ahmer is just one year removed from her fourth knee replacement operation -- the results of a head-on car collision back in 1973 in which she suffered several internal injuries and fractures.

Since her accident Ahmer has been left with a lifetime of aches and pains including arthritis and knee problems.

Ahmer, who has dealt with the injuries since her 30s, says the program has done wonders for her as she continues to deal with physical restrictions brought on by the accident.

Since joining SilverSneakers, Ahmer says she has improved her range of motion and strength to the point that she feels like a completely different person.

"Recently on my one year post-op, the orthopedic surgeon was amazed at the strength, range of motion, balance, agility, and endurance that I now have. I have also made 60 new friends and share in their accomplishments, improvements, joys, and sadly, at time, their sorrows. I thank you, SilverSneakers, for adding so much to the quality of my life and my physical well-being," Ahmer said.

SilverSneakers is a preventative health program developed in 1992 by Mary Swanson in response to her ailing father, who she wanted to see enjoy a greater quality of life. The program was initially designed for elderly people but local instructor Kathy Johnson says it is not limited to age.

"Even though we have it listed at 65 and older, we have members that are aged 40 to 50, both men and women, who participate," Johnson said. "There are no restrictions and everyone is welcome to join."Since its development, SilverSneakers has partnered with Healthways to grow into one of the nations largest preventative health care programs in the country. SilverSneakers participants have proven to lower their overall health care costs and are admitted to hospitals at a much lower rate.

According to a nationwide survey done by SilverSneakers on its members, 41% of diabetic members report having better health in just one year and 46% reported having significant weight loss. Overall, sedentary behavior has been reduced by 59% in SilverSneakers members, which directly correlates with lower medical costs and a better quality of life.

The program is only offered locally at Fitness Zone and provides a multitude of exercise options for older adults and individuals looking to improve their overall physical health.

There are four different SilverSneakers exercise programs available, including SilverSneakers Classic, Healthways CardioFit, SilverSneakers Circuit, and SilverSneakers Yoga, with SilverSneakers Splash possibly being offered in the near future.

Healthways is a leading provider of preventative health care in an effort to reduce healthcare costs by providing a preventative healthcare program. It is designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy and promote the best possible health for people who are already suffering from sedentary and preventative health diseases.

The SilverSneakers program is made available to more than 11 million eligible members at more than 11,000 locations nationwide in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

SilverSneakers sites give access to numerous workout facilities and provide hand weights, balls, and stretch bands for those who are enrolled and participate in classes.

Insurance supplement plans are available for those with Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement carrier plans and group retiree plans and in some cases, certain insurance companies were provide complimentary access.

For more information on what insurances are accepted, you can go online to silversneakers.com or call (888) 423-4632. Participants can read more about Ahmer's story online at SilverSneakers.com where participants can vote for this year's Swanson award winner. Participants can vote once a day for their favorite story. Voting for this year's Richard L. Swanson award ends Aug. 31, and the winner will be announced in September.

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