In partnership with Lincoln Health, Central Lincoln County (CLC) YMCA and Boothbay Region (BR) YMCA have been making a concerted effort to support people in the community with chronic disease by increasing their base of evidence-based health intervention programs. With programs and equipment that address health concerns like pre-diabetes, arthritis, cancer, obesity, and high blood pressure, YMCAs help participants build lifestyle skills to improve their quality of life.

With Parkinson’s disease being one of the major health concerns in Lincoln County, the partner YMCAs have recently undergone an initiative to address this. Exercise has been shown to help people living with Parkinson’s disease by helping them maintain balance, mobility and strength to perform their activities of daily living.

In May of this year, LincolnHealth moved their Parkinson’s BIG for LIFE group, a class for graduates of LincolnHealth’s LSVT: BIG therapy, to the new multi-gen room at the CLC YMCA. In June, the BR YMCA launched Rock Steady Boxing, a class that gives people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum. The CLC YMCA plans to launch a similar class, Boxing for Parkinson’s, early this fall.

To round out the group exercise class offerings, with an independent fitness option, both YMCAs are thrilled to announce to the community that both locations have now purchased a Theracycle bike each. This piece of fitness equipment is a physical therapy exercise device designed to help people stay active even when they are mobility challenged. Research has shown that assisted high-cadence cycling, referred to as “forced exercise,” significantly reduces the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These bikes will be delivered to each YMCA in July and be available for use in the Healthy Living Centers.

Lifestyle intervention can be key in the management of chronic disease, as well as help delay the progression or onset of symptoms. For questions about any of the YMCAs evidence-based health intervention programs, contact Casey Clark Kelley, Healthy Living director, 207-563-9622 or cclarkelley@clcymca.org.