The YMCA will host its inaugural Healthy Aging Day, featuring community agency support and social connections, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the Norwich YMCA, located at 68 North Broad Street in Norwich. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

NORWICH — The YMCA will host its inaugural Healthy Aging Day, featuring community agency support and social connections, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Norwich YMCA, located at 68 N. Broad St. in Norwich.

“The statewide event is encouraged by Alliance of New York State YMCA’s,” said Cindy Koenig, YMCA membership director.

“The program is to celebrate aging as a strength, not a limitation,” Koenig said. “We look to highlight the YMCA’s leadership in healthy aging bringing together adults of all ages, caregivers, families, and partners.”

Local organizations are providing specialized resources and activities.

Aging Services Office: On hand to offer Medicare enrollment assistance.

Chenango County Department of Public Health will hand out brochures and also provide a raffle for an emergency kit.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital: Performing complimentary blood pressure checks.

Springbrook and Hospice Chenango will be on hand to discuss senior choices in healthcare.

NBT Bank: Representatives will speak on retirement services, trust and investments, technology and fraud.

Norwich City School District: Students will be available to help attendees navigate smartphone apps and everyday device functions.

Fitness Exhibitions: Health instructors will demonstrate the importance of movement, fitness moves and chair yoga exercises.

Create and Play: Golden Artist Colors' Gail Goldstein and Melanie Battoe will help with a creative take-home project.

Koenig explained all activities will be free and will showcase programs, partnerships and pathways to engagement, with live qigong and “Chair Yoga” demonstrations offered every 30 minutes for about 15-20 minutes.

She noted the day will be filled with valuable information and a lot of fun.

Several activities include cat’s cradle, Oobleck, making airplanes to throw from the mezzanine to the basketball court targets, water pong and more.

“Although everything is inside, Cruz Mexican Food truck will be outside,” she added. “I personally think Cruz’s burritos and tacos are the best Mexican food I have eaten.”

Being a transplant from the West Coast and Texas area, Koenig considers the food absolutely delightful, adding that the food truck will offer the opportunity to purchase single tacos so people can experience the food.

“Everything else in the event is free to the community,” she said.

The Office for Aging Services, previously known as the Area Agency on Aging, will have two tables at the event, one for Aging Services and one for NY Connects. They will provide literature and giveaways.

Aaron Weeks, director of Aging Services for the Chenango County Department of Human Services, said, “At the event outreach workers will be able to answer questions regarding upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, during which we expect to be extraordinarily busy as most of the carriers providing plans in Chenango County are eliminating or drastically changing their offerings.”

Weeks said attendees can give their name and contact information to one of the outreach workers to schedule a follow-up appointment either in the office or over the phone.

He also noted their program provides a multitude of services which include Home Delivered Meals, Aide and Caregiver Services, and Personal Emergency Response Systems.

Through the NY Connects program, the agency is able to assist all ages with applications for housing, Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP, Temporary Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, Defensive Driving Courses and AARP Tax Assistance.

“Community members can call the office at 607-337-1770 to schedule an appointment and learn more about our programs or discuss anything else they may need,” Weeks added.

Entertainment and refreshments will be on-site. Live music will be performed by Joe Carney, alongside food from the Cruz Mexican Food truck, plus popcorn and a coffee and tea bar.

The YMCA gives thanks for donations from Walmart, Price Chopper, Knuckledown Coffee, Dunkin Donuts and Chobani.