Healthy Aging Day at the YMCA

On February 12th, the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County welcomed community members for Healthy Aging Day — a celebration focused on helping older adults live active, independent, and fulfilling lives. The event brought together a wide range of local organizations, each offering resources and services designed to promote well-being, dignity, and connection. From healthcare and nutrition support to housing assistance and volunteer opportunities, the day showcased the strong network of programs available to older residents and their families throughout Tompkins County. To continue to support healthy aging, we’d like to share these community resources with you.

Hearing, Memory, and Wellness Resources
Healthy aging starts with access to quality care and supportive resources.

Timeless Hearing provides evidence-based audiology services for adults, including
comprehensive hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, and tinnitus management. They also offer virtual audiology appointments, making it easier for residents to receive
care from the comfort of home.

The Alzheimer’s Association was also in attendance, offering information about free caregiver support groups and programs for individuals living with dementia. Their free
24/7 helpline ensures confidential emotional support and crisis assistance are always available.

The Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes showcased its wide range of free services, including wellness classes, peer-to-peer support groups, and one-on-one
assistance. They also offer a boutique with free wigs and head coverings, along with a lending library filled with helpful materials for patients and families.

Food, Guidance, and Community Support
Good health is deeply connected to proper nutrition and access to essential resources.

CCE Tompkins Nutrition Education connects community members through programs such as SNAP-Ed NY, which provides practical tips for grocery shopping and cooking
on a budget, and EFNEP, offering interactive classes on food safety and resource management.

The Social Resource Navigator (SRN) program helps bridge the gap between healthcare and social services. By working with Cayuga Health primary care practices,
SRN connects patients to community resources addressing unmet needs such as housing insecurity or access to food.

Foodnet Meals on Wheels supports independence through home-delivered meals and community dining sites at locations like Titus Towers and the Slaterville Fire
Company. Their “Blizzard Bags” — filled with shelf-stable meals — help ensure older adults have reliable nutrition during winter emergencies.

Independence and Home Resources
Maintaining independence at home is a key component of aging with dignity.

The Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) offers Home Improvement Programs that provide low-interest or potentially forgivable loans for critical repairs.
Their Minor Home Repair program specifically assists seniors with safety improvements, such as fixing deteriorated steps, installing grab bars, or adding
wheelchair ramps.

Gadabout, founded as a grassroots initiative, operates a fleet of 26 lift-equipped vehicles that provide transportation for Tompkins County residents over age 55 or living
with a disability — a vital service that keeps individuals connected to appointments, errands, and social activities.

The Brookdale Ithaca shared information about its enhanced assisted living and adult home memory care services. With 24/7 on-site support and personalized care plans,
Brookdale emphasizes comfort and dignity. Programs like Personal Solutions deliver care products directly to residents’ doors in discreet packaging.

Community Connection and Planning

Healthy aging is about more than physical health — it’s also about financial stability, purpose, and planning for the future.

The United Way of Tompkins County highlighted its 2-1-1 ALICE Program, which distributes emergency payments of up to $500 directly to vendors to help with urgent
needs like car repairs, insurance bills, or medical expenses.

Next Chapter Resources, hosted by the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute, provides an online directory designed for adults ages 50–60 who are planning for retirement and organizing their lives around healthy aging.

Finally, Volunteer Tompkins, in collaboration with Cornell’s Einhorn Center, serves as a one-stop platform for finding meaningful volunteer opportunities with over 35 local
nonprofits — proving that purpose and service remain powerful components of healthy living at every stage of life.