National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, observed on the last Wednesday of September, is a great reminder to make your health (and yourself) a priority. While your mind may immediately go to gym classes when thinking of health and fitness, today’s a day to docus on our overall well-being; this includes our physical health, nutrition, mental health, social connections, and ability to stay active and independent. Whether you’re scheduling a long-overdue checkup, exploring nutrition, trying a new fitness class, or simply taking a walk with a friend, small steps can make a big difference. Use this day as an opportunity to check in on your health, discover local resources, and find ways to support your well-being all year long.
Schedule an Appointment
Do you have a test or referral you’ve been meaning to schedule? Set some time aside today to make a call. Please note that this list was created as a public service. Speak with your doctor about the best screenings for your personal medical history.
The following screenings are recommended for women age 60 and over:
- Blood pressure (best checked at least once per year)
- Cervical cancer screening/Pap smear (recommended every 2 years)
- Cholesterol (recommended every 4-6 years)
- Colorectal cancer/Colonoscopy (recommended every 10 years until age 75)
- Dental exam (recommended at least once per year)
- Depression screening
- Eye exam (recommended every 1-2 years)
- Hearing test
- Lung cancer screening (if you have a history of smoking)(recommended annually)
- Mammogram (recommended every 1-2 years until age 75)
- Osteoporosis/Bone density screening
- Physical exam/wellness visit
- Vision screening (Recommended every 1-2 years)
Now is also a great time to schedule your annual flu shot!
Try Something New– find movement that brings you joy!
- Gardening Clubs
- Ann Arbor Garden Club ($20 annual dues)
- Ann Arbor Good Thyme Garden Club ($20 annual dues)
- Ann Arbor Wild Ones (various membership levels)
- Chelsea Area Garden Club ($25 annual dues)
- Dexter Garden Club ($25 annual dues)
- Milan Garden Club ($20 annual dues)
- Saline Stone & Thistle Garden Club (email [email protected] for current due amounts)
- Gyms/Health Centers
- Ann Arbor YMCA (734) 996-9622
- Offers reduced membership for adults over 65 ($50).
- Offers special fitness classes aimed at people living with arthritis.
- Ann Arbor YMCA (734) 996-9622
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- Chelsea Wellness Center (734) 214-0220
- Offers MyFitRx Pathways program, designed to help improve physical activity in individuals living with chronic disease, managing medical conditions or who need additional support.
- Also offers wellness coaching.
- Chelsea Wellness Center (734) 214-0220
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- Dexter Community Pool (734) 424-4180
- Senior Exercise Swim- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 8:30-9:30am ($1/day)
- Senior (age 55+) Quarterly pool pass available for $30
- Dexter Community Pool (734) 424-4180
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- Dexter Wellness Center (734) 580-2500
- Offers MyFitRx Pathways program, designed to help improve physical activity in individuals living with chronic disease, managing medical conditions or who need additional support.
- Also offers wellness coaching.
- Dexter Wellness Center (734) 580-2500
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- Health & Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College (734) 975-9950
- Offers senior membership at a reduced rate.
- Offers health and fitness assessments.
- Offers a variety of programs, including personal training, group classes, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling.
- Offers MyFitRx Pathways program, designed to help improve physical activity in individuals living with chronic disease, managing medical conditions or who need additional support.
- Health & Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College (734) 975-9950
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- Lifetime Fitness/Michigan Medicine (734) 647-2708
- Offers various fitness classes at Briarwood Mall (JCPenney wing).
- Chair Aerobics- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 9:00-10:00am (no cost)
- Strength, Stretch and Balance- Tuesdays 9:00-10:00am (no cost)
- Zumba Gold- Thursdays 9:00-10:00am (no cost)
- Chair Yoga- Saturdays 9:00-10:00am (no cost)
- Check Briarwood Mall’s website for new pop up fitness classes on The Lawn
- Lifetime Fitness/Michigan Medicine (734) 647-2708
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- Manchester Wellness Center (734) 428-9960
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- Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center (734) 971-6355
- Offers reduced membership for seniors (65+)
- Also offers a cardio training room, strength training room, indoor track, pool, and personal training.
- Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center (734) 971-6355
- Library Fitness Classes
- Dexter District Library (734) 426-4477
- Gentle Restorative Yoga- Thursdays 9:30-10:30am (no cost)
- Mindfulness Meditation- 2nd Saturday of each month 9:30-10:30am (no cost)
- Registration is required to save your spot- classes fill up quickly! Call for more information or to register.
- Dexter District Library (734) 426-4477
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- Saline District Library (734) 429-5450
- Offers Walking Yoga (Mondays noon-1:00pm) and Gentle Flow Yoga (Thursdays noon-1:00pm). Call or visit their website to register (no cost).
- Saline District Library (734) 429-5450
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- Northfield Township Area Library (734) 449-0066
- Offers Tai Chi (Tuesdays 11am-noon) and Ageless Grace (formerly Keen Kinetics) (Thursdays 1:00-2:00 pm). Call or visit their website to register.
- Northfield Township Area Library (734) 449-0066
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- Ypsilanti District Library 734-482-4110
- Meditation with Ease- Tuesdays 6:00-7:00pm (Superior Branch) (no cost)
- Moving for Better Balance- Wednesdays 10:00-11:00am (Whittaker Branch) (no cost)
- Chair Yoga for All Levels- Fridays 10:30-11:30am (Superior Branch) (no cost)
- Friday Walking Club- Fridays 10:30-11:30am (Whittaker Branch) (no cost)
- Also offers Tools for Living Kits with tools and activities focused on improving quality of life for older adults. These can be checked out of the library.
- Arthritis Kit
- Diabetes Resources and Tools
- Knee and Hip Resource Kit
- Low Vision Kit
- Meditation Resources and Tools
- Memory Improvement Kit
- Ypsilanti District Library 734-482-4110
- Senior Centers (offer a variety of programming, including free and low-cost fitness classes)
- Ann Arbor Senior Center (734) 794-6250
- Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242
- Dexter Senior Center (734)-426-7737
- Lincoln Golden Ages (734) 218-4253
- Manchester Senior Citizen Council (734) 212-3080
- Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229
- Northfield Township Community/Senior Center (734) 449-2295
- Pittsfield Township Senior Center (734) 822-2117
- Saline Area Senior Center (734) 429-9274
- Turner Senior Wellness Program (734) 998-9353
- Ypsilanti Senior Center (734) 483-5014
- Ypsi Township 50 & Beyond Program (734) 544-3800
Explore Your Nutrition
- Cooking & Health via Senior Resource Connect
- Exploring the DASH Diet via Senior Resource Connect
- Fighting Malnutrition via Senior Resource Connect
- Nutritionist Services: Getting Coverage and Support via Senior Resource Connect
Check in on Your Overall Wellness
- Physical health: Are you experiencing any new aches, changes, fatigue, or other symptoms you’ve been putting off? Do you know when your next recommended screenings and checkups are due?
- Mental health: How have you been feeling emotionally? Are stress, anxiety, sadness, or loneliness affecting your daily life? Consider talking with a health care provider or mental health professional if you need support.
- Nutrition: Are you eating regular, balanced meals and drinking enough water? If you’re unsure about your nutritional needs, consider talking with a registered dietitian.
- Sleep: Are you getting enough restful sleep? Persistent sleep problems are worth discussing with your health care provider.
- Social connections: Do you have regular opportunities to spend time with friends, family, neighbors, or community groups? Staying socially connected can be an important part of overall wellness.
- Strength and balance: Are you staying strong and steady enough to comfortably manage everyday activities? Consider adding strength, balance, or flexibility exercises to your routine.
- Preventive care: Take a look at your medications, vaccinations, dental and vision care, and other routine health needs. Make a list of anything you’re unsure about and bring it to your next appointment.
- Joy and purpose: Are you making time for things you enjoy? Hobbies, volunteering, learning something new, spending time outdoors, and other meaningful activities can all contribute to well-being.
Explore Local Health Resources
- Dental Care
- Hope Clinic (734) 480-9575
- Must be uninsured and have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Hope Clinic (734) 480-9575
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- My Community Dental Center (734) 480-4250
- Accepts Medicaid plans and most private insurance, as well as low-income uninsured patients. MCDC also has reduced fees for uninsured veterans with proof of service.
- My Community Dental Center (734) 480-4250
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- UM School of Dentistry (734) 998-9640
- Call (734) 764-1444 to schedule an appointment.
- UM School of Dentistry (734) 998-9640
- Food Assistance
- Food Pantries
- CCWC Food Pantry (734) 662-4462
- Tuesdays 2:00-5:30 pm
- Thursdays 10:00 am- 2:30 pm
- CCWC Food Pantry (734) 662-4462
- Food Pantries
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- Community Action Network/Bryant Food Pantry
- Mondays-Thursdays 10:00 am- 3:00 pm, Fridays 10:0 am- 2:00 pm
- Community Action Network/Bryant Food Pantry
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- Visit the Food Gatherers website for a complete list of food pantries in the area (plus an interactive map!)
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- Delivered Meals
- Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels (734) 998-6686
- Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242
- Dexter Senior Center (734) 253-2370
- Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229
- Northfield Township Community/Senior Center (734) 449-2295
- Saline Meals on Wheels (734) 429-9274, Ext. 110
- Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels (734) 487-9669
- Delivered Meals
- Mental & Emotional Health
- Mental Health Resources for Older Adults via Senior Resource Connect
- CCWC Behavioral Health (734) 926-0155
- Mindful Dexter (a program of the Dexter Wellness Center (734) 580-2500
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (734) 994-6611
- Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (734) 544-3050
Visit the Senior Resource Connect Online Senior Resource Directory to find additional resources in your community(opens in new tab)