A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

10 Weeks, Remarkable Results: EnhanceFitness Makes an Impact at L’Arche Jacksonville, FL

by Savannah Seiple, CTRS

Over the past 10 weeks, Sunshine Recreation had the opportunity to bring EnhanceFitness to adults aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities at L’Arche Jacksonville. Savannah Seiple, CTRS, Sunshine Recreation Program Director and EnhanceFitness Instructor, led the group through weekly classes throughout the program.

The participants did an incredible job, and both staff observations and post-program assessments showed meaningful improvements in strength and mobility. On average, participants increased arm curl performance by 34%, improved sit-to-stand performance by 14%, and completed the Timed Up & Go 10% faster compared with their initial assessments.

Beyond the numbers, it was exciting to see participants become stronger, more comfortable with the exercises, and increasingly engaged each week. We were thrilled to see measurable progress in just 10 weeks through EnhanceFitness and are excited about the potential for continued growth as we begin another session at L’Arche Jacksonville!

Key Details to Watch: CMS 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)

The proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) introduces historic shifts specifically designed to integrate lifestyle medicine, physical activity, and behavioral changes directly into reimbursed clinical care including two for our EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness Affiliates to watch:

1. Health Coaching: For the first time, CMS has proposed a national Medicare payment pathway for health and well-being coaching services.
2. Expanding Evidence-Based Community Programs: The proposed rule actively opens doors for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and Community Care Hubs (CCHs).

Reminder: EF Instructor Job & Research Opportunities Page Now Available

Last month, we launched a new online resource for the EnhanceFitness community that allows EF Affiliates to share substitute and permanent instructor job openings and provides a place to promote opportunities for participation in research projects.

The EF Instructor Opportunities page is available through the EF Instructor and EF Affiliate Resource Portal login. Affiliates can submit job postings by completing a simple request form, and approved opportunities are added to a searchable table for instructors across the country.

EF Instructors can browse current openings and search by keywords such as location, city, or day of the week to find opportunities that fit their needs. Be sure to scroll to the right when viewing the table to see all posting details.

If you have questions about using the page or submitting a posting, please contact ProjectEnhance@soundgenerations.org.

Fall Prevention Awareness Week is September 21-25, 2026

Social Media Best Practices and Toolkit

Tips for hosting a Fall Prevention Day of Action

Handouts and more!

Older Adult Physical Activity Gains: Building National Attention

Across healthcare, aging services, and fitness sectors, there is growing recognition that regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for supporting healthy aging, maintaining independence, and improving quality of life.

Over the past month, EnhanceFitness and this important conversation have been highlighted through several national platforms:

• The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Momentum Discussions Podcast featured a conversation on The Missing Prescription: Why Strength Training Belongs in Health Care, exploring the critical role of strength training in healthy aging.
• EnhanceFitness was highlighted as part of a national panel discussion, Integrated Obesity Care for Older Adults: Turning Vision into Practice in the U.S., examining how evidence-based community programs can help translate healthcare recommendations into meaningful action and improved outcomes.
• A new publication, The Exercise is Medicine® Active Aging Initiative: Aligning Healthcare, Exercise Professionals and Community Resources to Support Healthy Aging (Stoutenberg, Denison, & Joy, 2026), outlines a framework for strengthening connections between healthcare providers, exercise professionals, and community organizations to help older adults access evidence-based physical activity opportunities.

Together, these discussions reinforce the value of programs like EnhanceFitness and the vital role community-based exercise programs play in helping older adults stay active, healthy, and engaged.

Learn more:

• GSA Momentum Discussions Podcast: The Missing Prescription: Why Strength Training Belongs in Health Care
• Integrated Obesity Care for Older Adults Webinar
• Exercise is Medicine® Active Aging Initiative article

EnhanceWellness: What Are Participants Saying?

Testimonials shared by Jeneane Slate, BSN, RN, EnhanceWellness Coach at UCHealth, Fort Collins, CO

“Thank you so much for everything! I really do appreciate your time and focus on me. I truly do feel like you care about your clients and do your best to help them. You yourself are an amazing person, thank you for being you! I will miss our meetings!”

“I am ecstatic! My A1c is back down to 5.3. It was 5.5 on Nov 26th. The diet changes and increased exercise are definitely working!!!! Thank you for your encouragement and support. Being accountable to you has really made a difference for me being able to stick with making these changes. I will let the dietitian know as well, that her guidance on making better food choices has really paid off for me.” 

“Thank you so much for your encouragement, and your caring heart. You are a blessing in my life dear! And I’m sure I will continue to thrive with you coaching me!! I appreciate all you are, and all you do!”

“Thank you so much for that encouragement. I felt better when I walked out of your office! I’m so glad I came this morning!”  

“I really liked the article. It had lots of good ideas, and I feel like you are really supporting me to take these small steps.”

“Thank you for everything you do for me and for keeping me accountable.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did for me yesterday! I loved meeting you and am amazed and yet not amazed at how it turned out. I at last feel supported. I wasn’t going to mention my health situation, but I did. And God provided a support person who is knowledgeable about my situation. How about that?? Thank you, thank you!”

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for August: Preparing for Healthy Aging Month – Small Actions, Lasting Impact

As we look ahead to Healthy Aging Month in September, it’s a great opportunity for EF Instructors, EW Coaches, and community organizations to reinforce the habits and programs that help older adults maintain independence, mobility, and quality of life. Healthy aging is more than adding years to life. It is about supporting physical, mental, and social well-being at every stage of aging.

1. Prioritize Strength, Balance, and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity remains one of the most effective interventions for healthy aging. The CDC recommends that adults age 65 and older participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days and activities that improve balance. These activities help maintain independence, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and support the ability to perform everyday tasks. [cdc.gov], [nia.nih.gov]

Program takeaway: Consider how your EnhanceFitness classes and EnhanceWellness coaching programs intentionally incorporate strength training and balance activities, not just aerobic exercise.

2. Address Fall Prevention Before a Fall Occurs

Falls are one of the leading threats to older adults’ health, safety, and independence. The National Institute on Aging notes that fall risk increases with age and can result in fractures, hospitalization, and disability. Evidence-based fall prevention programs, balance training, and environmental safety education can significantly reduce fall risk and improve confidence in daily movement. [nia.nih.gov], [ncoa.org]

Program takeaway: Integrate balance assessments, functional movement exercises, and fall prevention education into routine programming rather than treating them as separate services.

3. Promote Social Connection as a Health Strategy

Healthy aging includes social well-being. The CDC identifies social connectedness as a key component of healthy aging, alongside physical and mental health. Research highlighted by the National Council on Aging suggests that social engagement can support mobility, cognitive health, confidence, and overall well-being while helping reduce risk factors associated with falls and physical decline. [cdc.gov], [ncoa.org]

Program takeaway: EnhanceFitness classes, EnhanceWellness coaching, wellness workshops, volunteer opportunities, and peer-supported programming can strengthen both physical and social health outcomes.

Looking Ahead

Healthy Aging Month is a timely reminder that the most effective aging strategies are often the simplest: moving regularly, building strength and balance, and fostering meaningful social connections. As professionals serving older adults, we have a unique opportunity to create programs and environments that help people age with confidence, resilience, and independence. By focusing on these key areas coming into September and beyond, we can make a lasting impact on the communities we serve!

The Enhance Program Resource Portal

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

UPDATED 8/25/2026: EnhanceFitness Remote Delivery Guide – featuring new liability information

EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms Translation (Russian) now available!

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Post and Search EF Instructor Job Opportunities!

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

Now Available: Post and Search EF Instructor Job and Research Participation Opportunities

We are excited to announce the launch of a web page where EF Affiliates can post their announcements of available substitute and permanent EF Instructor positions anywhere in the country, and where we can share opportunities to participate in research projects!

To access this page, log in to your EF Instructor or EF Affiliate Resource Portal. Once logged in, you’ll see a link for the EnhanceFitness Instructor Job Opportunities page.

On this page, there are instructions for EF Affiliates on how to post a request by filling out a request form.

There is also a table where EF Instructors can view available job openings. These can be searched for key words such as a city name or day of the week. (Be sure to scroll the table all the way to the right to view all the information about the posting!)

Please reach out to ProjectEnhance@soundgenerations.org with any questions!

Reminder: STEADI available in EF Online Data Entry System (ODES)

As interest in falls prevention continues to grow, we would like to remind you that the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) screening tool (the 4-Stage Balance Test and the the Fall Risk Survey) is available within the Online Data Entry System (ODES) as part of the Fitness Check data entry page, and can be used as a pre-screening tool for EnhanceFitness participants. The STEADI screening tool can be turned on in your ODES account by request (email meghant@soundgenerations.org).

The STEADI tool provides a simple, evidence-based way to identify individuals who may be at increased risk of falling and can help support referrals to appropriate falls prevention interventions and resources.

If your organization is not currently using the STEADI pre-screening feature in ODES, we encourage you to explore how it can be incorporated into your participant intake and assessment processes. Using STEADI can help strengthen falls prevention efforts and support healthier aging outcomes in your community.

If you have questions about accessing or using the STEADI tool in ODES, please reach out!

Aging Is an Endurance Sport – Taking it on Together

This fall, two lifelong friends, Chris and Dave, will run nearly 40 miles over three days in Utah to promote active aging and support Project Enhance.

Most Saturdays, they hike Colorado trails, discussing family, health, caregiving, and purposeful aging. Weekdays, they support one another in their fitness journey. But their camaraderie is grounded in more than fitness.

Dave has navigated sandwich-generation caregiving involving his mom, grandma, wife, and two older mentors. Chris overcame years of undiagnosed autoimmune disease and later supported his wife as she cared for three dads.

Those experiences motivated them to care for themselves so they can continue caring for others and reduce the need for others to care for them as they age.

They chose to raise funds for Project Enhance because of their shared conviction to help older adults become more active, energized, empowered, and engaged. We will share a donation link in coming days.

Meanwhile, stay tuned for updates from the trail in your inbox and on social media – let’s all cheer them on!

Are You Exploring National Board Health Coaching Certification?

Medicare Moves Closer to Covering Health & Wellness Coaching for Board Certified Coaches

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMMS) has proposed Medicare reimbursement for Health & Wellness Coaching services under the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The proposal recognizes certification pathways endorsed by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and would allow coaching services to be delivered in healthcare and community-based settings. While not yet final, this is an important step toward greater integration of coaching into healthcare.

This development highlights the growing recognition of health and wellness coaching as a valuable component of whole-person care, supporting individuals in achieving better health outcomes through personalized guidance, behavior change, and self-management strategies.

If you are an EW Coach or EF Instructor looking for more information and professional resources, visit nbhwc.org or contact info@nbhwc.org which offers certification information, coaching standards, research, and policy updates!

Instructor Spotlight: From Forensic Science to Fitness, Bea Faulkner’s Journey of Changing Lives

People are often surprised to learn that before becoming an EnhanceFitness Instructor, I spent more than 15 years as a forensic scientist, testifying in court as a DNA expert while helping victims and families find answers and justice. Today, I still have the privilege of changing lives, just in a different way.

Each time I walk into an EnhanceFitness class, I’m reminded that movement is about so much more than exercise. It’s about helping someone stay independent, keep up with their grandchildren, or simply feel stronger than they did yesterday.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned is to meet people where they are and celebrate every victory, no matter how small. Progress isn’t measured only by reps, it lives in the smiles, laughter, and renewed confidence that fill the room.

My participants inspire me every week with their resilience, determination, and joy. They remind me that strength has no age limit and that it’s never too late to invest in your health, your independence, and your future. Being part of their journey is a true privilege.

~ Bea Faulkner 

Know Someone with AFib? They Could Help Shape Future Treatment Strategies

Please share this link with interested EF participants, where they can complete a survey to help the investigators determine their eligibility to participate: https://redcap.link/EASE-AF

Download a flyer to post at your site.

A nationwide research study funded by the American Heart Association is seeking adults with symptomatic paroxysmal AFib to participate from the comfort of their homes.

Researchers are working to better understand how increasing physical activity can improve symptoms and reduce AFib burden. Study findings could help clinicians develop more effective, patient-centered exercise recommendations for people living with AFib.

As trusted community leaders, EnhanceFitness instructors and delivery sites can play a key role by sharing the study flyer with participants, caregivers, and community partners.

✅ Conducted remotely
✅ Open nationwide to remote and in person settings
✅ Focused on helping people with AFib become more physically active

Your outreach could help connect someone with an opportunity to improve their health while contributing to important research.

Welcoming our newest EnhanceFitness instructors from CA, FL, MO and WA trained in July with EF Master Trainers Gina Casanova (AZ) and Lesley Castellanos (HI) !

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for July: UV Safety Month and more

July is Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) Safety Month, making it a great time to promote healthy outdoor habits for older adults. Summer also brings seasonal risks including wildfire smoke, heat, and water-related injuries, that can affect health and independence. At the same time, it’s important to remember that sunlight provides benefits, including vitamin D production, which supports bone health. The goal isn’t to avoid the outdoors altogether, but to help older adults enjoy summer safely through sun protection, air quality awareness, hydration, and smart recreation choices.

Sun Safety Facts (CDC)
Practical guidance on protecting skin and eyes from harmful UV exposure, including use of shade, protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Also explains how to use the daily UV Index to plan outdoor activities safely.
https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Health (CDC)
A concise overview of the benefits and risks of sun exposure. Highlights that UV rays help the body produce vitamin D, while excessive exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, eye disease, and premature skin aging.
https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/features/uv-radiation.html

Vitamin D Fact Sheet for Consumers (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)
Evidence-based information on vitamin D needs across the lifespan, including recommendations for adults age 71+ (800 IU/day). Useful for balancing messages about sun protection with the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D through food, supplements, and healthy lifestyle choices.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/

Wildland Fires and Smoke Resources (EPA/AirNow)
With wildfire season underway in many regions, this resource explains how smoke affects health, why older adults are particularly vulnerable, and how to use AQI forecasts and the AirNow Fire & Smoke Map to reduce exposure.
https://www.epa.gov/air-quality/wildland-fires-and-smoke

Safety Guidelines: Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke (CDC)
Actionable recommendations for protecting health during smoky conditions, including monitoring local air quality, improving indoor air quality, and reducing outdoor exertion when smoke levels are elevated.
https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/safety/how-to-safely-stay-safe-during-a-wildfire.html

Preventing Drowning and Water-Related Injuries (CDC)
Summer recreation often means more time near water. This resource includes water safety guidance relevant across the lifespan, including life jacket use, understanding risks in natural waters, the buddy system, and avoiding alcohol during water activities.
https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/prevention/index.html

Takeaway for ALL of us:
Healthy aging and summer safety go hand in hand. Let’s stay active outdoors while practicing sun protection, monitoring air quality during smoky conditions, staying hydrated, and using water safety precautions. And remember: sun safety doesn’t mean staying indoors all summer. Vitamin D remains important for bone and muscle health, so older adults should talk with their healthcare providers about the best ways to meet their vitamin D needs through a combination of safe sun exposure, diet, and supplementation when appropriate.

The Enhance Program Resource Portal

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

NEW! EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms Translation (Russian) now available!

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Post and Search EF Instructor Job Opportunities!

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

Now Available: On Demand EF Blended Classes for All Abilities Rollout Webinar

We’re excited to announce the national rollout of Phase III of our EnhanceFitness Inclusive Health Grant with Special Olympics. This on-demand webinar highlights blended EnhanceFitness classes—what they look like, why they matter, and how you can bring this inclusive model to your community. You’ll hear lessons learned, explore new tools, and gain insight from the YMCA of the Chesapeake in Easton, Maryland.

EnhanceFitness has long provided older adults with a proven path to better strength, balance, and overall health. However, we recognized the need to make the program more accessible for older adults with intellectual disabilities. Through the Special Olympics Inclusive Health grant, we addressed this gap by co-creating an experience designed to be welcoming and supportive for all participants. Tune in to learn what we’ve discovered and explore your new resources including a Sustainability Business Case template.

Photo: Kushang Patel, PhD Research Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington

Expanding rural access to chronic pain care through nurse care management: A hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation trial protocol: Learn about the study protocol for a hybrid effectiveness‑implementation trial testing whether nurse‑led care management can expand access to chronic pain treatment that includes EnhanceFitness participation in rural primary care settings. It aims to evaluate both patient outcomes (e.g., pain and function) and how well the intervention can be implemented in real‑world clinical practice.

Keiser B, Cortez K, Hoffman E, Wang J, Reeves K, Humbert A, Bailey RW, Shaw Welch S, Jawort S, Baldwin LM, Holtzer C, Tapp H, Ludden T, Belza B, Patel KV, Tong ST. Expanding rural access to chronic pain care through nurse care management: A hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation trial protocol. PLoS One. 2026 May 27;21(5):e0349526. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0349526. PMID: 42201860. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42201860/

Photo: Wenting Peng, PhD Candidate, University of Washington

Implementation of Enhance®Fitness: A scoping review using the RE-AIM framework: This new scoping review synthesized 33 studies on the Enhance®Fitness program using the RE-AIM framework, finding it widely implemented and effective in improving older adults’ physical and mental health while reducing healthcare use. It identified key facilitators (e.g., trained instructors, organizational support) and barriers (e.g., attendance, resources, technology), and concluded that greater focus on equity and long‑term sustainability is needed to enhance future impact.

Wenting Peng, Sarah McKiddy, Michiyo Tomioka, Dina L Maruca, Nancy M Gell, Matthew Lee Smith, Caitlin Maloy, Basia Belza, Implementation of Enhance®Fitness: A scoping review using the RE-AIM framework, The Gerontologist, 2026;, gnag102, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag102

The EASE-AF Study of Physical Activity for People with Afib (Atrial Fibrillation)

A researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York is recruiting patients nationwide with symptomatic paroxysmal afib (afib that comes and goes, lasting less than seven days) to take part in a study funded by the American Heart Association.

Research continues to find that exercise can help make afib patients feel better and even reduce the amount of afib. This patient-oriented study will be conducted remotely.

The study results are anticipated to help researchers and clinicians better design treatment strategies to help afib patients optimize their physical activity and care. The ideal candidates are those with symptomatic paroxysmal afib who are interested in increasing their physical activity level to improve their symptoms and afib burden. Competitive athletes who are already exercising at a high level are not as good a fit for this particular study.

Please share this link with interested EF participants, where they can complete a survey to help the investigators determine their eligibility to participate: https://redcap.link/EASE-AF

Download a flyer to post at your site.

EnhanceWellness: Coaching Support for Chronic Conditions

By Julia Hampton, EW Coach with Shasta Community Health Center, Redding, CA

Managing a chronic condition often means adjusting to challenges as they arise. For many EnhanceWellness participants, having a dedicated wellness coach provides steady support, encouragement, and a trusted space to stay focused on their goals.

One participant set a goal to increase her physical activity to strengthen her heart and lungs and help manage her weight. She began attending aqua aerobics at the YMCA and gradually built up to three classes a week. She also started walking twice a week, increasing from 10 minutes to 30 minutes as her stamina improved.

When an injury at her part-time job interrupted her progress, she continued meeting with her coach every other week. Together, they talked through the challenges, gave space for recovery, and identified realistic next steps for getting back to her routine.

After two months, she felt ready to return to aqua aerobics and walking. Her coach helped her rebuild stamina, set achievable goals, and recognize the progress she was making.

“It’s been so helpful to think things through with someone and stay on track with the goals I have for myself to stay healthy.”

Living with a chronic condition can bring many ups and downs, and having someone to help navigate those moments can make a meaningful difference. The EnhanceWellness Coach provides personalized support helping participants build the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to care for themselves in a way that meets the changing realities in life. 

Kim Phillips – NCOA NISC Founders Award and Mattie Taplin – IPAA Wellness Award

As highlighted by the National Institute of Senior Centers, Kim successfully transformed the (EnhanceFitness affiliated) Portage Zhang Senior Center into a state-of-the-art community hub,

increased participation dramatically, secured significant grant funding, and established partnerships that continue to benefit older adults throughout Michigan! Congratulations Kim!!

Mattie Taplin’s story is inspiring and reflects extraordinary resilience, faith in action, and a deep commitment to helping others. As both an EnhanceFitness instructor and an A Matter of Balance coach,she continues to make a meaningful impact in her community.

Congratulations to Mattie on receiving the Sound Generations Inspire Positive Aging Health & Wellness Award!!

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for June: Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month—a timely opportunity to support brain health in older adults through evidence-based strategies and education. While Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common cause of dementia in older adults, research shows that lifestyle factors—especially physical activity and cardiovascular health—play an important role in maintaining cognitive function and reducing risk.

Below are a few trusted, practical resources for EnhanceFitness instructors and EnhanceWellness coaches:

• Physical Activity & Brain Health (CDC)
  Clear, actionable guidance on how movement supports memory, thinking, and reduced dementia risk. Reinforces that any amount of activity helps, with added benefits at recommended levels.
  https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/boost-brain-health.html [cdc.gov]
• Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease: What Do We Know? (National Institute on Aging)
  A gold-standard summary of current evidence. Highlights promising (but still evolving) interventions like physical activity, blood pressure management, and cognitive training.
  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/preventing-alzheimers-disease-what-do-we-know [nia.nih.gov]
• Get Moving for Brain Health (Alzheimer’s Association)
  Practical exercise guidance aligned with federal recommendations, linking aerobic, strength, and balance activities to improved brain health outcomes.
  https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/get-moving [alz.org]
• Exercise & Cognitive Function in Older Adults (Research Review)
  Summarizes how regular physical activity supports memory, executive function, and overall cognitive resilience through improved blood flow, neuroplasticity, and reduced inflammation.
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7244966/ [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
• Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures (Alzheimer’s Association)
  Key data on prevalence, risk, and impact—helpful for understanding the scope of Alzheimer’s among adults 65+.
  https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures [alz.org]

Takeaway for ALL of us:
Regular, inclusive physical activity—combined with social engagement and healthy lifestyle habits—remains one of the most accessible and impactful ways to support brain health in older adults.

Post and Search EF Instructor Help-Wanted Listings – coming in July

Thanks to a great suggestion from long-time EF Affiliate Peter Kirk Community Center in Kirkland, WA, we are developing a way for EF Sites and Instructors to find each other a little more easily.

For many years, Project Enhance has sent out requests through our mailing list for substitute or permanent instructors to cover EF classes in King County, WA. But this has some important limitations. First, the message goes out once, and if it doesn’t find the right person at the right moment, the match isn’t made. Second, this only operates within King County, WA.

In July, we will launch a web page where EF Affiliates can post their announcements of available substitute and permanent EF Instructor positions anywhere in the country. We can keep the postings visible until they aren’t needed any longer. Instructors viewing the listings can filter or sort by their state or city to find relevant opportunities.

We hope this will help make new matches among the larger EF community and help keep classes going when an instructor moves on, or takes a well-earned vacation!

In July’s newsletter, look for the link to a form where Affiliates can submit their requests, and the link where Affiliates and Instructors can view the listings of open positions. As always, please reach out to ProjectEnhance@soundgenerations.org with any questions!

The Enhance Program Resource Portal

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

NEW! EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms Translation (Russian) now available!

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

---

REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

May is National Physical Fitness Month!

May marks National Physical Fitness Month, a perfect moment for all of us across the EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness community to celebrate the power of movement and reinforce our shared commitment to healthy aging. Whether you’re leading classes, coaching participants, studying program impact, supporting delivery, or investing in community health, this month highlights exactly why our work matters.

This year, we’re spotlighting the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and its Healthy Aging Initiative, which aligns closely with our mission to help older adults stay strong, independent, and connected. Their evidence‑based guidance reinforces what we see every day: regular physical activity improves balance, reduces chronic disease risk, boosts mood, and enhances overall quality of life.

We encourage you to explore and share ODPHP’s Move Your Way^® campaign—an accessible, motivating resource designed to help older adults find enjoyable ways to be active. The campaign includes videos, handouts, social graphics, and planning tools that can complement your classes, coaching sessions, outreach, and participant engagement.

Faith‑based organizations expand access to EnhanceFitness and support equity for Hawai‘i’s older adults

Discover how Hawai‘i’s faith‑based organizations (FBOs) are transforming access to healthy aging programs. This NCOA Age+Action conference poster presentation showcases how partnering with FBOs has expanded the reach of EnhanceFitness and strengthened equity for older adults across the islands. Since 2011, seven FBO partners have welcomed more than 500 kūpuna into evidence‑based fall‑prevention exercise programs—creating trusted, culturally grounded spaces where older adults feel supported, connected, and motivated to stay active.

You’ll explore three successful delivery models—AAA‑led, FBO‑led with community‑based instructor partnerships, and CBO‑led—that demonstrate flexible, sustainable pathways for bringing EnhanceFitness into community settings.

If you’re passionate about healthy aging, community partnerships, or expanding access to wellness programs, this is a session you won’t want to miss. Join Michiyo Tomioka, PhD, and Paula Keele, MS, EF T-Trainer, at Age+Action on May 28 from 8–9 AM and see how FBOs are helping Hawai‘i’s older adults thrive!

Spotlight Symposium: Using Technology to Bridge Gaps in Physical Activity Access and Engagement Across the Lifespan

Persistent disparities in access to physical activity continue to affect people of all ages, especially those in under‑resourced or hard‑to‑reach communities. This 2026 ACSM Annual Meeting Spotlight Symposium brings together national leaders to explore how technology can close these gaps by delivering inclusive, scalable, and community‑driven physical activity programs across the lifespan.

Designed for practitioners, researchers, and community partners, the symposium highlights real‑world digital tools and strategies that bring movement into everyday environments from homes, schools and workplaces to neighborhoods. Presenters will share practical approaches for reducing access barriers, tailoring engagement, and supporting long‑term health-related behavior change through technology.

The session features five dynamic presentations:

Amy Bantham, FACSM (Move to Live More, Belmont, MA) — Session Chair and Inspiring Active Communities with Online and Virtual Training for Community Physical Activity Leaders

Rebecca Hasson, FACSM (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI) — PBS Meets AI: Innovating Youth Fitness Through Media and Machine Learning

Paige Denison (Sound Generations, Seattle, WA) — Enhancing Access and Engagement: Tech‑Based Approaches to Active Aging with EnhanceFitness

Melissa Otterbein (Special Olympics, Washington, DC) — Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity Through Digital Technology for Individuals With and Without Intellectual Disabilities

Join us on May 27 from 3:15–4:45 PM to explore innovative, tech‑driven solutions that help people of all ages and abilities stay active wherever they are.

A Teaching Opportunity

Are you an EnhanceFitness instructor skilled in working with participants managing arthritis? We are seeking a volunteer to present to the Arthritis Foundation’s monthly Saturday support group called Movement Matters (Connect Group).  

EnhanceFitness will be spotlighted and you will have the opportunity to invite the virtual audience to move along throughout the session—it’s essentially a virtual exercise class! The final 10–15 minutes of the hour will be dedicated to a facilitated discussion. Interested in learning more? Contact Paige Denison at paiged@soundgenerations.org

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for May: Arthritis Awareness Month

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to recognize the daily realities of living with the nation’s most common cause of disability.

Evidence Spotlight: Movement as First‑Line Arthritis Care
National guidelines from CDC, the American College of Rheumatology, and OARSI all point to the same conclusion: exercise and self‑management education are the most effective non‑pharmacological strategies for managing arthritis. Activities like walking, tai chi, and strength training reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long‑term independence. Evidence‑based community programs—including EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness—are recognized as proven tools for helping older adults stay active and manage arthritis symptoms.

CDC – About Physical Activity and Arthritis
This CDC resource clearly outlines how physical activity reduces joint pain, improves function, and is safe for most adults with arthritis. It highlights joint‑friendly activities and reinforces that even short bouts of movement add up. It provides simple, actionable guidance that class leaders can reinforce in sessions and that funders and delivery organizations can cite when explaining why movement‑based programs matter.

CDC – Physical Activity and Self‑Management Education Programs for Arthritis
This page summarizes more than 20 CDC‑recognized, evidence‑based programs—including EnhanceFitness, EnhanceWellness, Walk With Ease, Tai Chi for Arthritis, and CDSMP—that are proven to reduce pain and improve daily function. It emphasizes the dual importance of exercise and self‑management education. It directly validates the evidence base behind programs your network already delivers, making it ideal for funders, researchers, and partner organizations.

2019 ACR/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for Osteoarthritis (OA) Management (Non‑Pharmacologic Section)
This is the leading U.S. clinical guideline for OA. It strongly recommends exercise, tai chi, weight management, and self‑management programs as first‑line treatments for knee, hip, and hand osteoarthritis. It is based on systematic review and GRADE methodology.

This month invites all of us to champion strategies that help individuals with arthritis move more comfortably, stay connected, and maintain independence throughout the lifespan.

EF Affiliate Is Seeking Your Spare Cuff Weights

May Funabiki, Fall Prevention Program Manager at Spectrum Community Services in CA is looking for cuff weights your site is no longer using (they have plenty of bars but need the full weights or just the cuffs). The All Pro or Gymenist brands are preferred. Spectrum Community Services would love to take them off your hands! Contact May Funabiki at mfunabiki@spectrumcs.org for details. Thank you!

The Enhance Program Resource Portal

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

NEW! EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms Translation (Russian) now available!

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Please join us for our Bi-Monthly EnhanceWellness Coach calls! Our next one is May 21st at 11a PT! Need a link? Contact Deidre – we can’t wait to see you!

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

Get Ready for Older Americans Month: Champion Your Health This May

May is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to celebrate Older Americans Month (OAM)—a national observance led by the Administration for Community Living that honors the strength, resilience, and contributions of older adults. The 2026 theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to take an active role in their well‑being through movement, connection, and informed choices.

Now is the perfect time for EnhanceFitness instructors and EnhanceWellness Health Coaches to start planning how they’ll bring this theme to life. ACL offers a variety of free, ready‑to‑use materials to help you prepare.

Explore OAM 2026 resources:

• Overview and theme materials: https://acl.gov/oam
• Posters, graphics, and outreach tools: https://acl.gov/oam/resources

A little preparation in April can make May feel special and engaging for your participants. Consider:

• Planning a themed class series—“Champion Your Strength,” “Champion Your Balance,” or “Champion Your Mobility.”
• Lining up weekly wellness tips to share in class or newsletters using ACL’s ready‑made messaging.
• Preparing conversation starters to build community, such as asking participants how they’re championing their health this week.
• Creating short educational spotlights to add at the end of class throughout May.
• Organizing a simple challenge or event, like a walking week or balance‑training day.
• Printing or sharing OAM materials so participants can explore them at home.

With a little planning now, you’ll be ready to help participants and clients feel inspired, empowered, and excited to champion their health all month long.

ACSM’s Big News on Strength Training – Why It Matters in Your Class

Every so often, a major scientific update lands that doesn’t just confirm what we do, it elevates it. The new 2026 ACSM Resistance Training Position Stand is one of those moments. After reviewing more than 30,000 participants across 137 systematic reviews, ACSM delivered a message that should feel deeply familiar to every EnhanceFitness instructor: Resistance training works. For every age. Every body. Every ability level.

One of the most striking pieces of evidence comes from research on adults over 65 who completed 24 weeks of supervised resistance training. Not a single participant failed to improve in at least one meaningful outcome. Even those who didn’t see early changes at 12 weeks made real progress by 24 weeks. The takeaway is powerful: there are no true non-responders when people stick with it long enough.

The ACSM update reinforces this idea on a larger scale. It shows that the biggest improvements don’t come from perfect programming or advanced training strategies. They come from something far more accessible: consistent participation. Whether someone uses dumbbells or their own bodyweight, the specific method matters less than the commitment to keep showing up. And that’s where EnhanceFitness instructors shine. You create the environment that makes consistency possible. You help participants feel welcome and capable. You celebrate effort, not perfection. You remind people that progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful. You turn exercise from something intimidating into something enjoyable and that’s what keeps people coming back.

The ACSM guidelines validate what you see every day: strength is not limited by age. It’s not reserved for athletes. It grows in anyone who practices it, especially when guided by someone who believes in them. So as you lead your next class, remember that the science is behind you. The ACSM update confirms it: what you’re doing is exactly what older adults need to stay strong, confident, and independent.

Coming Soon: EnhanceWellness Manual, Forms, and Resources in Russian — Thank you, NCOA!

Access to high‑quality wellness programs shouldn’t depend on language. That’s why we’re excited to announce that the EnhanceWellness (EW) manual, participant forms, and key program resources will soon be available in Russian, expanding access for Russian‑speaking older adults and the professionals who support them.

This translation initiative is made possible thanks to generous funding from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Their support is helping ensure that more communities can benefit from the proven, person‑centered approach of EnhanceWellness. These resources are being carefully translated and reviewed to maintain accuracy, cultural relevance, and fidelity to the EW model. This expansion strengthens our shared commitment to equity, accessibility, and meaningful engagement for all older adults. We look forward to sharing the completed materials soon!

What is USREPS?

The US Registry of Exercise Professionals (USREPS) is a national database that lists exercise professionals who hold current, accredited fitness certifications. It’s a reliable, centralized way to confirm that someone has the qualifications required for specific roles, like the advanced credentials needed to serve as an EnhanceFitness Master Trainer.

This quick check helps delivery organizations ensure that anyone serving as a Master Trainer meets the necessary standards—keeping programs consistent, safe, and aligned with national best practices. It’s a simple step that supports both quality and confidence across the EnhanceFitness network.

Visit usreps.org and use the search tool to look up an instructor by name.

The registry will display any active, nationally accredited certifications they hold.

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for April: Physical Wellness Month

April spotlights physical wellness as a lifelong practice—one built not on intensity or perfection, but on sustainable habits that help older adults move with confidence, maintain independence, and feel their best. For health educators, fitness leaders, and coaches working within non‑clinical scope, this month is an ideal moment to reinforce approachable routines that support strength, mobility, and overall well‑being.

Building Physical Wellness: Everyday Movement for Older Adults

A practical overview of how small, consistent bouts of activity—walking, stretching, balance practice, and light strength work—contribute to healthier aging. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity improves physical function, reduces chronic disease risk, and supports independence in older adults. Evidence:

Regular physical activity supports sleep, reduces anxiety, and improves long‑term brain and heart health.

Physical activity improves physical function and reduces age‑related decline in older adults.

Even light to moderate activity reduces all‑cause mortality risk when replacing sedentary time.

Sleep and Physical Health: Why Rest Matters

A clear explanation of how sleep supports muscle recovery, cognitive function, and emotional resilience. Non‑medical strategies—consistent routines, daylight exposure, and reduced evening stimulation—can meaningfully improve sleep quality in older adults. Evidence:

Sleep duration and quality are associated with muscle strength, mobility, and physical performance.

Poor sleep quality is linked to frailty, reduced physical activity, and exhaustion in older adults.

National Sleep Foundation recommendations highlight sleep as a key health indicator tied to physical and cognitive functioning.

Stress, Movement, and Mind‑Body Connection

Many evidence‑based resources explore how physical activity reduces tension, boosts mood, and strengthens social connection. These materials support conversations about how gentle exercise, breathing practices, and group‑based activity can help older adults manage stress and feel more grounded. Evidence:

Physical activity consistently reduces stress, anxiety, and psychological distress across adult populations.

Exercise increases endorphins, improves mood, and reduces the physiological effects of stress.

As we observe Physical Wellness Month, these reads remind us that supporting healthy aging isn’t about dramatic changes—it’s about steady, enjoyable habits that help older adults stay active, rested, and resilient.

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

March 2026 Hill Visit: Strengthening Healthy Aging Through Research‑Driven Programs

Project Enhance traveled to Washington, D.C. this month for the Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) Capitol Hill Day, meeting with legislative staff to highlight how National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Aging (NIA) investments directly strengthen community health promotion programs — like EnhanceFitness. These conversations underscored the measurable impact that proven programs have on older adults’ mobility, independence, social connection and healthcare costs —and the essential role that funders, delivery partners, and national leaders play in sustaining this work.

Across 85 congressional meetings, GSA members reinforced a shared message: A healthy research ecosystem supports us ALL as we age! Every dollar invested in aging research fuels program improvements, economic activity, and better outcomes for older adults.

The Hill Day meetings emphasized several core messages:

• Research drives innovation and program quality. NIH funded studies make it possible to develop and adapt programs for communities, and ensure they remain effective as populations and needs change.
• Community organizations are critical to reach and equity. Local delivery partners translate research into accessible, trusted programs that help older adults stay active and engaged where they live.
• Sustained research investment protects program stability. Long‑term funding and cross‑sector partnerships allow evidence‑based programs to scale, maintain fidelity, and respond to emerging health challenges.
• Implementation research strengthens real‑world impact. Continuous learning helps programs like EnhanceFitness evolve—supporting instructors, improving participant experience, and expanding reach across healthcare and community settings.

The visit also reaffirmed the importance of keeping federal partners connected to program outcomes, participant stories, and implementation insights. These relationships help shape policy discussions, elevate the visibility of evidence‑based aging programs, and strengthen the ecosystem that allows proven programs and the people they reach to thrive.

(Photo courtesy of the Gerontological Society of America)

Newly Added Publications Strengthen Evidence Base

We recently identified several important publications—brought to our attention by collaborating researchers—that had not yet been included in our online citation library. These studies deepen the evidence supporting community‑based physical activity programs for older adults and highlight the real‑world impact of implementation efforts across diverse settings. Their addition strengthens the accuracy, transparency, and usefulness of our resource hub.

Key Publications Now Added to Our Citation Library

• Batra A, Coxe S, Page TF, Melchior M, Palmer RC. Evaluating the Factors Associated With the Completion of a Community-Based Group Exercise Program Among Older Women. J Aging Phys Act. 2016;24(4):649‑658. doi:10.1123/japa.2015-0281
• Batra A, Palmer RC, Bastida E, McCoy HV, Khan HMR. Determining the Long-Term Effectiveness of a Group-Based Physical Activity Program. Health Promot Pract. 2019;20(3):401‑408. doi:10.1177/1524839918769590
• Palmer RC, Batra A, Anderson C, Page T, Vieira E, Seff L. Implementation of an Evidence-Based Exercise Program for Older Adults in South Florida. J Aging Res. 2016;2016:9630241. doi:10.1155/2016/9630241
• Petrescu-Prahova M, Harris JR, Leroux B, et al. Clinical-community linkages as a strategy for increasing evidence-based program reach: Results of the PT-REFER randomized controlled trial with older adults and YMCA associations. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2022;26:100888. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100888
• Tomioka M, Yuan S, Yago J, Medeiros C. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults Who Participate in Group Physical Exercise Program. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2024;83(7):180‑186. doi:10.62547/MQXM6470

Maintaining a complete and current citation library is essential to the integrity and effectiveness of dissemination and implementation work. Each publication deepens understanding of program reach, participant engagement, long‑term outcomes, and the systems that support successful delivery. These studies strengthen real‑world application by showing how programs function across diverse communities and changing conditions, offering insights into adherence, partnerships, and the influence of external disruptions such as the COVID‑19 pandemic. Keeping our evidence base updated also supports continuous learning, ensuring that community organizations, health systems, policymakers, and researchers have access to the most relevant and actionable findings needed to scale effective programs and adapt to emerging needs. The newly added citations reflect the collective effort of researchers, practitioners, and community partners committed to improving the health and well‑being of older adults—and they underscore our shared responsibility to maintain an accurate, comprehensive evidence base that strengthens successful implementation across communities. We invite you to explore these publications and see how the growing body of evidence continues to shape and strengthen EnhanceFitness!

NEW: Resident-Centered Fall Prevention in Senior Housing Toolkit

Thanks to funding from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Sound Generations and the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center partnered to pilot a resident‑centered fall prevention model at a low‑income senior housing community in Seattle. The goal: bring relevant, accessible health programming directly to where older adults live, shaped by their own priorities and experiences.

Listening and Planning: Focus groups with residents revealed strong interest in physical activity, social connection, and resources that support independent living. Safety concerns, limited income, and declining health were top challenges. These insights guided a multi‑component program that blended evidence‑based fall prevention, individualized support, and informal engagement opportunities.

Putting the Plan Into Action: The team began by connecting residents with on‑site Information & Assistance resources—an immediate response to needs raised in the focus groups. Partnerships with instructors, a nutritionist, and a decluttering consultant supported the rollout of an EnhanceFitness class, EnhanceWellness health coaching, A Matter of Balance workshop, and hands‑on activities like a building safety walk and healthy cooking demonstration. Layered programming helped sustain participation and reach residents with different interests and comfort levels.

Resident Experience and Impact: Participants maintained or improved physical function, gained confidence in preventing falls, and expressed high satisfaction. Residents suggested more peer‑led activities, varied scheduling, and new ways to encourage neighbors to join. Over time, the building’s social fabric strengthened—residents created a phone tree, shared resources, and even began planning a resident‑led newsletter.

What We Learned

• The model is flexible and can support fall prevention, chronic disease management, nutrition, or social connection.
• Individualized support from program leaders was highly valued.
• Flexibility and responsiveness built trust and sustained engagement.
• Strong partnerships were essential for smooth implementation.
• Resident‑to‑resident dynamics influence participation, and tailored support can help address barriers.

This resident‑centered approach not only delivered effective fall prevention programming—it helped build community, strengthen relationships, and create a foundation for ongoing, resident‑driven wellness efforts.

Check out the Full Toolkit in your Resource Portal today!

Project Enhance Receives Community Health Improvement Grant to Advance Evidence‑Based Aging Programs

Sound Generations is proud to share that we have been selected as one of only 29 organizations regionally to receive a Community Health Improvement Grant this year—an investment that strengthens the evidence‑based work of our Health & Wellness Department and Project Enhance. This support expands our capacity to improve cognitive health, reduce fall risk, and increase access to programs for older adults, including EnhanceFitness and Stronger Memory.

This year’s awards highlight the importance of community‑rooted, research‑supported initiatives that improve health outcomes for aging populations. As Julie Manas, President of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health’s Northwest Region, emphasized:
“Our Community Health Improvement Grants are one of the ways we demonstrate Virginia Mason Franciscan Health’s deep commitment to building healthy communities… This investment reflects our mission to improve health and advance social justice, directly strengthening local organizations that are doing incredible work to support families and communities in our own backyard.”

This recognition reflects the collective work of our research partners, funders, instructors and the many delivery organizations who bring these programs to life in communities across the country. Their collaboration ensures that older adults have access to high‑quality, evidence‑based programs that support strength, cognition, independence, and overall well‑being.

Read the full announcement from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Help Shape a Physical Activity Assessment for Older Adults

Wake Forest School of Medicine and Atrium Health are recruiting adults 65 years and older to help finalize the wording of a self-report physical activity assessment. Participant input is essential to ensure the questions are clear, relevant, and reflect real-world experiences.
✅ If you are 65+, they would love your perspective.
✅ If you have participants 65+, please consider sharing this opportunity with them.

Your voice can help improve how physical activity is measured and understood among older adults. Thank you for helping us make this work stronger and more inclusive.

Link for the study: Modified Physical Activity Vital Sign Flyer

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for March: National Nutrition Month

March highlights nutrition as a cornerstone of healthy aging, offering a timely opportunity to reinforce simple, research‑aligned habits that support strength, energy, and well‑being in older adults. For health educators, fitness leaders, and coaches who must stay within non‑dietitian scope, this month is ideal for promoting balanced eating patterns, hydration awareness, and supportive routines that complement physical activity and social connection.

Healthy Meal Planning: Tips for Older Adults

A practical overview of nutrient‑dense eating, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The article focuses on general, non‑prescriptive strategies—such as choosing foods with less added sugar and sodium.

About Water and Healthier Drinks

A clear explanation of why hydration matters, how dehydration affects thinking, mood, and physical function, and simple ways to drink more fluids throughout the day.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: National Nutrition Month Resources

While not a single article titled “Food, Mood, and Social Connection,” the Academy provides evidence‑based resources on healthy eating, aging, and the social aspects of nutrition. These materials support conversations about how shared meals, routine eating, and nutrient‑rich foods contribute to emotional well‑being.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month, these reads remind us that nourishing aging bodies starts with simple, steady habits that make healthy eating enjoyable, accessible, and sustainable.

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Insurance Reimbursement Update: This document will be updated as information is confirmed by both payors and delivery sites following open enrollment.

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

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Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

From Seattle to the Nation: What the Seahawks Teach Us About Teamwork in Aging and Public Health

As the Seahawks reminded us on Superbowl Sunday, a strong team isn’t defined by a single star, it’s built on trust, preparation, and the belief that every role matters. Here in Seattle, watching their steady, disciplined performance has felt surprisingly familiar. In many ways, it mirrors what you—our national network of Project Enhance delivery organizations, funders, researchers, instructors and coaches—do every day.

Public health doesn’t get roaring stadium crowds, but it absolutely requires the same ingredients that fuel great football:

• Consistency over flash
• Systems that support people to do their best work
• A culture that celebrates small wins as part of a bigger mission

The Seahawks’ success isn’t about one dramatic play. It’s the accumulation of thousands of well-executed moments. That’s exactly how evidence-based programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness create impact: one class, one conversation, one participant at a time. And when those moments stack up across the country, the result is powerful, measurable change in the health and independence of older adults.

What inspires us most is how you continue to show up with the same resilience and teamwork we see on the field. You adapt. You innovate. You support your communities with heart and skill. Whether you’re coordinating schedules, securing funding, collecting data, or leading classes, your work is the backbone of this national movement.

So from our Seattle home base (where we can’t help but draw a little inspiration from the hometown team) we want to say thank you. Thank you for your commitment and your belief in what’s possible when we work together.

Let’s carry that Seahawks spirit forward: steady, united, and always playing the long game for healthier communities.

(Photo credit: From left, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Kenneth Walker III and head coach Mike Macdonald hold the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8. Matt Slocum/AP)

EnhanceWellness Spotlight: A Listening Ear for a Healing Heart

By Flora Germany, EnhanceWellness Coach, Christian City, GA

One of our EnhanceWellness participants, an 80‑year‑old community member, came to the program during a time of deep transition and loss. In just a short period, she experienced the passing of several close friends. Not long after, her best friend suffered a fall that required a move to assisted living, another painful change that left her feeling even more isolated.

She shared that the loneliness was becoming overwhelming and that she could feel herself slipping into depression. What she needed most was someone who truly cared, someone who would take the time to listen. Through her EW sessions, she found exactly that.

Having a supportive person to talk to, someone who listened without judgment, made a meaningful difference in her day‑to‑day wellbeing. She says she no longer feels so alone, and that newfound sense of connection has motivated her to re‑engage with her life. She recently started and completed several household projects she had been putting off. She even felt encouraged enough to recommend the EW program to a neighbor!

Her story is a reminder that sometimes, a grieving heart simply needs a listening ear, and that compassion, presence, and support can be powerful steps toward healing.

A Valentine for Our EnhanceFitness & EnhanceWellness Participants ❤️

To the champions who show up with courage each day,
Who lift, step, stretch, and smile their own brilliant way—
We’re sending our love in this Valentine cheer,
For the heart you bring with you, year after year.

You turn effort into progress, and progress into pride,
Finding strength in your muscles and friends by your side.
Your balance grows steadier with each careful stand,
A quiet reminder of all you command.

You laugh through the wobbles, you celebrate the wins,
You prove wellness is built from the inside—and begins
With connection, with joy, with a spirit that starts
In strong bodies, bright smiles, and happy, determined hearts.

You make every class more than movement or reps—
You make it a place where community steps
Into confidence, friendship, and stories to share,
A room full of people who truly care.

So here’s to you—your grit, your glow, your part
In making Enhance a home for the heart.
Happy Valentine’s Day from your Project Enhance Team!
We’re honored to cheer you on.

Request for Data (Reminder)

More than 120,000
participants so far!

Sharing the total number of participants reached by EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness each year is key to making the case that these programs are important to communities all over the country.

With more affiliates using their own data management systems, we know that there are a lot of participants out there improving their health every day that aren’t included in the counts we can get from EnhanceFitness ODES and WellWare for EnhanceWellness—and we would love to have those participants represented, too, when we talk to national partners, funders and policymakers!

Just a reminder that, beginning this year, we’ll be reaching out more regularly to affiliates that don’t use the Project Enhance data platforms to request a simple headcount. This isn’t required, and we will only request from affiliates that have this data available and can provide it easily. We appreciate being able to include those participants when we demonstrate our collective reach!

Help Shape a Physical Activity Assessment for Older Adults

Wake Forest School of Medicine and Atrium Health are recruiting adults 65 years and older to help finalize the wording of a self-report physical activity assessment. Participant input is essential to ensure the questions are clear, relevant, and reflect real-world experiences.
✅ If you are 65+, they would love your perspective.
✅ If you have participants 65+, please consider sharing this opportunity with them.

Your voice can help improve how physical activity is measured and understood among older adults. Thank you for helping us make this work stronger and more inclusive.

Link for the study: Modified Physical Activity Vital Sign Flyer

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” for February: Heart Health & Healthy Habits

February brings a national spotlight to heart health, and it’s a perfect moment to reaffirm the role that movement, connection, and small daily choices play in supporting cardiovascular well‑being. For older adults, even modest increases in physical activity can strengthen the heart, boost energy, and improve overall quality of life. This month’s recommended reads highlight practical, research‑informed ways to keep hearts strong at every age.

How Physical Activity Protects the Aging Heart

Physical activity protects the aging heart by improving vascular function, reducing arterial stiffness, and enhancing the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure and inflammation. The publication also highlights that regular movement helps maintain cardiac efficiency and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, even when activity levels are modest.

Heart‑Healthy Living for Older Adults

This guide both educates and outlines everyday habits—nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management—that support long‑term cardiovascular well‑being. It reinforces how small lifestyle shifts can protect the heart as we age.

Move More, Sit Less: What the Evidence Shows

Research highlighted by the National Institute on Aging shows that regular movement—especially breaking up long periods of sitting—supports healthier blood pressure, circulation, and overall cardiovascular function. Even light activity accumulated throughout the day helps older adults reduce heart‑disease risk and maintain greater energy and independence.

Strength Training and the Heart

Harvard Health explains how building muscle supports heart function, metabolic health, and mobility. It’s a reminder that strength work is just as essential as cardio for aging hearts.

Exercise Referral: What’s Actually Changing?

This blog explores how health systems are increasingly recognizing physical activity as a core component of chronic‑disease prevention and management. It underscores the growing momentum behind exercise‑based approaches that benefit heart health and healthy aging.

As we celebrate Heart Month, these reads remind us that strong hearts are built through steady, everyday choices that keep us moving and connected.

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

“My EnhanceFitness class is perfect for me. I have been participating for 7 years and my fitness assessments are better than they were 7 years ago! I’ve added in yoga at home and I walk in my neighborhood!” -EF Participant, NM, Age 76

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Insurance Reimbursement Update: This document will be updated as information is confirmed by both payors and delivery sites following open enrollment.

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

Pima Council on Aging expands EnhanceFitness with Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative Funding from US Administration on Community Living

Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) has offered EnhanceFitness classes for over 10 years to support older adults in maintaining strength, balance and overall well-being in Pima County, Arizona. Through funding from the Administration for Community Living’s Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative to expand the work of the Dementia Capable Southern Arizona program, PCOA has expanded these efforts by starting an EnhanceFitness class tailored for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers.

This class features dementia-specific instructor training, strategies to enhance accessibility and inclusion and a dementia-friendly physical environment. Participants complete a pre-screening process to better understand the class flow, schedule, and expectations before joining. Class sizes are limited to 10-15 participants to provide a supportive and personalized experience.

Early results show promising outcomes, including reduced social isolation and improved energy and mood among participants living with ADRD and their caregivers.

Project Enhance featured on Social Prescribing USA Blog

The Social Prescribing USA movement is rapidly expanding a model of care that connects patients with non‑clinical, community‑based activities to improve health and well‑being. Rooted in evidence that social determinants account for a significant share of health outcomes, social prescribing enables healthcare providers to formally “prescribe” arts, movement, nature, and volunteerism as part of a holistic care plan. The movement emphasizes social connection, health equity, and cross‑sector collaboration to address loneliness, chronic disease, and overall quality of life.

Project Enhance programs—EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness—align seamlessly with this vision. Both programs offer structured, community‑based opportunities for physical activity, social engagement, and self‑management support. Their focus on accessible, evidence‑based movement and behavior‑change strategies mirrors the goals of social prescribing: empowering individuals to take charge of their health through meaningful, community‑rooted activities. As social prescribing grows nationwide, Project Enhance stands as a ready-made resource for providers seeking trusted, impactful programs to support whole-person health.

Project Enhance featured on the Move to Live More Podcast

We’re pleased to share that Paige Denison, Director of Project Enhance, was recently interviewed on the Move to Live More podcast with Dr. Amy Bantham. Paige highlighted the shared responsibility we all hold in supporting healthy aging across our communities. In the episode, Paige reframes aging as a stage filled with possibility, offering this powerful reminder: “Aging is really an opportunity, and not everybody gets it.”

The conversation touches on themes that we think will resonate deeply with our community leaders and partners:

• Healthy aging as a community responsibility — not just an individual task, but something shaped by the environments and supports we build.
• Social connection as essential infrastructure, especially as loneliness and isolation continue to impact older adults’ health.
• Reframing aging through strengths, challenging deficit-based narratives and honoring the resilience and goals of older adults.
• Meeting people where they are, listening first, and designing programs that reflect what older adults want to do and who they want to be.
• Evidence-based programs as tools for equity, ensuring that proven approaches reach every community, not just some.
• Restoring confidence in movement, especially after falls or health setbacks, as a critical part of maintaining independence.

Paige also shares stories from the field—moments when older adults articulate their own goals, whether it’s climbing stadium stairs to cheer on a grandchild or simply feeling steady and strong in daily life. These stories remind us why this work matters. We invite you to listen to the full conversation and follow the Move to Live More podcast as it continues to champion policy, systems, and community efforts that advance physical activity and healthy aging across the lifespan, nationwide.

Request for Data—Stay Tuned!

More than 120,000
participants so far!

Sharing the total number of participants reached by EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness each year is key to making the case that these programs are important to communities all over the country.

With more affiliates using their own data management systems, we know that there are a lot of participants out there improving their health every day that aren’t included in the counts we can get from EnhanceFitness ODES and WellWare for EnhanceWellness—and we would love to have those participants represented, too, when we talk to national partners, funders and policymakers!

Beginning this year, we’ll be reaching out more regularly to affiliates that don’t use the Project Enhance data platforms to request a simple headcount. This isn’t required, and we will only request from affiliates that have this data available and can provide it easily. We appreciate being able to include those participants when we demonstrate our collective reach!

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads” to kick off a New Year

A new year naturally invites reflection, and for many older adults, it’s the perfect moment to build routines that strengthen health, confidence, and connection. This month, we’re spotlighting the small, sustainable habits that research shows can make a meaningful difference in aging well physically, mentally, and socially

The Science of Behavior Change in Older Adults

Discover how motivation, self‑regulation, and social support uniquely shape habit formation later in life. This National Institute on Aging article breaks down the mechanisms that help older adults adopt and sustain meaningful health behaviors.
Read more ›

Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change

This workshop report from The Gerontologist highlights the multidisciplinary factors—clinical, social, psychological, and environmental—that influence long‑term behavior change in older adults. It’s a rich, research‑grounded look at what truly supports lasting healthy habits.
Read more ›

Healthy Habits for Aging Your Way

Stanford Medicine clinicians outline five practical habits that help adults in their 60s and 70s maintain mobility, independence, and cognitive sharpness. A great, accessible read for anyone looking to age well.
Read more ›

As we step into a new year, these reads remind us that healthy aging isn’t about sweeping change. It’s about consistent, intentional habits that help us thrive.

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

“My cholesterol went down … and my balance went up! It’s hard for me to do it … but I am really committed to doing this because it’s really good for my health.” – EF Participant, Age 74

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Insurance Reimbursement Update: This document will be updated as information is confirmed by both payors and delivery sites following open enrollment.

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

Thank You for Supporting Healthy Aging in Our Communities

Thank you for supporting Project Enhance and our mission to improve health and independence for older adults and people aging with disabilities. Your partnership strengthens inclusive, active communities every day.
If you’re able, we invite you to contribute. Every gift—large or small—directly supports programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness that help people thrive.

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift.

With gratitude, 
Your Project Enhance Team

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

Thank You for an Incredible Year Together

Dear Health Promotion Leaders, 

As 2025 comes to a close, Project Enhance would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our amazing partners, friends, and fellow healthy aging advocates for another impactful year working together to improve health outcomes for older adults and people aging with disabilities. 

Your partnership enables us to fulfill our mission, and your dedication is elevating the standard and sustainability of healthy, inclusive communities. We are honored to partner with organizations that share our commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and health—and that recognize the transformative power of physical activity and social connection. Programs like EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness exemplify this impact, helping older adults build strength, maintain independence, and thrive in their communities. 

Help Us Keep the Momentum Going 
As we look ahead to 2026, we invite you to help us continue this important work. Every contribution—large or small—directly supports programs that empower older adults and people aging with disabilities to live healthier, more independent lives. 

Your gift today is tax-deductible and will make an immediate impact. Together, we can create healthier, more inclusive communities for all. 

Click the button above to make your secure, tax-deductible gift before December 31.

From all of us at Project Enhance, we wish you a safe, joyful holiday season and a healthy, happy new year! 

With gratitude, 
Paige Denison – Director, Project Enhance 

Congratulations to the Alliance of New York State YMCAs: Reducing Falls and Health Care Costs!

By offering three evidence-based fall-prevention programs—including the nationally recognized EnhanceFitness developed by University of Washington, Group Health Cooperative and Sound Generations in Washington State—the Alliance of New York State YMCAs is helping over 2,700 older adults stay strong, independent, and safe. Over the course of a four-year, grant-funded project, this initiative is projected to save an estimated $2.83 million in fall-related healthcare costs. The report From Risk to Resilience: The YMCA’s Role in Reducing Falls and Health Care Costs highlights how YMCAs are leading the way in transforming communities and proving that whether you’re in New York, Washington, or anywhere in between, prevention programs can deliver lasting health and economic benefits.

EnhanceFitness Instructor Survey: Your Voice Is Shaping the Future of Instructor Support

In our November newsletter, we asked you to share your experiences because we know you’re not just leading workouts, you’re leading a movement. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our survey. Your insights are already helping us better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities in your class environments.

What We Learned
Here are a few key themes that emerged from your feedback (from 31 respondents):

• Around half have lower confidence (“not” or “a little” confident) to teach people with IDD (48%) or cognitive impairment (52%). Most are confident to teach caregivers (97% “confident” or “very confident”).
• Training videos/demonstrations and Guidance on safety & risk management are most preferred resource types (55% and 52%).
• Most would prefer online webinars (77%), short videos (71%), or printable guides (52%) to learn more about supporting participants.
• We heard from both newer and more experienced instructors, with 58% having taught for at least 3 years and 42% having taught less than 3 years. 90% of respondents are teaching 6 or fewer hours per week.

How We Are Responding

Thanks to this feedback, our initial efforts are focused on developing a self-paced online training module to explain factors affecting people aging and exercising with IDD, tips on modifying an EF class for safety and effectiveness, and sources for additional information.

For those more interested in printable guides (about half)—we are happy to share those already available in the EF Instructor Resource Portal in the Creating An Inclusive Environment section, and stay tuned for more to come!

Haven’t Shared Your Thoughts Yet?
There’s still time! If you haven’t completed the survey, we want to hear from you. Every perspective matters, and your input will help us tailor programs and support that truly meet your needs. Complete the survey before December 31st to ensure your voice is included. Start the survey here

EnhanceFitness Instructor Spotlight: Barbara Jarrell

We are proud to celebrate Barbara Jarrell, EnhanceFitness Instructor and Nationally Certified YUSA EnhanceFitness Trainer, for her extraordinary dedication to the Easton Family YMCA and every participant she serves.

Barb’s journey with EnhanceFitness began in 2010, when she was first certified as an instructor at Chesapeake College. In 2018, she brought her expertise to the Easton Family YMCA, helping launch EnhanceFitness there and building far more than classes: she built a true community of support, encouragement, and meaningful connection. Her path shows how instructors can grow their careers across organizations while continuing to impact lives.

Her commitment to program fidelity is exceptional. Each session includes warm-up, cardio, strength, balance, and cool-down components, all delivered with precision and unwavering focus on safety. She models correct form step-by-step, explains the “why” behind each exercise, and adapts movements with care to engage older adults in a welcoming environment.

Her creativity shines during cardio, where music and movement spark laughter and joy. As one participant shared, “Because of Barb’s enthusiasm, I can walk farther, climb stairs safely, and my doctor tells me to keep doing EnhanceFitness—it makes a real difference.”

What truly sets Barb apart is her heart. She notices when someone misses class and reaches out with a call, a card, or even a visit. These small acts create a big impact, reminding participants they are seen, valued, and never alone.

Barbara embodies the spirit of EnhanceFitness, strengthening bodies, lifting spirits, and weaving friendships that endure far beyond the studio. Congratulations, Barb, on this well-deserved recognition!

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads”: Our Winter Solstice Reading List

As we approach the winter solstice—the shortest day and longest night of the year—this curated reading list offers practical insights on supporting older adults’ wellness during the season. Each resource highlights strategies for maintaining health, resilience, and connection when daylight is at its lowest.

Embracing the Winter Solstice for Wellness

YMCA of the North explains how the solstice marks the shortest day and longest night, encouraging reflection and wellness practices for older adults. Read here: Embracing the Winter Solstice for Wellness

Managing Holiday Stress

Sacramento Native American Health Center discusses how the solstice coincides with holiday stress, offering strategies to reduce anxiety and maintain balance. Read here: SNAHC – Managing Holiday Stress at the Winter Solstice

Additional resources:

• U.S. News – How Older Adults Can Cope With the Holiday Blues
• Medical News Today – How to Help Older Adults With Holiday Blues
• SilverSneakers – Holiday Stress: 6 Ways Older Adults Can Cope
• UW Medicine – Keep Your Heart Content During the Holidays

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the Impacts of Short Daylight

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging explains how shorter daylight hours affect older adults, with strategies for managing SAD. Read here: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

Additional resources:

• ECU Health – Seasonal Affective Disordery
• Supportive Care – SAD in Seniors

Winter Wellness & Fitness for Older Adults

Caring Senior Service offers a winter wellness checklist covering safety, health, and emotional well-being. Read here: Caring Senior Service – Winter Wellness Checklist for Seniors

Additional fitness-focused resources:

• Better5 – Winter Workouts for Seniors
• The Not Old – Better Show (ACE) – Winter Fitness Tips for Older Adults

As the solstice passes and daylight begins to lengthen, these resources remind us that even the darkest days can be a time of renewal. By focusing on wellness now, we set the stage for healthier, more connected aging communities in the year ahead.

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

““The women & men in the group are a great support system to keep me motivated to continue to exercise. EnhanceFitness has become a necessary element in my life.”

– EnhanceFitness Participant

Continuing Education Resources: NEW Instructor Resource under the Creating an Inclusive Environment section from the Dementia Inclusive Choices for Exercise (DICE) project of the University of Waterloo (Canada)

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes.

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Insurance Reimbursement Update: This document will be updated as information is confirmed by both payors and delivery sites following open enrollment.

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare.)

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

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Project Enhance Team Update:

Responses from Project Enhance team members may be delayed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!

A monthly newsletter brought to you by Sound Generations

Staying Connected: Top stories in this newsletter

A November Thank You: Honoring Our Movement and Wellness Leaders

As we enter this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to celebrate you, our incredible EnhanceFitness Instructors and EnhanceWellness Health Coaches.

You are the heart of our programs. Every time you show up with energy, empathy, and expertise, you’re doing more than leading a class or supporting behavior change – you’re building strength, resilience, and connection. You’re helping older adults move with confidence, live with purpose, and feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Our work together is grounded in science, but it’s powered by heart. Whether you’re cueing a sit to stand with intention or guiding a conversation that sparks meaningful change, you’re creating spaces where people feel safe to grow, try, and thrive. That’s no small thing!

We know the impact you make isn’t always visible in the moment. It is felt in every step someone takes with more stability, every choice made with more clarity, and every smile shared in community. You’re helping people stay upright, stay independent, and stay engaged in life.

So this November, we thank you. For your consistency. For your compassion. For your commitment to excellence. You are changing lives, and we are so lucky to have you leading the way.

With gratitude, Your Project Enhance Team

Help Shape the Future!

EnhanceFitness Instructor Survey

You’re not just leading workouts — you’re leading a movement. We’re gathering insights from you to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities in your class environments. Your experience matters, and your feedback will help shape resources, programs, and support tailored to instructors.

Take our quick survey and make your impact felt.
👉 Start the Survey Now

EnhanceFitness Featured in Center for Inclusive Health Newsletter

We’re proud to share that EnhanceFitness (EF) was recently spotlighted in the Center for Inclusive Health Newsletter — a recognition that underscores our commitment to inclusive, evidence-based programming for older adults of all abilities. As we celebrate the vital role older adults play in our communities, we must also acknowledge the unique health challenges they face — particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Falls, cognitive decline, loneliness, and preventable health conditions disproportionately affect this population, contributing to a significantly shorter life expectancy.

EF, developed by the University of Washington, Group Health and Sound Generations, is designed to reduce fall risk and improve overall health through group exercise. With nearly 43% of Special Olympics athletes showing signs of imbalance, inclusive fitness programs like EF are more important than ever. By adapting EF to better serve adults with IDD, we’re helping build stronger, safer, and more connected communities.

This national recognition affirms the power of inclusive health initiatives — and the impact we can make when we prioritize equity in aging. We extend our sincere thanks to Special Olympics International for funding inclusive health initiatives that make programs like EF more accessible to adults with IDD.

New Contracting & Service Authorization Process for EnhanceFitness in WA

EnhanceFitness is now a formal Client Support Training service under Washington State’s long-term care programs. This means Washington State delivery organization can now be authorized and reimbursed for delivering EnhanceFitness classes to eligible participants across a wider range of programs. Stay tuned for further updates or contact your Area Agency on Aging representative with contracting or service questions. We look forward to continuing our shared mission of improving lives through evidence-based health promotion programs!

Physical Activity Alliance Meeting Recap

The Director of Project Enhance recently joined the Physical Activity Alliance Symposium in Alexandria, VA — From Evidence to Impact — a powerful reminder of what’s possible when research meets community.

EnhanceFitness began as a clinical trial in 1993. Today, it’s a nationally scaled program helping older adults stay strong, connected, and independent. With support from partners like YMCA of the USA, we’re meeting the moment and expanding access to inclusive, evidence-based physical activity across the country.

Project Enhance “Recommended Reads”: Our November Gratitude Reading List

Continuing our theme of reflection and gratitude, this month’s curated reads explore the science and stories behind healthy aging, emotional wellbeing, and purposeful living. From physical activity and mental health to the power of gratitude, these articles offer fresh insights for health practitioners, fitness professionals, and aging network staff working to support older adults in thriving across the lifespan

Physical Activity & Healthy Aging

Moving as We Age: Effects of Physical Activity Programs on Older Adults – Geriatrics
An umbrella review of 186 studies showing how physical activity improves physical and mental health in adults aged 70+, with insights into group vs. solo interventions.
Read the review

Physical Activity from the Perspective of Older Adults – BMC Geriatrics
A mixed-methods study using the COM-B model to explore what motivates older adults to stay active and how interventions can be tailored.
Explore the study

Report: Adults 50 and Older Need More Physical Activity – CDC
A public health call to action highlighting disparities in activity levels and offering community-based strategies to promote movement.
View the CDC report

Mental Health & Aging

The Mental Health Landscape of Older Adults in the U.S. – Brookings
A data-rich analysis of depression, suicide, and psychological distress in older adults, with policy implications for care and prevention.
Read the Brookings article

Mental Health Interventions With Older Adults – Oxford Academic
A policy-focused review of randomized trials and social determinants of mental health in aging populations.
Explore the article

The Economic Case for Investing in Healthy Aging: Lessons from the United States – McKinsey
This article argues that investing in healthy aging can yield significant economic and societal returns by reducing healthcare costs, extending workforce participation, and improving quality of life for older adults. It highlights the need for cross-sector collaboration and policy innovation to scale proven interventions that support aging populations.
Read the McKinsey article

Less Cognitive Decline, More Cognitive Resilience among ‘Oldest-Old’ – Harvard School of Public Health
A new Harvard study reveals that individuals aged 85 and older show surprising cognitive resilience, with many maintaining stable memory and thinking abilities over time. These findings challenge assumptions about aging and underscore the importance of promoting brain health throughout the lifespan.
Explore the article

Gratitude & Emotional Wellbeing

Gratitude and Longevity in Older Adults – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
A landmark study showing that older adults with higher gratitude scores had a 9% lower risk of death over four years.
Read the Harvard study

Gratitude Makes You Live Longer – MGH Psychiatry News
A deeper dive into the Nurses’ Health Study findings, exploring how gratitude may influence cardiovascular health and emotional resilience.
Explore the article

The Best Years of Your Life Are Probably Still Ahead – TIME
Stanford psychologist Laura Carstensen explains that emotional well-being tends to improve with age, with people experiencing fewer negative emotions and richer emotional lives starting in their 40s and 50s. Her research challenges the myth that youth is the peak of life, highlighting aging as a time of greater emotional balance and deeper social connection.
Read the Time Article

We’re deeply grateful to our funders, partners, community leaders, and participants whose commitment and collaboration continue to make Project Enhance a powerful force for healthy aging and purposeful living.

Expanded program resources are available to licensed EF and EW Affiliates and active EF instructors

Discover how working with an EnhanceWellness Coach at the Whitney Senior Center in Minnesota has transformed Peg’s experience with solo aging — proving that support, connection, and wellness can redefine what aging alone looks like.

Continuing Education Resources:

• Special Olympics Guide to Support Inclusion of Adults Aging with IDD in EnhanceFitness Classes is available in the EF Instructor and EF Affiliate Resource Portals.
• NEW: National Center for Health Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) has a new Learning Management System. Log in to your EF Instructor Resource Portal to access NCHPAD’s Disability Education Training for Fitness Providers.

Training Resources update for EF Master Trainers: Updated In-Person and Remote New Instructor Training Slide Decks for July 2025 – December 2026 are available that include EnhanceFitness Instructor Manual v2025 references in slide notes

Curriculum Resources for EF Instructors and EW Coaches: Updated EF Instructor Manual (English, Spanish) and EW Coach Manual Translations (Chinese, Spanish) and EnhanceFitness + Stronger Memory Participant Activity Packet (English)

Insurance Reimbursement Update: This document will be updated as information is confirmed by both payors and delivery sites following open enrollment.

Remember: Resources are available through the EnhanceFitness Instructor and Affiliate Resource portals and EnhanceWellness Affiliate Resource portal, so be sure you’ve registered for your account if you are staff with an EF or EW Affiliate or a current EF Instructor! (EW Coach Resources are found in WellWare)

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REMINDER! Pay invoices any time—day, night or weekends!

Project Enhance invoices can be paid by credit card online through a secure web portal.

The link to the payment portal is included in the email sent with each invoice and on the invoice PDF itself. You can also find it on our website under Contact Us.

---

Project Enhance Team Update:

Responses from Project Enhance team members may be delayed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Let us help you build your capacity to reach more people and improve lives. Join upcoming EF Trainings and EW Trainings or contact projectenhance@soundgenerations.org to schedule yours today!