Delnor revamping popular senior program

For 11 years Delnor Hospital has offered a senior citizens health program for little to no cost to members.

Senior Vitality offered health screenings, education and Medicare counseling. On the anniversary of its founding each year, it hosted a party where celebrities such as radio host Paul Harvey, former First Lady Barbara Bush and actor Jerry Lewis spoke.

But its most popular part has been the specialty exercise classes it offered members for free.

Things are changing, however; the hospital informed members last week that, starting Nov. 1, they will have to pay for those workouts.

It's choosing, instead, to spend more money offering health screenings throughout its service area.

"The only change is, Delnor always covered 100 percent of the cost of classes," said Deborah Danner, senior marketing and public relations specialist for the hospital. The new fee will cover the cost of instructors and equipment, she said. The hospital will still pay administrative costs, and the rental fees for offsite rooms.

The once-a-week classes will now cost $30 per quarter, working out to $2.50 a session. They've been rolled in to the overall community outreach programming; there's no Senior Vitality "membership" any more.

"The only portion being utilized heavily (lately) was the exercise," Danner said.

Karin Podolski, director of community health and outreach, said lately there were about 500 participants. Some take more than one exercise class.

"We've put our resources into more screenings and programs throughout the year," such as stroke risk assessments, she said. "We haven't decreased any funding for the program."

Overall, the hospital expects to spend $388,932 for its senior outreach program by the end of its fiscal year, which ended Monday, according to Podolski. It falls under the $5 million "community support activities" section of the hospital's $51 million "community benefits" expenditures.

The fee news had some exercisers at last Thursday's seated cardiovascular class at First Baptist Church in Geneva talking about whether they will continue with what they are doing, cut back, or see whether there are other options in the area that cost less.

"That's $720 a year if we stay with three classes," said Squire Ostrander of St. Charles, who takes the classes with his wife, Diane. He suspects fewer people will sign up, and that will lead to fewer classes being offered. "We might stay with two. It's going to be hard for us to do both."

"I believe in the exercise program and I hope people feel $2.50 a class is worth their health," said instructor Sue Choice, noting the benefits of regular exercise in keeping seniors healthy and independent.

Maggie Hill of Geneva, age 94, said the cost won't deter her.

"It's important to keep moving," she said.