Vanderbilt Dayani Center for Health & Wellness

What is a Senior Wellness Program?

The Senior Wellness program is a comprehensive approach to the prevention of disease and disability for those over 65 years of age.

Why is it necessary to have a special wellness program for those over 65 years of age?

Most individuals who have lived for 65 years have endured some change to their mind, body or spirit. The Dayani Senior program doesn't promise to eliminate these changes, but does offer a safe environment to identify these changes, slow down progression of these changes, and/or improve those changes that have already occurred.

How is the Dayani Senior Wellness program different?

There is additional caution taken prior to prescribing an exercise/wellness program for our senior members. An evaluation is conducted to determine whether time has affected hearing, vision, balance, flexibility, cardiac or pulmonary function, cognitive ability, nutritional health and activities of daily living. These are all assessed by a nurse practitioner and evaluated prior to the senior initiating a wellness/exercise program.

How do I become a senior member at the Dayani Center?

Step One:  Meet with the membership coordinator to learn the benefits and risks of the wellness program.

Step Two: Meet with the nurse practitioner who will assist you in completing a functional evaluation that ensures that optimal safety precautions are taken while exercising.

Step Three: Schedule an appointment for a fitness evaluation. 
The fitness evaluation includes a stress test on a piece of equipment that is appropriate for your physical state (i.e. treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical).  Additional strength and flexibility testing is also done prior to the assignment of exercise.

Once an assignment has been made, a geriatric exercise specialist will provide you one-on-one training.

Professional staff members are available for periodic consultation as needed. 
 

Special Programs Offered for Seniors

• Senior Aquatics
• Senior Stretch & Tone
• Senior Tai Chi 
• Informal lunches with travelogues, holiday presentations by other senior members, etc.
• Access to cooking classes, group health education, and periodic free health screenings such as bone density and cholesterol. 
   
  
  
   

For More Information

Please contact the Dayani Center at (615) 322-4751. You may also contact Barbara Forbes, R.N., G.N.P. at barbara.forbes@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 343-7309.