Healthy Aging
Quality of life matters at every age! Our Healthy Aging programs support adults 50 and older in achieving two key goals: staying socially engaged and maintaining independence to age in place. We provide wellness training, education, and resources tailored to each individual’s health needs and lifestyle, helping them stay active in meaningful daily activities. Social connections are a cornerstone of our programs, whether through participating in classes, attending special events, or meeting new people at the J. Whether you’re on your own journey or supporting a loved one, our programs aim to enhance overall well-being and quality of life. Join us to find resources and connections that support your personal aging journey.
Featured Events
Movement/arts immersion group classes
Social engagement helps reduce stigma and isolation. These group classes are intended for older adults in the early/mild stage of dementia to continue pursuing their interests and making connections.
Movement/Arts Immersion Group Classes are intended for older adults in the early/mild stage of dementia to continue pursuing their interests and make new connections with others. Social engagement helps reduce stigma and isolation, and it fosters interaction and engagement with others. Through structured three-hour classes, participants enjoy movement/dance, arts, music, games, and discussions of current events or sports.
A formal application is required for this specialized program to ensure the best fit for all participants. Please contact Linda Travis, Director of Healthy Aging, at ltravis@tucsonjcc.org for more information.
Physical Training for older adults
These 1:1 sessions with a Certified Personal Trainer are intended for those older adults in the early/mild stage of dementia that are participants in the Movement/Arts Immersion Group Classes. The focus is to help you meet your specific health and wellness goals.
Build Stronger, Healthier Bones and Muscles
For anyone experiencing bone loss due to Osteoporosis or Osteopenia, it is critical to build stronger and healthier bones and muscles as part of overall healthy aging and maintaining independence. This six-session group fitness class is designed to help each participant develop a safe, personalized exercise program, including lifting weights, for continued use after the class.
Physiologist and Corrective Exercise Specialist Mary Maher is the instructor for this popular J course. Mary brings over 10 years of expertise based on evidence-based protocols, sound clinical judgment as a personal trainer, and a keen ability to integrate the most recent science with attention to the unique circumstances of each class participant. For example, she will review your DEXA results and make recommendations, such as the use of weighted vests, when observing your abilities and creating a personalized exercise program.
Build Stronger, Healthier Bones and Muscles – 2026
- 2:30 PM to
- 3:25 PM
Bone Health Template Training
For some people, it is preferred to schedule a one-to-one, two session package with Mary Maher. With this option, the price is the same as the class session. An enrollee in this one-to-one format has a maximum of three months between session one and session two, so please plan accordingly if selecting this option.
Physiologist and Corrective Exercise Specialist Mary Maher is the instructor for this popular J course. Mary brings over 10 years of expertise based on evidence-based protocols, sound clinical judgment as a personal trainer, and a keen ability to integrate the most recent science with attention to the unique circumstances of every participant. For example, she will review your DEXA results and make recommendations, such as the use of weighted vests, when observing your abilities and creating a personalized exercise program.
Parkinson's Exercise Wellness Program
Generously sponsored by Judy Ruben of Blessed Memory
“You Belong Here: Creating a Dementia Friendly Environment at the Tucson J” is supported by The Sephardic Foundation on Aging
LGBTQ+ Resources
The J Healthy Aging Programs are proud to reach out to the Southern Arizona older adult LGBTQ+ community for participation in our programs. We have worked to make the Healthy Aging Programs more welcoming to the older adult LGBTQ+ community, and all loved ones-partners, spouses, adult children, siblings, and families of choice-are welcome in our family meetings and lecture series. Your health and wellness matter to us. Bring your experiences and ideas to create a wellness or fitness program tailored to your unique needs. You know what is best for you at this time.
You belong here, as everyone is welcome at the J!
For more information, please contact Linda Travis, Director of Healthy Aging. Linda can be reached at ltravis@tucsonjcc.org and looks forward to talking with you.
- SAGE National LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline: connects older adults with resources: 877.360.LGBT (5428)
- Southern Arizona Senior Pride
- LBGT + Dementia Issues Brief
- LGBTQ Caregiving Guide
- Cancer + LGBTQ
Building a Dementia-Friendly Community
Did you know the Tucson J is working toward becoming a certified Dementia-Friendly Community? Currently, all individuals, including those living with dementia, are welcome to participate in any of our group fitness classes, but we’ve designated some dementia-friendly classes that are particularly suited for those with dementia. Classes with a sunflower icon next to them are open to everyone but are taught by instructors who have received increased training to better support participants with dementia, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable, included, and empowered to enjoy movement.
These sessions are led by Linda Travis, Psy.D, Director of Healthy Aging. Linda is a licensed psychologist and brings over three decades of experience in aging and health through clinician, scholar and educator roles in higher education and community settings. She particularly enjoys helping families consider relationship changes in navigating the joys and challenges of aging.