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Age Up Well Taos asks council for funding to keep elder fitness classes affordable
Summary
Age Up Well Taos asked the council for financial assistance to continue elder fitness classes that serve dozens of seniors, keep fees at $5 or free, and provide health education and social support that help elders remain independent.
Bonnie Golden, founder and director of Age Up Well Taos, asked the Town of Taos for financial assistance to continue and expand fitness and peer-support programming for older adults.
Golden told the council the program serves people aged roughly 63 to 89, often drawing more than 40 participants per day at classes held in the Encore Gallery at the Taos Center for the Arts. The program offers balance, strength and flexibility training, and Golden said a recent participant survey reported improvements in flexibility (80%), balance (60%), strength (60%), coordination (70%) and functional movement (80%). The classes operate at a $5 price point or are free for attendees unable to pay; Golden said town support would allow the group to expand programming such as fall-prevention and foot-and-ankle health.
Several participants spoke in support, including K McNair, who gave personal testimony about the program’s role in preventing isolation and supporting independent living. No council vote or formal appropriation was taken during Citizens Forum; Golden's request was entered on the public record and referred to staff for follow-up.
Council members acknowledged the value of the program and the constraints of municipal budgets; staff and council indicated community funding requests like this would be considered in upcoming budget discussions and outreach with partners including Taos Main Street and local health providers.
Next steps: staff follow-up for a formal funding request or grant/partnership options was requested.
