YMCA of Metro Detroit announces new ‘Y Legacy’ program

A group of Metro Detroit YMCA members stretch during a recent fitness program.
For more than 170 years, the YMCA of Metro Detroit has helped families and seniors stay healthy, gain confidence, make connections, and feel secure at every stage of life. To ensure that tradition continues now and into the future, the Y is announcing changes to the Medicare-funded fitness programs it accepts and is offering a new, deeply discounted ‘Y Legacy Membership’ for current SilverSneakers® members.
Beginning January 1, 2024, the YMCA’s seven metro Detroit branch locations will partner with the programs Silver&Fit, Peerfit Move and Renew Active and will no longer be accepting SilverSneakers®. Medicare Fitness Members currently with SilverSneakers® will be eligible for a new, all-access legacy membership for just $25.50 per month, approximately half the cost of a typical membership.
Adult +1 will cost $40 monthly. Scholarships are also available for those who meet financial eligibility requirements.
“We love our active older adults. They are a significant and valued part of the YMCA community, and we are proud to provide a wide variety of programs that promote social interaction and prolong good health,” said Latitia McCree-Thomas, Senior Vice-President Communications and Marketing for the YMCA of Metro Detroit.
“That’s why we created the Y Legacy Membership. We want to make this transition as smooth as possible for our members while also taking decisive action to strengthen the Y in the communities we serve.
Adjusting for the long haul
“The pandemic hit the YMCA of Metro Detroit especially hard,” Thomas continued. “As a nonprofit, we’ve had to make some tough decisions, including closing three branches.

“We are committed to continuing to offer as many programs and services as possible to our broad base of members, including seniors, at an affordable price. After careful consideration, we have determined that the SilverSneakers® model is not sustainable for the Y’s long-term future.”
In 2024, members who would like to transition from SilverSneakers to the Y Legacy Membership can speak to a representative at their local YMCA. They can also check with their health care provider to sign up for Silver&Fit, Peerfit Move or Renew Active, if those Medicare-funded fitness programs are offered. Y is actively working with health insurance companies to help seniors during this transition.

Presently, the YMCA serves over 41,000 children and families annually, including 18,000 children and 11,000 seniors ages 55 and older.
Several branches participating
The seven YMCA branches launching the new Y Legacy Membership program are:
- Birmingham Family YMCA, 400 E. Lincoln St., Birmingham, MI 48009
- Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226
- Carls Family YMCA, 300 Family Drive, Milford, MI 48381
- Downriver Family YMCA, 16777 Northline Road, Southgate, MI 48195
- Farmington Family YMCA, 28100 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
- Macomb Family YMCA, 10 North River Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
- South Oakland Family YMCA, 1016 West Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
“Helping our older adults adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles is incredibly important to our YMCA, but we must do so in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Thomas.
“We are committed to helping our Medicare Fitness members transition with ease, so they can continue to participate in their favorite classes and activities with the people they know and love.”
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