Enjoy the living process in good health
(Note: Please enjoy one of the stories we will feature in our spring edition of Healthy Attitudes magazine, which is mailed to households within the District. If you live outside the District and would like to receive the magazine in the mail, please email info@camhealth.com.)
When we think about living, we don’t always correlate it with aging. But every day we age and how we choose to LIVE – our choices like diet, exercise, sleep, relationships, activities – shape how we age.
It’s never too early (or late) to make small lifestyle changes. If you are physically able, climb the stairs instead of riding the elevator, park a little farther from the entrance, eat the rainbow (not the candy but put more color on your plate like vegetables, fruits and whole grains), sleep a few minutes longer, or accept a friend’s invitation to socialize. These simple steps can impact your well-being for the better.
Camarillo Health Care District’s classes, programs and services are designed to help put these choices into action – to put you in the driver’s seat, on your way to a healthier future. You can meet with a nutrition counselor, register for a 10-week Tai Chi or yoga series, join our Walking Group, or participate in BALANCEfit, POWERfit, and SMARTfit training. Programs like Bingocize and Pedaling the Planet VR offer additional ways to stay active while engaging your mind.
Physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Increasing your daily movement supports mobility, balance, strength and overall wellness. That’s why we’ve developed SMARTfit, a program that uniquely combines cognitive and physical training to help you stay sharp in both mind and body.
SMARTfit is part of our Activate Program, which also includes BALANCEfit and POWERfit. Using engaging, game-like exercises, SMARTfit strengthens neural pathways, improves coordination, enhances decision-making and helps participants process information more efficiently. The system is designed for all ages and abilities and delivers preventive and rehabilitative benefits for both cognitive and motor functions.
Participants enjoy:
- Faster, smarter decision-making while moving
- Improved balance, coordination, and speed
- Greater focus and mental “flow”
- Strengthened cognitive reserve to support long-term brain health
SMARTfit is safe, motivating, and fun – exercise disguised as a game, so participants remain engaged while building physical and cognitive resilience.
To join the SMARTfit interest list, call 805-388-1952. A fall prevention specialist will contact you to schedule your one-on-one appointment. The cost is $25 per session.
NEED TO KNOW
- 72 people have completed the District’s SMARTfit program
- 100% responded they were “very satisfied” with their SMARTfit experience at the District
- 86% reported they felt more comfortable increasing their physical activity
- 86% felt their ability to understand and process directions had improved because of their participation in the SMARTfit program
Reza’s mobility is limited, and he uses walking sticks to stay active. But that hasn’t slowed him down. Exercising at least three times a week, he has participated in all of Camarillo Health Care District’s fall prevention programs to remain engaged, independent and confident in his daily life. He has even taken some programs (like SMARTfit) more than once!
District fall prevention staff approach each session with a person-centered focus. When Reza began SMARTfit, the staff tailored each session to his capabilities. His wife, Lynne, says, “it’s not just exercise,” noting that the program provides an opportunity for Reza to “stay sharp, strong and engaged at the same time” by using his thinking skills while working on coordination and movement. This is the focus of SMARTfit and what sets it apart from other classes. Like its counterparts, BALANCEfit and POWERfit, SMARTfit offers dual-task training, which combines cognitive challenges with physical activity to improve balance, response time and reduce fall risk. Each participant completes a baseline assessment, and a personalized program is developed with recommended training games.
Patty, an avid hiker who has stayed active her whole life, turned to SMARTfit at 75 to maintain her coordination and balance. She attends 30-minute sessions twice a week and plans to add BALANCEfit next. “I thought to myself, ‘I need to do anything I can to keep my balance and continue hiking,’” she said. “I’m also interested in programs that help improve my mental capacity and memory.”
Patty’s favorite hikes
· Santa Rosa Valley Park, 10241 Hill Canyon Road, Camarillo
· Sycamore Canyon Trail in Point Mugu State Park, 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
· Wildwood Regional Park, 928 W. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks
Patty’s tip
Inquire about a free vehicle day-use pass for the state parks at your local library.
In 2025, 67% of SMARTfit participants showed measurable improvements in balance, gait, or leg strength by the end of their program, according to Mikaela Northrup, the District’s Fall Prevention Coordinator. The makers of SMARTfit emphasize that repeated practice builds the neural networks necessary for efficient physical performance. By combining cognitive challenges with movement, the program stimulates the entire brain-body system, helping participants perform at their best, both mentally and physically.
Reza and Patty’s stories show how personalized, engaging programs like SMARTfit help older adults stay active, confident and connected, keeping both mind and body strong for the life they want to live.
