Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
At first glance, it looks like a fitness class, but St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s Stay Well program is anything but typical. The prescription exercise program treats movement like preventative medicine to support the physical and mental health of older adults and people with mobility challenges, frailty or higher risks of falls.
“At any stage in life, you need to be exercising to help with your physical, mental and social well-being,” says Javaria Bhatti, a program assistant at Stay Well. “We try to be as holistic as possible and work in a little bit of everything including cardio, strength and balance training.”
Offered at St. Joe’s King and West 5th campuses, Stay Well provides specially designed group exercise classes where participants work on their balance, flexibility, muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness in a supportive, community setting that encourages continued engagement with the program.
“A lot of people don't enjoy exercising and do it because it feels like something they need to do,” says Myan Miller, program assistant with Stay Well. “But the friendships clients build with each other makes it make it more enjoyable to participate.”
Anyone can be referred to the Stay Well, although they require a medical clearance from their physician before acceptance into the program.
Learn more at: stjoes.ca/hospital-services/senior-care-services/stay-well-program
At first glance, it looks like a fitness class, but St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s Stay Well program is anything but typical. The prescription exercise program treats movement like preventative medicine to support the physical and mental health of older adults and people with mobility challenges, frailty or higher risks of falls.
“At any stage in life, you need to be exercising to help with your physical, mental and social well-being,” says Javaria Bhatti, a program assistant at Stay Well. “We try to be as holistic as possible and work in a little bit of everything including cardio, strength and balance training.”
Offered at St. Joe’s King and West 5th campuses, Stay Well provides specially designed group exercise classes where participants work on their balance, flexibility, muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness in a supportive, community setting that encourages continued engagement with the program.
“A lot of people don't enjoy exercising and do it because it feels like something they need to do,” says Myan Miller, program assistant with Stay Well. “But the friendships clients build with each other makes it make it more enjoyable to participate.”
Anyone can be referred to the Stay Well, although they require a medical clearance from their physician before acceptance into the program.
Learn more at: stjoes.ca/hospital-services/senior-care-services/stay-well-program
