May - August 2023 Volume 30 Number 2
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Roland Ford inspires older adults to dance their way to health and wellness
Roland Ford leads one of his many Dance and Be Fit classes.
By Gina Mazza He’s been affectionately called an inspiring poster child for older adults—and for good reason. Roland Ford, 74, of Wilkinsburg not only epitomizes healthy, active aging, he literally steps up to do his part to help other seniors do the same. Roland can be found leading line dancing classes in every corner of Allegheny County and beyond through his business—appropriately named Dance and Be Fit. A lifelong marathon runner and fitness buff, Roland discovered line dancing when he was invited to a class in 2006. Just a few months later, in March 2007, he began teaching his first exercise class at the Homewood YMCA. By the time Roland retired from his position as a social caseworker with
the Department of Public Assistance in 2013, he had already connected with others around the United States who were doing various forms of urban dance, and was teaching classes for others who were seeking fun ways to stay fit. Then in 2017, Roland shifted his focus to creating exercise routines for people who don’t normally dance or exercise, or who have physical or other limitations that prevent them from doing so. “What motivated me was a desire to help more individuals and groups, especially the underserved, enjoy the benefits of developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Roland shares. “We make it fun and easy, and nobody gets left out. For instance, I just
did a program at Reformed Presbyterian Senior Home on the North Side that was all wheelchair participants. Soon I’ll be doing a program for people who have mental challenges. I find some basic stuff that works for everyone—including those who are blind, hard of hearing, or have physical disabilities. The routines engage everybody equally, and you don’t need any particular experience or skill. The whole idea is about helping people and making a difference in their lives.” Dance and Be Fit classes are primarily geared towards the older adult population, and Roland regularly teaches at senior centers, senior high rises, wellness expos, festivals, community centers and many other places around town. He is a regular at places Lemington Senior High Rise in Lemington, Forward Shady Apartments in Squirrel Hill, Midtown Towers downtown and William Moorhead Towers in Oakland. He also has ongoing classes at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District and Homewood-Brushton YMCA. The accompanying music is typically from the Sixties and Seventies, or earlier eras that appeal to seniors. Continued on page 13
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