Health care and senior well-being

Growing older doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down. It can be a time to get stronger, try something new, make friends, and maybe have a little more fun along the way. 

That philosophy is at the heart of Spry Senior, a MetroHealth Community Connection designed for adults 55 and older. With locations in Brook Park, Solon and Strongsville, the practice takes the traditional primary care experience and expands it into something richer—a community centered on helping people celebrate their well-being.

“We’re looking at the experience of wellness as more than just going to the doctor,” says Laurie Delgado, director at Spry Senior. “We’ve flipped the script and it looks different every day. We offer holistic opportunities for fitness, health education and socialization, along with having more time with your provider.”

That can include meeting with a physician for preventive appointments, getting lab work done on-site and then staying for Tai Chi, chair yoga, strength training or cardio drumming. On another day, it might be attending a fascinating Lunch & Learn, playing birthday bingo, joining a craft activity or simply popping in for coffee and conversation.

Setting Health & Wellness Goals

For Maria Geier, a retired registered nurse and longtime Spry Senior member, the difference is all about time.

“The first visit is an hour, and the doctor goes over everything from beginning to end,” she says. “They listen and have an understanding of what your goals are for your health. It’s proactive rather than reactive, which is how health care really should be.”

Maria, 73, appreciates having an on-site lab and access to same-day appointments. She also loves joining in at chair yoga and SilverSneakers Classic, a strength-focused class.

“The instructors are very in tune with seniors,” says Maria. “I tell people about Spry Senior all the time. The nurses are awesome. Everybody knows me and it’s personable.”

A Place to Belong

That same sense of belonging also struck Luba Rudyak, 63. After learning about the personalized care and welcoming environment at Spry Senior’s Brook Park location, Luba, who emigrated from Ukraine in 1994, decided to make Spry Senior her healthcare home.

“I’m so happy,” she says. “They are wonderful. I love coming here. It’s like family.”

For Luba, who has long enjoyed hiking and even whitewater rafting, the fitness and social opportunities were a natural fit. She also likes cardio drumming and hopes to take advantage of more programs.

But what matters most is the relationship she’s developed with her physician.

“The doctor is always listening to my side of the story,” she says.

Karen Lee understands that feeling, too. At 84, she was among the earliest members at Spry Senior’s Strongsville location and quickly became an enthusiastic participant in everything from exercise to art programs, lectures and bingo.

“I’ve met so many nice people,” she says. “You learn something all the time.”

She particularly values the attention she receives during medical appointments. Before each visit, she writes her questions on 3-by-5-inch cards, so she won’t forget anything.

“My doctor always asks, ‘What’s on your card today?’ and we go through them,” she says, laughing. “They take as much time as needed. I never feel rushed.”

And that’s what this novel practice model is going for. Rather than separating medical care from the rest of life, it puts it all under one roof. Same-day access, the on-site lab, transportation assistance, low-cost prescriptions and virtual care options are designed to remove some of the frustrations people encounter when navigating healthcare.



As Karen simply sums it up: “I’ve already gone through the stresses in my life. Now all I want to do is enjoy it!”

Spry Senior

• 14770 Snow Road, Brook Park
• 5855 Harper Road, Solon
• 15201 Pearl Road, Strongsville

440-592-6200

SprySenior.com