ACTIVE AGING WEEK
The week surrounding International Day of Older Persons, October 1 is Active Aging Week. For an entire week, we celebrate aging and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as we get older. The goal is to give older adults the means to experience wellness activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere.
An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have.
The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.― Agatha Christie
Older people who actively focus on a healthy, vibrant lifestyle are those who avoid the dangers of sedentary aging.
6 Reasons to Stay Active as You Age
Every 29 minutes an older adult dies from a fall.
Strength and balance training programs can reduce falls by 40%.
Half of those 65+ who have fallen will fall again within the next 12 months.
About 1,800 falls in older adults result in death.
One-fourth of older people who have a hip fracture from a fall die within six months of the injury.
9,500 deaths in older adults each year are correlated with a fall.
HOW TO OBSERVE #ActiveAgingWeek
During Active Aging Week, look for special activities such as open access to community recreation centers. You may find various local organizations sponsoring activities for people to get out and get moving. Some activities offered during Active Aging Week include group walks (both strolls and faster paced), group-exercise classes, healthy eating classes, yoga classes, nature walks.
On social media use #ActiveAgingWeek to follow the activities and conversation.
“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
NATIONAL ACTIVE AGING WEEK HISTORY
In 2003 Colin Milner initiated the first Active Aging Week. Milner is an author, entrepreneur, public speaker, industry leader, and the CEO of the International Council on Active Aging.