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There’s an exciting week coming up in September, and I hope every one of you will invite your residents to participate. The event is called Active Aging Week, and this year it’s scheduled for September 23-29. That means you’ll want to start planning your activities right away!
What is the week all about?
Active Aging Week is an annual celebration of the positive aspects of aging. Sponsored by the International Council On Active Aging, this year’s theme is “Inspiring Wellness”.
While we might assume that active aging only involves physical activity, the week focuses on all aspects of positive aging. This includes emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual wellness.
Why should we participate?
During my long career working with residents of nursing homes, I’ve met so many people who accept their limitations as an inevitable and irreversible part of aging. Unaware of their potential to live happier, healthier lives, they stop seeking out opportunities to learn and grow. Unfortunately, many caregivers also develop this attitude toward aging.
I think Active Aging Week is the perfect time to change our attitudes. It’s an opportunity for us to introduce our residents to new activities that will enhance the quality of their lives.
Of course, the ultimate goal is to enable residents to enjoy and benefit from their new-found interests even after Active Aging Week ends. As you plan your events, be sure to brainstorm ideas to keep the momentum going.
How do we get started?
The variety of Active Aging events you can create at your facility is endless. For an enormous variety of suggestions, check out this resource from ICAA. Don’t get overwhelmed by the size of the list. You can pick and choose activities that are of interest to your unique group of residents. (Update 9/9/19: I’m disappointed to see that the resource links for 2018 have been taken down. Check here for updated resources for 2019.)
The ICAA also provides free downloadable resources to help you promote your activities. These include everything from posters and press releases to participation certificates.
While it’s not mandatory, you also have the option of registering your event with the International Council On Active Aging. This increases publicity and allows the ICAA to know how many people participate each year.
Have you ever participated in Active Aging Week? I would love to see you share your stories in the comment section.
I also plan to check back with you at the end of August to see how your plans are coming along and to share more tips for celebrating Active Aging Week.
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