Are You Ready For Active Aging Week?

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I’m super excited about a week coming up in early October. It’s called Active Aging Week, and I know it will provide a much-needed boost for your residents and staff as we come out of the COVID pandemic.

Active Aging Week is an annual celebration of the positive aspects of aging. It encourages people over the age of 50 to experience wellness in all aspects of life: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, vocational, environmental, and intellectual.

Developed in 2003 by the International Council On Active Aging, several countries now celebrate this important week. These include Australia, India, Ireland, the U.S.A., and Canada.

Why should we take part?

During my long career working with residents of senior living communities, 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 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 newfound interests even after Active Aging Week ends. As you plan your events, be sure to brainstorm ideas to keep the momentum going.

The Schedule

Active Aging Week begins on the first Monday of October. This year we’ll enjoy the events on October 3-9.

You can make it a one-day celebration, or better yet, plan activities for each of the seven days. Best of all, ICAA provides extensive resources to help you organize your events.

Friendly Competition

Your organization can also compete for one of ten Active Aging Spirit Awards. Show off what you’re doing to promote wellness by submitting photos taken by residents or staff. You’ll also want to include a brief story highlighting how you’re challenging people’s perception of active aging. For activity ideas, you can check out last year’s award winners.

Focus Areas

Each year, Active Aging Week offers specific areas of focus. My two favorite themes for 2022 are:

• WALK!

For the 14th year, Active Aging Week 2022 includes free access to the highly regarded WALK! program developed by Aegis Therapies. Initially designed for use at their facilities, WALK! is now open to anyone—even individuals who wish to take part at home.

The Aegis website offers a fun variety of online exercise classes, including dance, core strengthening, and meditation. Best of all, they provide physical activities for people with all levels of mobility.

• Senior Games

During Active Aging Week, many senior living communities host senior games. The events need not be strenuous. Consider competitions in corn hole, mini-golf, horseshoes, shuffleboard, paper airplane flying, free-throw basketball, or Wii bowling.

• Do your own thing

You can also develop your own unique activities for each day. Here are a few programs other senior living communities have done in the past:

1. Visits from local sports figures (team mascots, cheerleaders, college athletes, etc.)
2. Musical activities involving exercise
3. Drumming circles
4. Traditional and seated yoga
5. Lunch ‘n Learns for staff
6. Scavenger hunts
7. Intergenerational activities

What’s the next step?

Anyone can take part in the week’s events by accessing the Active Aging website. While it’s not required, you also can register your event with the International Council On Active Aging. This increases publicity and allows the ICAA to know how many people take part each year. You’ll also gain access to even more helpful resources, and there’s no cost to register.

 

I would love to hear how you’re planning to celebrate Active Aging Week this year. Please let me know in the comment section!