In reality, a number of trends have set the stage for this new vision of aging—one where older adults are engaged in their lives, active as stewards of experience and knowledge, leaders in family and community, and explorers of personal interests and development. These trends include:
- the general aging of the population
- the aging of the Boomers and their different expectations of growing older
- the expanding older-adult population as more people live longer (the 80-plus age group is the fastest-growing older demographic)
- the decrease in premature death among today’s adults due to medical advances and the increase in years spent in better health compared to previous older generations
A longer-lived population offers opportunities for individuals, families and societies. But there are challenges as well. One concern is the projected rise in healthcare costs, as more people require medical care for chronic health issues such as heart disease and diabetes, while others need more assistance in their daily lives due to increased disability and frailty. Here’s the good news: Research has shown that the many physical conditions and diseases we traditionally associate with growing older are often the result of, or made worse by, lifestyle choices. By adopting healthier lifestyle behaviors at any age, we can improve our current circumstances and invest in better well-being tomorrow.
Active aging—which supports positive, fulfilling aging—answers the challenges of today by helping older adults become or stay physically active, and thereby improve their health and physical function. This translates into improved fiscal health for us as individuals, families and societies, both now and in the future.
So, how do people start? Although some individuals in their 60s, 70s and beyond have been physically active throughout their lives, and remain vigorous, many older adults who are generally healthy have lived in-active lives as adults, so their physical fitness and ability levels are low. Increasing numbers in later years have health conditions that require more care to ensure their comfort and safety in activities; arthritis and osteoporosis are examples, while some have problems with balance or walking that increase their likelihood (and fear) of falling. For all these reasons and more, a knowledgeable fitness or wellness professional can be a vital part of the picture for individuals who want to become physically active. An appropriate, welcoming fitness environment is also important.
Whether retirement community, senior’s center, spa, recreation center , or fitness club, a variety of organizations have the opportunity to reach older adults with active-aging messages, facilities, programs and guidance. That’s why in 2001, when active aging was a still-emerging concept, Colin Milner founded the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) to unify organizations that focus on these individuals. The goal? Changing the Way We Age®.
As vice president of sales and marketing for a major international fitness and wellness equipment manufacturer, whose products and equipment have been used in studies involving older adults, Milner saw first-hand the difference that regular physical activity made in the lives of these individuals.
Now, with ICAA, he leads an association that effectively supports professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for people over the age of 50. These professionals receive educational resources, information, resources and tools to serve their members optimally.
The ICAA community is dedicated to improving quality of life for older adults, and they are committed to providing client support with safe, effective programs that provide valuable health benefits. Along with ICAA’s annual conference, a mix of print and electronic publications keep members up to date on research, programming ideas, business advice, and age-friendly equipment, services and settings. In addition, individuals share advice and information on the ICAA Network, an online business networking site that allows ICAA members around the world to collaborate throughout the year. These opportunities to learn, develop and support each other have helped these active-aging professionals thrive—and, in turn, offer their knowledge and passion for active aging to clients.
Active Aging Week, a once-a-year health promotion campaign spearheaded by ICAA, takes place the last full week in September. This campaign aims to give as many older adults as possible the means to experience activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere—all at no cost. During the week, host organizations provide a variety of free activities such as classes, educational seminars, access to fitness facilities, health fairs and community walks. Thousands of organizations have participated in Active Aging Week to date, and through their efforts these organizations have influenced the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, particularly in the United States, Canada and Australia. Encourage your wellness facility, community or corporate group to support this worthwhile week-long event.
“For many participants, Active Aging Week is their first introduction to physical activity as an older adult,” says CEO Colin Milner. “Many come to realize that choosing an active life will lead to better health and longer life, but they’re not sure how to begin. Active Aging Week can open the door to that new way of life.”
Information is the key for people who want to embrace this vision of aging. ICAA’s website (www.icaa.cc) is an extensive, information-rich active-aging resource that people can access anytime, anywhere. The easy availability of this resource has promoted the movement’s growth worldwide. Today, 33 countries are represented in the ICAA network—including Australia, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
“Most parts of the world are experiencing increasing life expectancy and undergoing rapid growth of the adult population, and so issues related to healthy, active and independent aging are definitely on the agenda for most countries,” said Dr. Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, in a recent article in ICAA’s Journal on Active Aging®. Chodzko-Zajko, an ICAA advisor, was a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) scientific advisory committee that released guidelines on physical activity in older adults in the late 1990s.
“If you looked at WHO’s Aging and Life Course program a decade ago, people were working on disseminating information on the value of physical activity to the United Nations’ member states. But we’re way beyond that now,” continued Chodzko-Zajko, who also heads the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign’s Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. “Now they are developing strategies to promote active aging that include combining different components of wellness, including physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual. We’re seeing recognition by virtually all countries that physical activity is not only possible for older people, but that it’s essential to preserving a high quality of life. Now the focus is on looking within different cultures for mechanisms for bringing that about”. So regardless of where they live, older adults can look forward to more support for active, healthy aging at all levels of society.
Families can play a role in helping parents and grandparents make lifestyle changes that will allow them to grow older, but stronger. How? An encouraging family member can make a difference, either directly (e.g., helping their elders take concrete steps to get started) or indirectly (e.g., suggesting a parent speak to a doctor about physical activity). Individuals can go to the ICAA website for further education and resources. There, they can inform themselves about active lifestyles and activities, as well as find answers to common questions about becoming active and links to additional sources of information.
ICAA also offers downloadable checklists on its website that families or individuals can use to help evaluate personal trainers, facilities and equipment. As mentioned above, a knowledgeable fitness/wellness professional and an appropriate fitness environment can influence how older adults experience physical activity. The goal is to find the best fit for a particular person. By having the information, motivation, and access they need, older adults are much more likely to succeed with physical activity and can fully enjoy the benefits of an active life.
Jenifer Milner is director of communications for the International Council on Active Aging, (http://www.icaa.cc )and editor-in-chief of the Journal on Active Aging.email
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