3,000 events planned for older adults as Active Aging Week® begins

11th annual event takes place Sept. 21 – 27. Watch for locations near you.

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[Vancouver, BC] There have never been more reasons for older adults to get off the couch. With at least 3,000 events planned to showcase new products, places and programs under the theme Let the Adventure Begin, Active Aging Week® 2014 aims to prove you’re never too old to discover the excitement of living life to its fullest.

Created in 2003 by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), Active Aging Week® is spurring organizations across North America from YMCAs to hospitals, churches, cities and retirement communities to find new ways to inspire older adults to live richer, fitter lives. And not just for the seven-day stretch, but throughout the year as well.

The 2014 events are as diverse in nature as they are widespread.

In Richmond, Virginia and its surrounding communities, Active Aging Week promotors have been drumming up participation in upcoming activities on their local TV stations.

In Worthington, Minnesota, there’s an Active Aging Week golf tournament.

The city of Fort Wayne, Indiana is offering all older adult activities in community centers free of charge – billiards, bingo, bridge, euchre, mah jongg, pickleball, table tennis, whamo, Wii play, stretch and flex, Arthritis Foundation exercise and everyday exercise.

In North Vancouver, British Columbia, PARC Retirement Living will be celebrating Active Aging Week with a special yoga class to demonstrate that fitness and health can be part of anyone’s lifestyle, regardless of age.

On a nation-wide scale, SilverSneakers® Fitness, a leading U.S. fitness program for older adults, is staging a series of activities in parks, recreation centers and older-adult communities including Latin-style dance, strength and balance training, fitness circuits and group walks.

The WALK! with Aegis Therapies 2014 is a five-day guided wellness program taking place in more than 750 locations promoting active aging and healthy lifestyles during Active Aging Week. The program encourages participants to walk 15 to 30 minutes and also focus on one additional wellness activity.

Other organizations taking steps to promote Active Aging Week are the Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH) and Performance Health Systems, who will be providing materials and information for presentations on foot health, osteoporosis and fall prevention.

“It’s all about adventure,” says Colin Milner, ICAA’s Founder and Executive Director. “Whether it’s tai chi, dancing, a mountain hike or picking up a new hobby, Active Aging Week activities should be fun, social and stimulating. They should also be free or low cost, educational, and presented in a safe, fun and friendly atmosphere.

“We want to introduce older adults to the many new adventures they can benefit from on a regular, year-round basis.”

The sponsors of this year's Active Aging Week are:

Aegis Therapies, EnerG by Aegis, Falls Free, National Council on Aging, Performance Health Systems, Silver Sneakers, The Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH), Thorlo, Inc.

About Active Aging Week®
Website: www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm

Active Aging Week is an annual event held the last full week of September (prior to October 1, International Day of Older Persons). The week was initiated by the International Council of Active Aging to give as many older adults as possible the means to experience activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere. 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.

About the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA)

ICAA, a professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry, supports professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging-an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness-and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools.

For questions:

Contact: Colin Milner, CEO, ICAA
Toll-free: 1-866-335-9777 (North America)
Telephone: 604-734-4466; cell: 604-763-4595
colinmilner@icaa.cc