ICAA announces messages and dates for Active Aging Week 2009

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VANCOUVER-- The International Council on Active Aging announces the dates for this year’s Active Aging Week, the annual health promotion event hosted by hundreds of organizations across the country. In small towns and big cities, older adults will join in community walks, try an exercise class, play court and computer games and listen to experts discuss aging and health.

Dates: September 21-27, 2009

Key messages: Older adults can and will change the way they age by being active 30 minutes a day. Staying active in all areas of life—physical, cognitive and social—is important. The bedrock is physical activity, which is the no-cost secret to increased energy, mental and physical health, and a feeling of well-being.

Location: Active Aging Week is organized locally, with events taking place in community centers, retirement communities, malls, health clubs, hospitals and other diverse locations. The hosting organization determines the type and number of activities.

Professional information: The ICAA provides professionals with a library of images, posters and planning guides as a free service to the active-aging community on the ICAA website: http://www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm.

Consumer information: Older adults and service providers can find information about active aging and a list of hosting location (beginning in August) on the ICAA website in the consumer section: http://www.icaa.cc/activeagingweek/aaw-public.htm.

Sponsors: In 2009, Active Aging Week is sponsored by Aegis Therapies, Institute for Preventive Foot Health and Thorlos.

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About Active Aging Week
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 is the world’s largest membership association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. The council supports these professionals with education, information, resources and tools, so they can achieve optimal success with the growing population of people who are 50 years and older. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada’s Special Senate Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport.

For interviews or more information about ICAA or aging-related issues, contact:

Colin Milner, CEO, International Council on Active Aging
Toll-free: 1-866-335-9777 (North America only)
Telephone: 604-734-4466; cell: 604-763-4595
Email: colinmilner@icaa.cc