What is the Active-Aging industry?

The Active-Aging industry provides facilities and programs that are part of a prevention/wellness model focused on quality of life for people who are 50 years and older. It unites a broad spectrum of organizations and individuals, including:

• Retirement communities, including active adult, lifestyle, independent living, assisted living and CCRCs
• Seniors centers; recreation and community centers serving older adults
• Apartment buildings, condominiums and developments targeted to adults over 60
• Medical fitness centers and hospital-based wellness centers
• Rehabilitation facilities; physical and occupational therapy services
• Health clubs, YMCAs, YWCAs, JCCs and similar organizations with large populations of older adults
• Adult day services
• Home-based services, from therapy to housekeeping to personal training
• Long-term care and nursing facilities
• Workplace wellness
• Research centers, usually based in universities, focused on aspects of the aging population

To deliver Active-Aging opportunities, the industry provides facilities and programs.

Facilities might include:

• Dining rooms and cafes
• Spa services and hair salons
• Wellness and/or fitness centers
• Therapy rooms or centers
• Exercise rooms, activity rooms
• Changing rooms and lockers
• Swimming pools and/or warm water therapy pools
• Crafts shops (e.g., woodworking shop or fine arts studio)
• Business center and computer labs
• Outdoor areas for physical activity
• Walking and biking trails
• Meditation gardens
• Movie theater

Programs can include:

• Brain fitness games and computer programs
• Clubs and crafts groups
• Dances, dinners, parties
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Disease management classes and groups
• Exercise classes
• Fall prevention screenings, workshops or programs
• Health assessments, screenings
• Educational lectures on various topics (travel, finance, computers, etc.)
• Trips to museums, attractions or tourist destinations

Because Active Aging unites many types of organizations and individuals, the reach is both wide and deep. The professionals in these organizations are increasingly fuelled by the now-continual flow of research confirming that active living promotes health and well-being.