Active Aging Week

This seven-day campaign works to improve society’s messages around the topic of aging, promoting the positive aspects and contributions that older adults can have in communities.

Get excited and get on board personally with Active Aging Week or encourage an older adult friend or family member to participate!

History of Active Aging Week

Active Aging Week got its start in 2003 when it was launched through the efforts of the International Council on Active Aging (ICA).

The idea came from the CEO of the ICA organization, Colin Milner, who is an author, entrepreneur, and public speaker, and is considered to be the founder of the active aging movement in the United States.

How to Celebrate Active Aging Week

Have loads of fun staying active and inviting other aging folks to be living life to their fullest by celebrating Active Aging Week! Get started by considering some of these ideas for observing the event:

Get Active and Stay Active!

One of the best things that can prevent the negative progressive effects of aging is to be active and moving! Studies have shown that regular physical exercise can help to slow down the aging process. Engaging in a favorite hobby or sport, or pick up one of these to get moving:

• Practice Chair Yoga. Even those aging individuals who have low mobility can benefit from this low-impact exercise that promotes stretching and balance
• Join a Group Walk. Find out where the folks in the community like to walk, whether in a park or a shopping mall and join in on the fun for social activity along with exercise
• Go Swimming. Ideal for those with arthritis, providing support for 90% of the body’s weight, allowing for strength building and heart health while reducing the occurrence of falls
• Travel. Many older adults spend their younger years working, so they want to enjoy the freedom that comes with traveling now, which is good for the body, the mind, and the soul! 

Attend Local Active Aging Week Events

Senior centers, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, the IAA, and other organizations might celebrate Active Aging Week by offering free events that invite the community to come along.

This could include musical performances, theatrical plays, craft fairs, art lessons, birdwatching groups and so much more.

Those who run such organizations can take a poll and find out which activities seem the most attractive to those older adults in the community, then provide them with some fun!

Activate an Aging Brain

Word puzzles, sudoku, mind teaser games, Chess, quiz events, and other strategy games are super important for keeping the mind active. Ward off issues such as memory loss and dementia by keeping the brain active in celebration of Active Aging Week!

Some other Days of the Year events that can be celebrated throughout the year Active Aging Week include Age Without Apology Month celebrated in June, Spunky Old Broads Month in February, and Refired, Not Retired Day, which is observed on March 1.