Celebrating aging and the benefits of active living at any age, Active Aging Week showcases the capabilities of older adults as fully participating members of society. This campaign also spotlights role models that lead the way. Learn how you can join with thousands of Active Aging Week supporters to help change the way we age.
Tell us what you did during Active Aging Week to redefine the term "Active."
While we hosted only one day of activities, the learning and networking spanned weeks, and the healthy ripple effects keep rolling. We held two one-hour sessions, including cardiovascular, resistance, balance, and flexibility exercise, for participants ranging from 19 to 96 years. Both older adults and younger adults led portions. In the weeks leading up to AAW, my students and I practiced, not only teaching and modifying exercises, but also age-less communication practices. Indeed, we caught some well-intended, but nevertheless ageist comments. I pitched the benefits of intergenerational physical activity to the volunteers, participants, and university media. The AAW event created beautiful ripple effects. Everyone had a great time. Many people surprised themselves and reignited their excitement for certain types of exercise. Some participants, who were shuttled to the university from area senior centers, are already asking their administrators for similar, future outings. The rooms were filled with chatter, smiles, and sweat, and free of adverse incidents. It is very difficult to convey all of the good accomplished with this event (I’d love to share a few stories!) in such few words. I can only imagine the good that could be done, if every exercise science program organized similar events.
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