Focus on Health and Wellness: Active Aging Week for Seniors

Celebrate healthy aging during Active Aging Week!

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is overwhelming evidence that physical exercise can lower the risk of falls in older adults (aged 65 and over). Understanding how to focus on active aging can significantly improve the quality of life and independence for seniors. This aligns perfectly with the spirit of Active Aging Week, a national campaign dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for seniors that begins on September 30 and runs through October 6!

Since 2003, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) has celebrated Active Aging Week for seniors during the last full week of September, showcasing the positivity of aging in today’s world. As we join this important celebration, we aim to highlight the benefits of active aging and encourage a proactive approach to wellness for our seniors.

What is the Importance of Active Aging Week?

Active Aging Week is not just a celebration for seniors – it’s a call to action. According to the World Health Organization, by 2050, the global population of individuals aged 60 and older will reach 2 billion. This growing demographic underscores the importance of initiatives like Active Aging Week for seniors, which promotes seniors’ physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational, and environmental well-being. As ICAA Founder and CEO Colin Milner states, the goal is to encourage people to participate as fully in life as possible at any age, regardless of health conditions.

Inspiring Wellness during Active Aging Week and Beyond

Residents of Crestwood Manor enjoy access year-round to our comprehensive, award-winning LivWell program, which includes a wide array of events and activities designed to improve wellness in all seven dimensions. Our LivWell community program specifically touches on the seven dimensions of wellness while creating an inclusive space where everyone can participate in daily activities. This goes beyond the traditional fitness classes and activities, and residents will work directly with our staff to develop stimulating programming that meets their specific needs. You can expect the seven dimensions to impact you:

Leading a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods and getting your blood pumping regularly helps keep you mobile and alleviates chronic pain. This might be a fitness class or a walk around the Crestwood campus.
Through these events, residents will get the chance to come together and make new friends organically. It’s important to have a support system in place and continue to meet new people as you age.
We will encourage and meet your spiritual needs, no matter your beliefs, to help you connect to your faith and inner values. We offer an on-site community chaplain and activities like guided meditation sessions.
Boost your mood with activities you enjoy most, while also staying connected to others. You’ll enjoy time with others that will have you digging deep and considering your emotional state.
We believe learning should never stop, so we will introduce you to new ideas, cultures, and so much more. Play brain games to keep your mind healthy while also reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
What you’ve learned throughout your career can be interesting and beneficial to others! Some of our events might tap into your past career, asking you to give a lecture or presentation about your skills.

Staying Committed to Your Active Aging Journey

Here are some tips to stay on track with your active aging goals:

Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise helps maintain mobility and overall health. Join group fitness classes or enjoy walks in nature.
Social Engagement: Participate in community events and make new friends. Social connections are vital for emotional and mental well-being.
Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that challenge the mind, such as puzzles, reading, or learning new skills.
Healthy Eating: Adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support overall health.
Regular Health Check-ups: Routine medical check-ups help catch potential health issues early.

At Crestwood Manor, we believe in empowering seniors to live life to the fullest. Our dedicated activities team creates a year-round calendar of engaging events that promote active and healthy living.

In previous years our team has developed great projects to showcase the benefits of healthy and active aging. For instance, we held a campaign called Wellness Around the World. Each day we “traveled” to a different country where people live the happiest, longest lives to explore their culture. Stay tuned for active aging week events happening this year by taking a look at Crestwood Manor’s activity calendar.

Join Us for Active Aging Week at Crestwood Manor

We are thrilled to kick off Active Aging Week this year with a variety of exciting events designed to challenge the stigmas and expectations around aging.

Discover the vibrant lifestyle at Crestwood Manor and the enriching activities we offer residents year-round. Contact us for more information or to schedule a tour and see how our continuing care retirement community in Whiting, New Jersey, can support your journey to healthy aging.

Let’s celebrate Active Aging Week together and embrace a future filled with vitality and joy.