Tips from the field
Active Aging Week 2025: Changing the narrative on aging Even as ageist stereotypes influence beliefs about aging, society’s narrative is changing. That is due partly to realities of greater longevity, increased knowledge and cultural change. Also, active-aging advocates have helped shape new narratives balancing possibility and challenge. Today, aging role models are thriving and contributing to daily life. View detail
Plan now to create more visibility for Active Aging Week Perceptions are shifting about what's possible as we age and, increasingly, role models are moving society to rewrite this narrative. Active Aging Week offers the perfect vehicle for organizations and communities committed to older-adult wellness to spotlight their residents and members. In 2025, the weeklong celebration will take place October 6-12. Become a local host organization to foster camaraderie and promote healthier, more engaged aging with fun, educational and invigorating activities. As a bonus, you get to showcase your programming and amenities. View detail
Vibrant lives, vital roles: Observing Active Aging Week 2024 Community life benefits in countless ways from the contributions of older adults. Through volunteerism, mentorship or activism, individuals tutor children, support young leaders, build homes, protect pollinators, and raise funds for charities, for example. These men and women contribute to their community's health and well-being by staying active, productive and engaged as they age. They also promote their own healthier longevity. In fall 2024, Active Aging Week encouraged adults aged 50+ to participate in activities that promote leading active, engaged lives. View detail
Active Aging Week: Resources to help fast-track your planning Active Aging Week campaign resources are available online to help newcomers and others with last-minute planning. View detail
Active Aging Week: Plan early to maximize your impact This yearly campaign highlights the potential for people to live better longer with wellness as their foundation. It's also a perfect platform to showcase your organization. Now's a good time to start planning your participation. View detail
Make your Active Aging Week more visible and rewarding How will you promote your Active Aging Week participation this fall? If you haven't done so already, you might want to consider involving public officials in your event planning. The annual observance, presented by Humana and led by the International Council on Active Aging, promotes healthier, more engaged living for older adults. It offers a valuable opportunity for both these officials and your organization to increase recognition and publicity. Public recognition can reinforce value for your participants and organization. View detail
Celebrate + inspire: Planning your Active Aging Week This annual initiative showcases the power of wellness. If you aren't already planning your participation, now's the time to start. View detail
Hosting a milestone Active Aging Week Autumn's arrival typically signals vacations ending, students returning to schools and, for active-aging advocates, celebrating Active Aging Week. The annual observance held in the early fall promotes active, engaged living for adults 50+. The weeklong celebrations taking place October 3-9, 2022, will mark the 20th Annual Active Aging Week. How will your organization participate in--and leverage--this milestone? In settings where missions and business models center on older adults, or where healthy aging is a significant focus, Active Aging Week offers a platform for positive messages and programming that highlight the ability to engage fully in life at any age. At the same time, savvy host organizations realize the opportunities it presents to showcase their services, lifestyles and environments to their communities and neighborhoods. View detail
Thriving at PSL: A resident-led special event celebrates wellness Summer 2020 challenged providers of senior living, care and aging services with pandemic concerns. While the health and safety of residents and staff were consuming issues, so too were questions of how to support their overall wellness. At Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL) in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, plans for an in-house wellness initiative moved ahead, with resident focus groups providing input as the not-for-profit developed its wellness culture. Fostering this culture is Thrive Wellness, PSL's "resident-driven approach to wellness." Launched early in 2021, Thrive Wellness "promotes a culture of wellness, engagement and purposeful living to empower all individuals to live their best lives," according to the PSL website. Key to this approach is collaboration between residents and team members and between the organization's communities. The Thrive Wellness Steering Group demonstrates that collaborative spirit, with independent-living residents, team members and community leadership all involved. In keeping with the resident-driven philosophy and the collaborative, holistic framework of Thrive Wellness, the steering group came up with an idea for a special event inspired by Active Aging Week, the annual ICAA-led campaign to promote active, engaged living, presented by Humana. The PSL initiative would have its own twists, however. View detail
Active Aging Week 2021: Celebrating active, engaged living Individuals engaging fully in life as they age--that's the long-term outcome that active-aging professionals often hope for when they host Active Aging Week. Since the annual observance launched in 2003, the wellness initiative has showcased the potential of older adults and their ability to participate fully in life's different dimensions. And every year, host organizations create low-to-no-cost activities to encourage adults 50+ to try new experiences and savor the fun, friendship and joy of participation in physical, spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, vocational and environmental wellness offerings. Through a mix of in-person and virtual programming, these organizations again enlivened their neighborhoods and communities in 2021 with opportunities to join in the week's celebrations. Active Aging Week 2021, presented by Humana, was organized and led nationally by the International Council on Active Aging. National sponsors Abbott Nutrition and Aegis Therapies/EnerG by Aegis supported the campaign, along with content providers Spiro100 and One Day University. From local hosts and sponsors to organizers and volunteers, a multitude of grassroots contributors made the initiative a highlight of early fall for older adults across North America and beyond. To give a flavor of the week, held October 4-10, the following pages share some of the activities offered. View detail