Getting old means getting active

Life begins at 40. Or does it?
Ironically, America”™s older population seems to be slowing, despite glitzy ads and commercials showing young, vigorous seniors touting the  benefits of yogurt and Pilates.
By 60, many are so sedentary that an exercise class is out of the question. Besides, who wants to go into a gym filled with 20-somethings flexing their fantastic figures? Even a walk around the block can be a challenge to many, despite the hype.
Colin Milner worked in the fitness industry for several years and noticed a large part of the population ”“ specifically, those approaching their “boomer” years ”“ stopped coming to the gym and faded from the health clubs”™ radars. He started the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) in British Columbia, which serves all fifty states and parts of Canada.
Patricia Ryan, vice president of education for ICAA in San Diego, says keeping physically active ”“ even if it”™s just a walk up and down your street or 15 minutes of weeding in the garden ”“ will have enormous health benefits, especially for a person”™s mental well-being. Ryan spoke for founder Milner, who was away on vacation.
“There are people who are 80 years old running marathons; others are confined to their homes. But when people stay active, even if they have limitations, the psychological benefits are enormous,” said Ryan. “Even for the homebound, just doing a simple exercise each day can help with mental stamina, and that”™s the key. The goal is less doctor visits, fewer medications and perhaps most importantly, less depression, which contributes significantly to physical decline,” Ryan says, “Feeling good emotionally helps keep your body healthier ”“ and there is a growing body of scientific evidence to support that theory.”
While many senior housing projects, assisted-living homes and continuum of care communities across the country offer luxurious gyms, don”™t be surprised to see many empty, said Ryan. “Often, there is no one there on a daily basis to make sure that residents know how to use the equipment. Maybe the residents don”™t need the machines; they may just need simple strengthening exercises.”Â  The end result?  “Fitness rooms remain empty, but they sure look great when prospective buyers are touring the facility,” she said. The goal for ICAA  is to get older folks into the gym, out in the garden and on their feet ”“ preferably moving at a pace that”™s comfortable for them.
“Those over 40 are ready to ”˜boom,”™ that”™s certain, and Colin saw the industry as an emerging market,” said Ryan, who joined ICAA three years ago to promote education for the aging population. “Many fitness facilities aren”™t friendly to an older person”™s needs or capabilities, but it is not out of a lack of caring ”¦ they just don”™t know what to provide or the niche they are missing. We provide resources to try to make life better and healthier for older Americans.”
ICAA started “active aging week” six years ago, “and each year, it is gaining more recognition,” said Ryan. “We ask everyone who has the ability to offer a free class or use of their facility for a week with programs specifically designed for those over 50. It can be in a senior center, community center or a health club. We provide the materials; they provide the manpower. We also like to receive feedback about what programs went over well and those that didn”™t.” Ryan stressed it does “not have to be an exercise class. It can be as simple as a fashion show. Just something to get older people engaged and active mentally and physically.”

ICAA offers a comprehensive Web site with a “locator listing” showing cities throughout the United States that offer senior exercise programs. One of them is Gold”™s Gym in LaGrange, where Melanie Roberts, operations manager, talked about programs specifically for boomers and beyond. The “silver sneaker” is promoted by several insurance companies as a way to keep their older members healthier ”“ and happier.
“We have four programs four times a week that are specifically geared towards older adults,” said Roberts. “Some insurance companies, like MVP, cover the use of a health club for their members to promote wellness.” Classes that help seniors work with motor skills using 2- to 3-pound weights, yoga stretch or exercise to build muscular strength are some of the workouts we use in our programs. Our instructors are older, because we want people to be relaxed and feel free to ask questions.”
If the insurance doesn”™t cover the cost, the rates are reduced. “We want people to come and enjoy the classes. If they feel they can do something more active, we encourage it,” said Roberts. “We also don”™t want money to be an issue for them.”
Gold”™s Gym lets members use their three locations in Newburgh (which has a pool and offers water aerobic exercise), Fishkill and its large LaGrange gym, complete with indoor soccer; seniors are welcome to form an adult league. “We will be participating in active aging week (Sept. 24 to Oct. 1) this year,” said Roberts. “Anyone who wants to come in and check out what we offer and try it for the week can do it for free.”
That”™s music to ICAA, which hopes any organization that decides to participate in active aging week will contact it to find out how to promote wellness for older people and become part of its data base. 
“We are entering what the World Health Organization coined ”˜the age of aging,”™” said Ryan. Active aging week”™s theme this year is “choose an active life.” It will culminate Oct. 1, international day of older persons. “What could be more fitting?” asked Ryan. 
ICAA offers some food for thought:  77 million baby boomers, nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population, are growing older. By 2030, the number of people above 65 is expected to double to 71 million. “We are all going to get there sooner or later, many sooner than later,” said Ryan, “America is not the only country facing this situation. It”™s a worldwide problem and one we need to take seriously.” Hopefully, active aging week will encourage local organizations, no matter what size, to promote activities for seniors  to stay sound in both mind and body.