Participants enjoy a spirited game of pickleball during last year's Active Aging Week.
At news-gazette.com A full schedule for this year's Active Aging Week, set for Sept. 30-Oct. 6, is available on the online version of this story.
Active Aging Week was first launched by the International Council on Active Aging in 2003, making this the 22nd anniversary of a week full of fun, education and wellness activities for those 50 and better all across the country.
Active Aging Week was created to promote the benefits of healthy aging and healthy lifestyles. During this week, set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 this year, organizations offer free wellness activities and exercise programs for older adults to participate in, with the goal of showcasing their age-friendly wellness programs and promoting a positive message of aging.
In 2022, Age-Friendly Champaign-Urbana acted as a last-minute clearinghouse for Active Aging Week events, and we only had five different activities. We knew we wanted to improve upon that, and having 27 opportunities in 2023 was just astounding!
Last year, through the efforts of the Urbana Park District community program and engagement coordinator, the Aging Services of Champaign County committee and the Age-Friendly Champaign-Urbana Steering Committee, a group of caring professionals revitalized Active Aging Week. The two committees represent the best of local organizations and businesses working for the benefit of older adults in our community.
Last year's 27 different activities took place at 14 different locations, six of which were provided by the Urbana Park District: Pickleball, Fall Fun Crafternoon, Sculpture Exercise Walk, Age-Friendly Crafts at Fall Fusion Fest, Sunday Morning Bird Walks, and S'mores Social and Stroll.
Two other agencies offered programs at the Phillips Recreation Center: CRIS Aging Mastery Class and Heart Healthy Cooking with Synergy Home Care. We cannot wait to see what our community pulls together for 2024.
As of press time, the following agencies have already committed to offering a wide variety of activities focusing on healthy living, recreation, education, art and community engagement:
Champaign County Health Care ConsumersChampaign Park DistrictChampaign Public LibraryChampaign-UrbanaKiwanisChampaign-UrbanaMass Transit DistrictClarkLindseyCRIS Healthy AgingFamily ServiceIllinois ExtensionMcKechnie FamilyLIFE HomeNorthwestern Mutual/The McDonald GroupOSF Faith in ActionSideline MDSynergy Home CareUI Office of Recreation and Park ResourcesUrbana Free LibraryUrbana Park DistrictVillas of Holly Brook & Reflections Memory Care
Here is just a selection of the programs that will be offered for Champaign County Active Aging Week 2024:
Brain, Body & Balance at ClarkLindsey:
Rena Leake's class starts with a full body warm-up, followed by fun seated cardio to raise the heart rate and practice coordination. Brain-body drills that combine physical and cognitive tasks will be added.
Open House at the McKechnie Family LIFE Home:
Current Research and Developmental projects will be showcased. Visitors will be able to meet and talk with research teams and interact with the Robots. Learn about the Smart Home tools with tours and demonstrations.
Heart Healthy Cooking Class at the Phillips Recreation Center:
Join Liz Sullard, nurse and Regional Community Liaison from Synergy HomeCare as she teaches us how to make the ever-popular charcuterie boards that are sure to impress with a sophisticated assortment of flavors and textures. Liz will also be making her personal favorite healthy dessert, chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars.
CarFit at Stone Creek Church:
Students in Parkland College's Occupational Therapy Assistant program are hosting the event in partnership with AAA Auto Club and ClarkLindsey. Although designed to keep the area's older adults driving safely, CarFit is open to drivers of any age. A CarFit check takes about 20 minutes and is available to all licensed drivers who own a registered vehicle. A trained professional will ask simple questions and complete a 12-point CarFit checklist.
Film Event: "Join or Die" By Robert Putnam, Virginia Theatre:
This documentary by Robert Putnam, author of the best-selling book "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community," shines a light on social isolation and loneliness and its role in premature death and health/well-being.
Activities are being added every day. For a more complete and updated listing, please follow the Age-Friendly Champaign-Urbana Facebook page (facebook.com/ agefriendlycu) as we get closer to the celebration or check out the PDF below.
Download PDF