Older Adults
Physical Activity
….it’s never too late to start!
Statistics and Benefits
May 2005
Older Adults defined:
The older adult physical activity
guide for healthy living defines an
older adult as anyone over the
age of 55
May 2005
Our aging population:
Projected Canadian population
Ages 50+
2006-2026
50
45
40
proportion of 50+ population
2006
35
2016
30
2026
25
20
15
10
5
0
May 2005
50-59
60-69
70-79
age range
80-89
90+
Projected Canadian Population 2006
40-49
17%
60-69
9%
30-39
14%
50+
32%
15-29
19%
50-59
14%
<14
17%
May 2005
70+
10%
Projected Canadian Population 2016
40-49
14%
60-69
12%
30-39
14%
50+
38%
15-29
19%
50-59
15%
<14
15%
May 2005
70+
11%
Projected Canadian Population 2026
40-49
14%
60-69
14%
30-39
14%
50+
41%
15-29
16%
50-59
13%
<14
14%
May 2005
70+
15%
Population Projection – ages 50+
•Overall, the 50+ age group
will increase from 32% to 41%
of the total Canadian
population by 2026, with the
largest increase happening in
the 70+ age group
•There will be a decrease in
the proportion of the 50-59 age
group, but an increase in the
60-69 and 70-79 age groups.
More people will be living
longer.
May 2005
Physical activity in older adults
Data from Statistics Canada (2001)
45
40
% of 50+ population
35
55-64 years
65-74 years
30
75 years and over
25
20
15
10
5
0
females
May 2005
males
Physically active
females
males
Moderately active
females
males
Physically inactive
Trends in PA and older adults
•As age increases, trend is to become less
active
•The majority of older adults are inactive
•In adults under 75, males and females are
active in similar proportions
•Females >75 years of age are much less
active than males in this age range
Physical activity for older
adults builds:
•Cardiovascular Capacity
•Strength
•Flexibility and Ability to
Stretch
•Balance
Benefits increase as
physical activity
increases.
Benefits when starting out:
•Meet new people
•Feel more relaxed
•Sleep better
•Have more fun
May 2005
Benefits from regular physical activity:
•Better physical and mental health
•Continued independent living
•Improved quality of life
•More energy
May 2005
Benefits cont’d:
• Move with fewer aches and pains
• Better posture and balance
• Improved self-esteem
• Weight maintenance
• Stronger muscles and bones
• Relaxation and reduced stress
May 2005
Scientists have proven that physical
activity results in a reduced risk of:
Depression
Colon
cancer
Premature
death
Heart
disease
Osteoporosis
PA =
 risk
Falls and
injuries
Diabetes
High blood
pressure
Stroke
Obesity
May 2005
Older Adults
Physical Activity
….it’s never too late to start!
Roadblocks
May 2005
I don't
have
time.
May 2005
Exercise
causes
pain.
May 2005
Exercise
is
boring.
May 2005
Exercise
is too
tiring.
May 2005
I am too
old to
exercise.
May 2005
I am too
fat to
exercise.
May 2005
There is
no place
to
exercise.
May 2005
I don't see
any reason to
exercise; I
don't want to
live forever!
May 2005
I am
afraid of
falling.
May 2005
I am
afraid of
getting
hurt.
May 2005
Older Adults
Physical Activity
….it’s never too late to start!
Resource List
May 2005
Organizations for older adults
and physical activity:
Canadian Centre for Activity & Aging
To develop, encourage and promote an
active, healthy lifestyle for Canadian adults
that will enhance the dignity of the aging
process.
www.uwo.ca/actage/
May 2005
Active Living Coalition for Older Adults
The Active Living Coalition for Older Adults
(ALCOA) strives to promote a society
where all older Canadians are leading
active lifestyles that contribute to their
overall well-being.
www.alcoa.ca
May 2005
Sages Falls Prevention Program Video &
Manual
A 50-minute exercise video focusing on
strength, balance and flexibility. Includes a
facilitator's manual to help start or lead a
falls prevention group. Available for loan or
purchase.
1.800.461.0327
sages@community-care.on.ca
May 2005
International Council on Active Aging
The ICAA connects a community of likeminded professionals who share the goals
of changing society's perceptions of aging
and improving the quality of life for aging
baby boomers and older adults within the
six dimensions of wellness. The council
supports these professionals with
education, information, resources and
tools, so they can achieve optimal
success. www.icaa.cc
May 2005
Exercise: A Guide from the National
Institute on Aging
The American National Institute on Aging
has produced a guide for people taking
their first steps towards an active lifestyle.
This guide will show you how to include
exercise and proper nutrition to stay
healthy as you age. The guide also offers
useful tips on establishing and maintaining
a regular exercise program. For more
information, visit www.nia.nih.gov
May 2005
A free publication to communicate to the
Senior population:
Division of Aging and Seniors,
Public Health Agency of Canada
Address locator: 1908A1
Ottawa ON K1A 1B4
Tel.: 613-952-7606
Fax: 613-957-7627
E-mail: seniors@phac-aspc.gc.ca
May 2005
Certifications to work with older adults:
CAN FIT PRO – Senior course
Senior Instructor Course – CCAA
National Leadership Training Initiative
Project - CCAA
International curriculum
May 2005
Available programs from
the Canadian Centre for
Activity and Aging :
• Get Fit for Active Living
• Home Support Exercise
Program
May 2005
Active Ageing: You Can Make a
Difference
This video for physicians is
available from the College of
Family Physicians of Canada
(www.cfpc.ca).
May 2005
Growing Stronger
This is a strength training program for older adults
from Tufts university – Centre for Disease control
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/growing_
stronger/
May 2005
Active Anytime Anywhere: Older Adult Resource Kit
This kit promotes active living for older adults by
providing resources for older adults and for those who
work with them. For more information or to order this
resource, contact the Aids to Daily Living/Community
Rehabilitation Program of the Capital Health Authority at
780-413-4976 or at ckalinsk@cha.ab.ca.
May 2005
Active Independent Aging - A Community
Guide for Fall Prevention and Active Living
Active Independent Aging is designed to promote
the health and independence of older adults and
veterans through falls prevention, active living,
and activity-friendly environments. Active
Independent Aging provides materials to help
leaders understand issues related to falls and
physical activity among older adults.
For more information on promoting active living
for older adults in safe environments, visit the
Active Independent Aging web site at www.fallschutes.com.
May 2005
ActiveAge Listserv
ActiveAge is sponsored by the Active Living
Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA). Subscribers to
the ActiveAge listserv receive information about
current Canadian resources and sources, program
implementation, and research results related to
active living for older adults.
ActiveAge is for health practitioners, recreation
leaders, older adult associations, college/university
faculty, staff, and students, government consultants
and researchers, and leaders in the older adult
community. Subscribe on-line at
www.alcoa.ca/e/listserve.htm.
May 2005
Be Active. Eat Well
These guides contain facts about Type 2 diabetes and
how to manage this condition with physical activity
and good nutrition
The Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA)
developed the guides after a needs assessment and
resource review identified gaps in information about
older adults, diabetes, physical activity, and nutrition.
Two types of guides are now available. One guide is
meant for practitioners and organizations working with
older adults and the second guide is for the older
adult. The guides are available in both English and
French. If you would like to order a hardcopy, please
call 1-800-549-9799.
May 2005
Beat Winter Woes!
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association encourages
Canadians to keep active through the winter months to
help maintain their levels of fitness and mobility.
Publication date: Oct 2004.
www.physiotherapy.ca
May 2005
Bone Smart
The Osteoporosis Society of Canada has launched an
exercise video for people with or at risk for osteoporosis.
The Bone Smart video features exercises to maintain
bone strength, improve posture and balance, strengthen
muscles, and increase flexibility. Bone Smart also
includes tips on how to move safely and avoid falls.
You can order your copy of the Bone Smart video by
contacting the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, Tel.: 1800-463-6842, Web site: www.osteoporosis.ca (use the
search function to find the resource).
May 2005
Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living
for Older Adults
This guide carefully outlines how older Canadians should build
30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity into their lives
most days of the week as a prescriptive for ongoing health and
independence. The Guide is based on years of collaborative
research among international experts who discovered the
beneficial effects of daily activity and its ability to slow down the
aging process. Older adults who maintain an active lifestyle will
enjoy better physical and mental health, better posture and
balance, more energy, regular sleep patterns, and prolonged
independent living in later years. Canada’s Physical Activity
Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults was developed
by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and Health
Canada, in partnership with the Active Living Coalition of Older
Adults, a community-based group with an interest in healthy
ageing. For more information on the Guide, visit Health
Canada's web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
May 2005
Canadian Declaration on Active Living and Older
Adults
The declaration is on a commemorative mini-poster
outlining Canada’s older-adult active-living guiding
principles. The Active Living Coalition for Older Adults
(ALCOA) produced the declaration to acknowledge the
International Year of Older Persons (1999) and to
recognize the contribution of older adults to Canada and
the importance of active living for human development.
The declaration poster can be ordered free of charge at
1-888-334-9769.
May 2005
Continuing Education Home Study Programs
The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)-a seniors' fitness and wellness association--and
Desert Southwest Fitness, Inc. (DSWFitness)--a
provider of distance learning continuing education
for health and fitness professionals-have developed three new home study programs.
Instructed by industry leaders, the courses are
designed specifically for people who work with
older adults and/or those who have special
medical conditions. To find out more about the
ICAA continuing education program, call 866-3359777 or visit www.icaa.cc.
May 2005
Curriculum Guidelines for Physical Activity
Instructors of Older Adults
These guidelines outline the major content needed in
any entry-level training program for physical activity
instructors of older adults. Publication date: 2004.
www.isapa.org (pdf, 16 pgs)
May 2005
Dare to Age Well!
The Division of Aging and Seniors (DAS) at
Health Canada (HC) is the focal point for ageing
and seniors' issues within Health Canada and the
federal government. The DAS also provides
research and operational support to the National
Advisory Council on Aging. Materials on the Dare
to Age Well! CD were produced and/or compiled
by the Division of Aging and Seniors, Health
Canada, to provide direct access to federal
government publications and photos related to
healthy ageing. To access the CD, visit http://dsppsd.pwgsc.gc.ca.
May 2005
Fit to Really Live
Fit to Really Live is a training session for caregivers
offered by the Institute for Positive Health for Seniors. For
more information, visit www.inst-positive-health.ca.
May 2005
Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older
Adults
Growing Stronger is based on exercises
that strengthen muscles, maintain the integrity of
bones, and improve balance, coordination, and
mobility. In addition, strength training can help
reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic
diseases, including arthritis. This strength-training
program was developed by Tufts University and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.
May 2005
Healthy Active Living for Older Adults
This brochure discusses five important areas:
1. Healthy Choices: Take charge of your health by making informed
choices about your physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual
well-being.
2. Wise Use of Medications: Information and practical tips on the
best use of medications.
3. Healthy Eating: How to improve your food choices and eating
habits.
4. Physical Activity: The benefits of physical activity and how to be
more active in a way that is right for you.
5. Stress Management: How to recognize and deal with stress in
your life.
For more information and to download the resource, visit the Lifestyle
Information Network web site at
www.lin.ca/lin/resource/html/sp0144.pdf.
May 2005
Healthy Happy Aging
The Institute of Positive Health for Seniors produces
Healthy Happy Aging/Veillir heureux et en santé. For
more information, contact the Institute of Positive
Health for Seniors
Tel.: 1-613-562-6314
E-mail: active-lifestyle@insti-positive-health.ca
Web site: www.inst-positive-health.ca
May 2005
ICAA Checklist - Fitness Facilities
Although mature adults are joining health and
wellness facilities faster than any other age group
today, many facilities are not prepared or equipped
to serve older members. The International Council
on Active Aging (ICAA), has created a checklist to
help mature adults rate and compare their local
fitness facilities and choose one that meets their
needs. To download the complete checklist, visit the
ICAA web site at www.icaa.cc/checklist.htm.
May 2005
Mature Adults Can Become Active
The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) has
produced 30 tips for older adults to become and stay
physically active. The ICAA is aware of the many
considerations older adults face when beginning an
active lifestyle. The 50-plus adult's physical capabilities
and chronic diseases make this individual's needs
different than those of a younger person. Too often
people jump into exercise or try to do what they did 20
years ago, injuring themselves in the process. For more
information, visit www.icaa.cc.
May 2005
National Institute on Aging (USA)
Looking for other ideas to include in your active
living lifestyle? Are you an older adult interested in
starting an exercise program? The National
Institute on Aging (USA) has developed a userfriendly web site that includes guidelines and
support resources to help older adults initiate an
exercise program. Web site topics include the
benefits of exercise; safety considerations;
exercise guidelines; ways to chart your progress;
and frequently asked questions. Print and video
resources are also available from this site. If you
are interested, please visit the National Institute of
Aging web site at http://nihseniorhealth.gov.
May 2005
Using Physical Exercise to Enhance the Health
of Adults 65+ Who Are Family Caregivers:
Executive Summary
This report summarizes a survey that aimed to
identify formal exercise programs for seniors (in
which adults who are 65+ and who are caregivers
may participate); unmet needs for such formal
exercise programs; barriers that limit
organizations' ability to offer such programs; sites
that might test and evaluate model exercise
programs.
www.cacc-acssc.com (pdf 12 pgs)
May 2005
Thank you !
Louise Daw
Provincial Consultant
Physical Activity Resource Centre
Louise@ophea.org
519.646.2121
www.ophea.net/parc
May 2005