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For Immediate Release |
Media
Contact: Delisa Davis |
Henderson County Has Successful Active Aging Week
Seniors came from miles around to show that they are definitely young at heart and not afraid to try new things during Active Aging Week. Jazzercise, T’ai Chi, tap dancing and yoga were just a few of the fun activities that seniors participated in, often for free.
Active Aging Week ran in Henderson County from September 25th through October 1st. The Henderson County Council on Aging hosted the event, with support from Partnership for Health, many other community organizations, and academic partners from UNC and Western Carolina University.
Active Aging Week was initiated by the International Council on Active Aging to promote the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle. The goal was to introduce older adults to physical activity and exercise options through demonstrations, free classes, and seminars, as well as assessments to help individuals determine what programs would best meet their needs.
“This was a very positive, enriching experience. The availability and variety of physical activities is amazing,” said Virginia Harbison of Hendersonville.
The kickoff was held on September 25th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Whitmire Building at Lily Pond and Allen streets. Program leaders demonstrated various forms of exercise and participants were able to try the exercises along with the demonstrators. There were drawings for prizes and information on a variety of active options to take home.
Other open houses and demonstrations were held throughout the week. These included events sponsored by the Henderson County YMCA, the Lelia Patterson Center, Sammy Williams Center for Active Living, Partnership for Health, Ho Sin Sool Dojang, The Pump House, Opportunity House, Pardee Health Education Center, Pardee OutPatient Rehab Center, Park Ridge Home Health, Park Ridge Wellness on Wheels, NC Cooperative Extension Service, Western Carolina University, Tarheel Lanes Bowling, Boyd Park tennis courts and Cummings Cove Golf Course. The Walk Wise, Drive Smart program sponsored several walks and a scavenger hunt.
Seminars on nutrition and stretching the brain were also held along with Jazzercise, tap and ballroom dancing classes. Physical therapy students from Western Carolina University conducted fitness assessments at the Sammy Williams Center and made recommendations about appropriate physical activity. The activities were open to people of all ages.
The Council on Aging will soon begin planning for the 2007 Active Aging Week, which they hope will draw an even larger crowd and help establish Active Aging Week as a tradition in Henderson County.
For more information about Active Aging Week visit www.walk-wise.org and look in the Events section. A variety of photos are also available through the home page.
Walk Wise, Drive Smart is a neighborhood-based, senior-pedestrian-friendly initiative within Hendersonville, NC, and the surrounding areas. Building upon established community relationships and based on community input, the program aims to create more pedestrian-friendly environments for senior adults that can be replicated in similar settings in North Carolina and beyond. Please visit www.walk-wise.org for further information.
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