September is Healthy Aging Month

September is Healthy Aging® Month

Healthy Aging: Remaining healthy in mind, body, and spirit

September is Healthy Aging® Month. It is sponsored by Healthy Aging® Magazine. This annual observance is designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The main objective of Healthy Aging® Month is to encourage local level Healthy Aging® events that promote taking personal responsibility for one’s health.

But why is the idea of healthy aging so important?

According to Carolyn Worthington, editor-in-chief of Healthy Aging Magazine and executive director of Healthy Aging, it’s never too late to find a new career, a new sport, passion or hobby. Now in its second decade, Worthington says Healthy Aging Month provides inspiration and practical ideas for adults, ages 50-plus. Inspiration to improve their physical, mental, social and financial well being.

“Use September as the motivation to take stock of where you’ve been, what you really would like to do if money was no object,” says Worthington. “And try it! Who says you have to do something related to what you studied in school? Who says, you can’t start your own home business later in life. Test your physical prowess. Do something wildly different from anything you’ve done before?

And why select a whole month for the observance? September in particular?

According to Worthington, “We saw a need to draw attention to the myths of aging, to shout out ‘Hey, it’s not too late to take control of your health, it’s never too late to get started on something new.’ Why not think about the positive aspects of aging instead of the stereotypes and the negative aspects?” She says she chose September as a time when many people think about getting started on new tasks after the summer. Drawing on the “back to school” urge embedded in everyone from childhood, the Healthy Aging’s activities are designed to encourage people to rejuvenate. It encourages everyone to get going on positive measures that can impact their physical, social, financial and mental wellness.

September is Healthy Aging Month was first introduced when the baby boomers were about to turn 50. “At that time, no one wanted to talk about growing older,” Worthington says. “You know, it was that same ‘60’s attitude – ‘Don’t trust anyone over 30; hell no we won’t go.’ Today as the boomers turn 60 and 65, it’s a different story,” Worthington explains.

“We recognized early on that careful attention to the combination of physical, social, mental and financial fitness was powerful in the pursuit of a positive lifestyle, We have built our Healthy Aging® programs around that concept. We also encourage Healthy Aging® through TV specials, videos, books, printed material, our website and blogs.

“What’s new for the Healthy Aging campaign this year?

We plan continued growth of our print and digital Healthy Aging Magazine, now in its fifth issue. We are not about retirement. Nor are we a ‘senior’ magazine filled with articles about depression, incontinence or organ recitals. We are about vibrant, active, 50-plus people who are taking charge of their lives, following their passion, and who are happily looking forward to what’s next in life.”

For more information about Healthy Aging Month, or if you’d like to become a sponsor of the month of observance, visit healthyaging.net. The site also offers a free digital subscription to Healthy Aging Magazine.

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Blog Date: September 12, 2013

Writer: Ryan Allen