Looking for a way to celebrate your JCC’s seniors? Host a Go4Life event in September, when this National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the NIH, sponsors Go4Life month.
This month-long focus on healthy living, promotes exercise as the key to aging gracefully. Go4Life, developed by the NIA, part of the National Institutes of Health, offers suggestions, ideas, and online tools to help seniors exercise and track their progress.
JCC Association has partnered with the government agency on this first Go4Life month, which is being held in conjunction with the White House Conference on Aging. And it is encouraging JCCs to host an event and share success stories. JCCs offer a variety of adult programming, and this is a way to offer well-researched exercise and wellness activities to participants, according to Arnie Sohinki, JCC Association vice president, program services.
“Go4Life provides great information and tools for seniors, whether they are sedentary or already active,” says Sohinki. “A Go4Life event targets a population that has been loyal to the JCC and addresses their wellness concerns, which they can tailor to their needs as they age.”
For September, other organizations are promoting intergenerational fitness and nutrition programs; hosting an intergenerational race in multiple sites; webinars; incorporating Go4Life into existing fitness and wellness programming; and holding a variety of activities from yoga classes, group chair aerobics and a Parkinson’s movement class. Other organizations are promoting Go4Life in blog posts and on social media.
According to recent data reported by the Federal interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, roughly 30 percent of people 45-64 say they engage in regular leisure-time physical activity. But that falls to 25 percent for those ages 65-74 and to 11 percent for people 85 and older.
The NIA at NIH sponsors the Go4Life exercise and physical activity campaign, which is designed to encourage older adults to be active every day. Dr. Richard J Hodes, director of the NIA, practices what the institute preaches — at the gym at the JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland.
“Exercise and physical activity are critical to health and well-being at any age,” says Hodes. “I am delighted that JCC Association is partnering with the NIA on Go4Life month. I am especially looking forward to seeing more older adults start or increase their levels of activity in September — and beyond.”
If you’re interested in sponsoring an event, contact Steve Becker. Be sure to check out the materials available to partners and share your success stories.
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