September is Healthy Aging® Month is an annual health observance month designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older.  The month, created  by Educational Television Network over 15 years ago,  is part of the Healthy Aging®, a national, ongoing health promotion designed to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging and to provide inspiration for adults, ages 50-plus, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial health.

In an effort to draw attention to the needs of the growing numbers of older adults, the month was developed to offer a second month on the calendar in addition to May is Older Americans Month.  September was chosen 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 observance month activities are designed to encourage people to rejuvenate and get going on positive health measures.  These measures include physical, social, financial and mental wellness.

According to Carolyn Worthington, ETNET president, “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?” 

The health information company created Healthy Aging® Month 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, it’s a different story.”

“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 and have built our Healthy Aging® programs around that concept for the government and private sector through the development of September is Healthy Aging® Month, TV specials, videos, books, printed material etc.”

What you can do to celebrate September is Healthy Aging® Month?  Get in training now for your positive older years… Begin this month to take more personal responsibility for your own health.  Here are some ideas:

1. PHYSICAL FITNESS.  Exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day.  If you do not know how to get started, you can begin just by walking.  Find a friend, don’t delay and make a “date” to meet every day or every other day to walk. Choose fun places to walk, like the local park, shopping mall, or even do laps around the local school track.  You will have fun and feel better about yourself immediately. 
2. DIET.  Make a commitment to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.  September is still harvest time in many areas so seek out local farmers markets and buy local produce.  Don’t cook?  Make it a point to try to make foods from scratch… skip the processed foods as much as you can. 
3. MENTAL WELLNESS.  Keep your mind sharp.  This month, choose a new activity that will sharpen your mental skills.  What about taking piano lessons?  It’s never too late!  Check out your local continuing education at schools, senior centers, YMCA’s, YWCA’s for opportunities.  There are many one day, or one evening courses to spark you imagination.
4. SOCIAL WELLNESS.  Happy older adults often cite the importance of a social network.  Feeling lonely?  Make it a point to call at least one person every few days to “connect.”  Make a date to have lunch and just “catch up”.  What about volunteering your time?  You will give of yourself, be around others and help someone in need.  A win-win for all!

Do you have tips for positive aging?  Share them on line.  Post your ideas of how you take positive steps toward better health care.  Go to www.healthyaging.net and share your ideas!

For further information and resources, go to the official Healthy Aging® website:  www.healthyaging.net.  For a Healthy Aging® brochure, filled with more tips and techniques, send $2.00 to Educational Television Network, Inc., (ETNET), PO Box 442, Unionville, PA  19375