Continued from page 38 - International Council on Active Aging

T H E J O U R N A L O N 

September/October 2011, Vol. 10 No. 5 

The physical activity issue 

What’s shakin’ now? 

Is whole body vibration 

effective with older adults? 

A gateway exercise 

Activating the 50-plus 

through pole walking & 

exercise programs 

Working the waves 

A cardio-resistance workout 

in shallow water

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4 

The Journal on Active Aging® 

September/October 2011, Vol. 10 No. 5 

PUBLISHER 

Colin Milner, colinmilner@icaa.cc 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Jenifer Milner, jenifermilner@icaa.cc 

VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION 

Patricia Ryan, MS, patryan@icaa.cc 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 

Julie Milner, juliemilner@icaa.cc 

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES 

Krystyna Kasprzak, BA, krystynakasprzak@icaa.cc 

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 

Marilynn Larkin, MA, mlarkin@icaa.cc 

ART DIRECTOR 

Jacob Benaroch 

The Journal on Active Aging® is published six times per 

year by the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® 

(ICAA), a division of ICAA Services Inc. Contact 

ICAA to find out about membership or subscriptions 

to the Journal on Active Aging® or ICAA Functional U®. 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® 

3307 Trutch Street 

Vancouver BC V6L 2T3 Canada 

Toll-free: 866-335-9777 

Tel: 604-734-4466 

Fax: 604-708-4464 

www.icaa.cc 

All articles published in the Journal on Active Aging® are 

indexed by subject and stored in the “Articles archives” in 

the members only section of the ICAA website. In addition, 

every issue is posted in its entirety in the “Publications” 

section for members. 

Editorial submissions are welcome. Please send material to 

Jenifer Milner, Editor-in-Chief. Submissions may be edited 

for length, style, content and clarity. 

The Journal on Active Aging® ISSN 1814-9162 (print), 

ISSN 1814-9170 (online). 

Contents copyright ©2011 by the <strong>International</strong> 

<strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging®. All rights reserved. Send 

permissions requests to Access Copyright by emailing 

permissions@accesscopyright.ca. 

Disclaimer: The Publisher and Authors recognize 

that older adults have medical and physical conditions 

that affect the appropriate application of the 

recommendations and exercises published in the 

Journal on Active Aging®. Consult with a physician, 

physical therapist, or other trained health or exercise 

professional before using the exercises. The Publisher and 

Authors are not responsible for any injury or 

adverse effects <strong>from</strong> the application of the material 

in the articles. 

The Journal on Active Aging September/October 2011 www.icaa.cc 

Illustration: Jacob Benaroch 

The Journal on Active Aging July/August 2011 www.icaa.cc 47 

C O N T 

The physical activity issue 

Features 

Industry development ICAA Champions program: a 

quick-start guide for you & your organization pg. 24 

Part of ICAA’s Changing the Way We Age® Campaign, the ICAA 

Champions program enlists organizations and individuals to serve as 

role models and educators. By Marilynn Larkin, MA 

Gerontology Lessons for living: The Legacy Project 

collects and disseminates elder wisdom pg. <strong>38</strong> 

Collected and preserved by this research project, life lessons offered 

by older adults challenge society’s ageism by showing that, far <strong>from</strong> 

being obsolete, today’s elders are invaluable resources for younger 

generations. By Karl Pillemer, PhD 

Research review Whole body vibration, part one: 

what’s shakin’ now? pg. 46 

How effective is whole body vibration as a training tool for older 

adults? Explore the evidence in this comprehensive review of the latest 

findings. By Joseph Signorile, PhD 

ICAA Advisory Board 

• Lorrayne Anthony, BSc, The Canadian Press 

• Ginger Anzalone, MBA, Vesta Facilities Management 

• Steven Blair, PED, Arnold School of Public 

Health, University of South Carolina 

• Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, PhD, University of 

Illinois at Urbana–Champaign 

• Marge Coalman, EdD, Touchmark Retirement 

Communities 

• Sandy Coffman, Programming for Profit 

• Dianna Densmore, PhD, Centers for Disease 

Control & Prevention 

• Terry Ferebee Eckmann, PhD, Minot State 

University 

• William J. Evans, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline 

• Terry Fay, BA, Senior Lifestyle Corporation 

• Kathie Garbe, PhD, University of North 

Carolina–Asheville 

• Ben Hurley, PhD, University of Maryland School 

of Public Health 

• Jessie Jones, PhD, California State University, 

Fullerton 

• Judy Kruger, PhD, Centers for Disease Control & 

Prevention 

• Bob Laventure, MEd, British Heart Foundation 

National Centre for Physical Activity and Health 

• Rita Lopienski, MA, Plymouth Place Senior Living 

• Brenda Loube, MS, Corporate Fitness Works 

• Jan Montague, MGS, Whole Person Wellness 

Solutions, Inc. 

• Kevin O’Neil, MD, Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. 

• Phil Page, MS, Thera-Band Academy 

• Christine Phan, MD, Kaiser Permanente 

• Barbara Resnick, PhD, University of Maryland 

School of Nursing 

• Khristine Rogers, BA, Atria Senior Living Group 

• Michael E. Rogers, PhD, Wichita State University 

• Debra Rose, PhD, California State University, 

Fullerton 

• John Rude, MS, Age Dynamics, Inc. 

• Mary E. Sanders, PhD, School of Medicine, 

University of Nevada, Reno 

• Martha Schram, BS, Aegis Therapies 

• Maria Fiatarone Singh, MD, University of Sydney 

• Kathy Smith, BBA, Kathy Smith Lifestyles 

• Lynn Thorneburg, JD, Institute for Preventive 

Foot Health 

• Kay Van Norman, MS, Brilliant Aging 

• Wayne Westcott, PhD, Quincy College

E N T S 

Articles 

ICAA @ 10 ICAA turns 10: a ‘high five’ to the ICAA 

community pg. 22 

Congratulations to the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® community 

on a decade of inspiring older adults to lead healthy, active and 

engaged lives. 

ICAA @ 10 ICAA’s top 10 articles on marketing pg. 34 

Looking for marketing advice or inspiration? Check out these 10 articles 

on the topic published previously in the Journal on Active Aging®. 

ICAA Innovators An African drumming circle 

promotes active aging at Willamette Oaks pg. 60 

A nontraditional activity offers multidimensional wellness benefits 

(and a real workout!) for active, independent older adults at this family-owned 

retirement community. 

Physical wellness Activating older adults with 

‘Nordic’ pole walking & exercise programs pg. 66 

For individuals of all ages and abilities, pole walking and exercise programs 

can be a “gateway exercise” to improve health and function. By 

Tom Rutlin, BS 

Plus: Five ways to create thriving pole 

walking programs for older adults pg. 71 

This brief introduction highlights a few wellness/ 

fitness-building pole walking and exercise programs, 

along with tips to ensure participant safety. By Peggy 

Buchanan, MA 

Splash! Catch a current for shallow wave cardioresistance 

training pg. 72 

Participants can meet training objectives for cardiorespiratory training 

through shallow water exercise. Learn more about the impact of 

shallow water activity and gain a <strong>page</strong>-to-pool lesson plan for a cardioresistance 

workout. By Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP 

Columns & departments 

6 

Comment 

8 

Industry news 

16 

News <strong>from</strong> ICAA 

Preferred Vendors 

18 

Research in the news 

84 

ICAA Preferred Vendors 

94 

ICAA directions 

THE ICAA 

PHILOSOPHY 

Changing the way 

we age ® 

We can change the way we age 

by staying active, to the fullest 

extent possible, within all areas of 

life: physical, spiritual, emotional, 

intellectual, professional, social and 

environmental. Aging 

within these dimensions of 

wellness keeps us involved, alert 

and enjoying a productive life. 

Active aging 

The concept of active aging is 

summed up in the phrase “engaged 

in life.” Individuals can participate in 

life as fully as possible, regardless of 

socioeconomic status or health 

conditions, within the wellness 

dimensions. 

Age-friendly 

ICAA’s age-friendly philosophy 

designates programs that provide 

the information, access and 

motivation people need to become 

and stay active through all levels of 

functional ability. 

The Journal on Active Aging September/October 2011 www.icaa.cc 5

It’s 2 a.m. and I can’t sleep. Sitting on the 

balcony of my hotel room in Abu Dhabi, 

I feel consumed by the Arabian heat and 

the events of the past two days. 

I just attended the fourth annual meeting 

of the World Economic Forum’s Network 

of Global Agenda <strong>Council</strong>s. Billed 

as the world’s largest think tank, this 

group of 700 members includes Nobel 

laureates, presidents, prime ministers, 

ambassadors, lords, ladies, distinguished 

professors, and a wide assortment of 

business leaders who gather to tackle the 

world’s vital challenges. 

This year’s Summit on the Global Agenda 

focused on the transformations that 

are reshaping our world and what new 

models we need in order to adapt to and 

address these changes. The issues are 

many. Each of these is tackled by a Global 

Agenda <strong>Council</strong> of 15–20 thought 

leaders <strong>from</strong> around the globe. Yet front 

and center at the Summit was population 

aging and its impact on almost every 

issue represented at the meeting. 

The rapid rise of population aging is 

not only an issue that interests virtually 

all the Global Agenda <strong>Council</strong>s in the 

Forum’s network, but it is also one that 

cannot be managed with yesterday’s 

tools and expertise. So, what new models 

are needed to better address this shift? 

Those of us in the field of aging realize 

that many “one size fits all” solutions 

simply don’t work. A good example: 

prescription medications. We may take a 

drug to solve a health issue, yet that drug 

6 


COMMENT 

Addressing aging populations 

and perceptions 

may be effective in only a portion of users. 

And, in many cases, the actual cause 

of the health problem becomes difficult 

to ascertain, especially with multiple 

health issues. A proposed solution: precision 

medicine. This approach would 

use genomics (applying techniques related 

to genetics and molecular biology) 

to better diagnose health issues, leading 

to more effective treatments and the use 

of less medication. Precision medicine 

might also ease the impact of a shortage 

of geriatricians. 

Another recognized new model is to 

expand views of aging among governments, 

businesses, cities, families and 

individuals, so aging is seen as an opportunity 

and not just a challenge. Many 

have been talking about this approach 

for years. Frankly, that’s exactly where 

this solution has stayed for a majority of 

parties. The “new” model involves doing 

something about it. This is one of numerous 

recommendations made by our 

Network council, the Global Agenda 

<strong>Council</strong> on Ageing Society. The full 

report, along with recommendations, is 

being developed into a monograph that 

the World Economic Forum will introduce 

to global leaders and the G20 at its 

annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, 

this coming spring. 

The <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® 

and the ICAA community have never 

waited for change to happen around 

us, though. We have been agents of 

change since October 1, 2001, when we 

set out to address perceptions and dispel 

myths about aging, while improving 

quality of life for older adults. With this 

year’s launch of ICAA’s Changing the 

Way We Age® Campaign, we intend to 

help shift society’s perceptions of what it 

means to become older in today’s world. 

Your involvement and support will help 

make this a reality. 

A key campaign component is the ICAA 

Champions program (described in the 

article on <strong>page</strong>s 24–33). This program 

seeks to enlist “organizations and individuals 

to serve as role models and 

educators in the effort to shift society’s 

perceptions of aging” and show the full 

spectrum of aging. By coming together 

in these efforts, all of us who care about 

how we age in society can make a solid 

push toward changing perceptions, overturning 

stereotypes and promoting more 

realistic views of aging. 

Colin Milner, CEO 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging®

George ad full 8-28-11:Layout 1 8/28/11 8:53 AM Page 1 

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Industry NEWS 

The Friendship Village of Bloomington, a Minnesota life care community, held a ribbon cutting and grand opening for its 

fitness center on October 3, 2011. The new facility’s outdoor areas include a courtyard, putting green and patio. Image courtesy 

of Friendship Village of Bloomington 

Bloomington community 

opens fitness center 

After four years of planning, fundraising 

and construction, Friendship Village 

of Bloomington, Minnesota, unveiled a 

US$7.5-million fitness center on October 

3. The new facility, which enhances 

the community’s FitSix Wellness Program, 

boasts more than 17,000 sq. ft. 

of space. Features include a salt-water 

pool and spa, gym with age-friendly 

equipment, snack bar, exercise studio 

and indoor golf simulator. In addition, 

residents can take advantage of instructor-led 

classes, personal trainers, health 

education, massage therapy, and other 

services and amenities. Prospective residents 

are also invited to become a fitness 

center member. 

More than $2.5 million of the funds 

needed to complete the project were 

raised by the residents of Friendship Vil- 

8 

lage, a life care community managed by 

not-for-profit provider Lifespace Communities. 

To acknowledge this contribution, 

the building has a donor wall dedicated 

to those who made the fitness center 

possible. The venue’s interiors include 

tall ceilings with clerestory windows (a 

row of small windows located above eye 

level) to allow an abundance of natural 

light, while outdoor areas feature new 

landscaping, a putting green and a patio 

with stone fireplace. This area will also 

serve as the new site for the community’s 

farmer’s market. 

“As members of the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> 

on Active Aging, we keep an eye on 

trends in senior living communities,” says 

Karen Lloyd, director of wellness programs 

for Friendship Village of Bloomington. 

“The new fitness center will ensure 

that current and future residents will 

have a perfect place to live well.” 


NAHB calls for entries, 

adds categories to 50+ 

housing awards 

As of press time, the Washington, DCbased 

National Association of Home 

Builders (NAHB) 50+ Housing <strong>Council</strong> 

is still accepting nominations for the 

2012 Best of 50+ Housing Awards. These 

awards honor excellence in building, design 

and marketing of housing for Boomers 

and beyond. This year, the program 

has added 14 new categories, including 

“Best Integration of Technology,” “Best 

‘Green’ Community,” “Best Streetscape or 

Neighborhood,” “Best Fitness and Wellness 

Program” and “Best Universal Designed 

Home,” among others. All builders, 

developers, marketers and designers 

of housing for the age 50-plus adult are 

invited to enter the awards competition. 

Winners will be announced next February 

at the NAHB <strong>International</strong> Builders’ 

Show in Orlando, Florida.

“The Best of 50+ Housing Awards are 

this industry’s most influential national 

awards,” believes 50+ Housing <strong>Council</strong> 

Chair Ken Simons, a developer <strong>from</strong> 

Bedminster, New Jersey. “The awards 

not only recognize the best of the country’s 

top builders and developers in the 

50+ housing sector, but also show the 

public the newest and most innovative 

housing trends for mature buyers and 

renters.” 

NAHB is accepting online applications 

until November 7, 2011, with final entries 

due by November 21. All entries 

must be submitted electronically. Information 

on entry applications, payments 

and all other materials can be found at 

www.nahb.org/50plusawards. 

Del Webb raises thousands of 

dollars for cancer research 

Del Webb Communities, a brand of 

Michigan-based homebuilder Pulte 

Group Inc., recently helped to raise 

nearly US$14,000 for the Susan G. Komen 

for the Cure cancer foundation. According 

to Sean Strickler, vice president 

of sales for the active-adult community 

brand, Del Webb hosted “Cook for the 

Cure” fundraisers simultaneously in the 

following five Florida communities: 

• Del Webb Stone Creek in Ocala 

• Sweetwater by Del Webb in 

Jacksonville 

• Riverwood at Nocatee by Del 

Webb in Ponte Vedra 

• Del Webb Orlando in Davenport 

• Del Webb Southshore Falls in 

Apollo Beach, near Tampa 

Residents contributed donations and bid 

on silent auction items, Strickler reports. 

Cook for the Cure is a decade-long 

partnership between Komen and KitchenAid, 

which has raised more than $8 

million for the cause through the sale of 

pink cooking products, celebrity chef 

auctions and grassroots initiatives. 

Hebrew SeniorLife receives 

funds to expand healthy 

aging programs 

In late August, Boston-based Hebrew 

SeniorLife (HSL) announced it had received 

a two-year grant <strong>from</strong> the Tufts 

Health Plan Foundation to expand and 

implement healthy aging programs in 

Massachusetts, as well as to develop two 

pilot “healthy aging program communities” 

in Lawrence and Framingham. 

HSL, an affiliate of Harvard Medical 

School, was awarded US$117,000 in 

funding for the first year of the grant. 

A nonprofit dedicated to research, 

healthcare, education and housing, HSL 

will work with community agencies and 

leaders in Massachusetts to expand the 

Healthy Eating for Successful Living in 

Older Adults program to an additional 

1,200–1,600 people. The organization 

will also use its partnership with the 

Multi-Cultural Coalition on Aging, a 

network of community leaders <strong>from</strong> 

culturally diverse neighborhoods, to 

reach particularly vulnerable populations 

in ethnic communities who are at 

higher risk for chronic illnesses. For the 

“healthy aging program communities” 

pilots, HSL will engage older adults during 

six-month events, helping steer them 

toward better health through evidence- 

<strong>Continued</strong> on <strong>page</strong> 10 


Industry NEWS <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 9 

In Rochester, New York, the Highlands of 

Pittsford celebrated the groundbreaking 

for its expansion, which includes a health 

and wellness center. Photo: Kate Melton 

Photography. Image courtesy of The Highlands 

of Pittsford 

based programming in healthy eating 

and in diabetes and chronic disease selfmanagement. 

“The nation’s rapidly growing senior 

population is currently confronting an 

array of debilitating and life-threatening 

diseases and disabilities,” says Robert 

J. Schreiber, MD, HSL’s chief medical 

officer. “Our goal is to help seniors continue 

to maintain their independence 

and improve their quality of life through 

increased exercise, improved nutrition, 

enhanced social engagement, and 

increased motivation to self-manage 

chronic illness.” 

Wellness drives expansion of 

university-affiliated senior 

living community 

The Highlands at Pittsford, a senior 

living community affiliated with the 

University of Rochester, New York, 

celebrated the groundbreaking for a 

US$4.8-million expansion on October 5. 

The highlight of the expansion is a twostory 

Health and Wellness Center, slated 

to open in May 2012. This facility will 

include a therapy pool, a fitness center 

with changing rooms, a juice bar, spa 

treatment rooms, a salon and an auditorium. 

In addition, the Highlands’ main 

dining room will be relocated to the 

10 

expansion and will overlook a courtyard 

with water features. Laurelwood, The 

Highlands’ assisted living community, 

will also undergo some renovations. 

The new Health and Wellness Center 

will be home to The Highlands’ lifelong 

wellness program. With these facilities 

as its centerpiece, the community 

will launch its focus on the seven dimensions 

of wellness promoted by the 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging 

(i.e., emotional, intellectual, physical, 

vocational, social, spiritual and environmental 

wellness). To implement this 

wellness philosophy, The Highlands has 

appointed Judy Sims, a registered nurse 

with more than 25 years of experience 

in senior living, as the center’s director. 

Sims will develop programming aimed 

at supporting overall wellness for residents 

and build upon established efforts 

such as the UR Always Learning and To 

Your Health lecture series featuring University 

of Rochester faculty. 

Comments Executive Director Lloyd 

Theiss, “We look forward to bringing 

our residents an innovative Health and 

Wellness Center as the focal point of 

wellness initiatives that are at the heart 

and soul of independent living and assisted 

living at The Highlands.” 

Five organizations awarded 

mobile health grants 

With funding <strong>from</strong> The SCAN Foundation 

in Long Beach, California, the Center 

for Technology and Aging (CTA) is 

investing a total of US$477,150 in one‐ 

year grants to five organizations that will 

demonstrate the best ways to implement 

mobile health (mHealth) technologies 

for older adults with chronic health 

conditions. The CTA grantees are both 

public and private health and social 

services provider organizations “that 

are each forging a different path toward 

mHealth‐enabled healthcare quality and 

cost improvement,” according to the 

Oakland-based nonprofit. These organizations 

include: 


Do you have news to share? 

The Journal on Active Aging® welcomes 

your news submissions. Please 

send press releases to publications@ 

icaa.cc—the Journal’s email for submissions—and 

staff will consider 

your news for possible publication. 

Newsworthy topics include such 

things as facility openings; initiative 

or campaign launches; announcements 

of awards, promotions or 

grants; and other topics of interest 

to active-aging professionals. 

• CalOptima, Orange County, California—preventing 

or delaying transitions 

of Medicare members with 

heart disease to higher levels of care 

settings using mHealth and wireless 

solutions 

• Family Services Agency of San Francisco—using 

a cloud‐based electronic 

health record with a tablet‐based 

touchscreen assessment and care 

planning tool to improve assessment, 

service coordination and outcome 

evaluation for frail and isolated, low‐ 

income older adults, including some 

with behavioral health or substance 

abuse issues 

• Front Porch Center for Technology 

Innovation and Wellbeing, Los Angeles—addressing 

medication adherence 

among active, independent older 

adults using a medication adherence 

app for cell phones 

• HealthInsight, Utah—using an 

SMS-based (Short Message Service) 

mHealth intervention to improve diabetes 

education and care management 

in older adults 

• Sharp HealthCare Foundation, San 

Diego—managing chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease care by remotely 

monitoring patients 

<strong>Continued</strong> on <strong>page</strong> 12

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Industry NEWS <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 10 

In conjunction with the grants, CTA 

released the position paper “mHealth 

Technologies: Applications to Benefit 

Older Adults.” This paper discusses 

how cell phones, smart phones, laptop 

and tablet computers, and other mobile‐enabled 

devices are being used to 

help millions of older adults—as well as 

their physicians and caregivers—manage 

chronic disease, use medications 

properly, avoid safety risks, access online 

health information, and stay well. The 

document is available online at www. 

techandaging.org/mHealth_Position_ 

Paper_Discussion_Draft.pdf. 

Seniors center opens in 

Maryland 

Guests packed the “great room” at the 

Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center 

in Laurel, Maryland, for a dedication 

ceremony in September to officially open 

this new venue. The center contains more 

than 23,000 sq. ft. of amenities that users 

requested, according to the Prince 

George’s County Department of Parks 

and Recreation. These amenities include 

a full catering kitchen, arts and crafts 

rooms, computer learning and educational 

classrooms, fitness and meeting 

rooms, a billiards room, a lounge, a snack 

bar, office space, and storage. The great 

room—which seats 250 guests at tables or 

300 people in theater seating—will host 

a variety of activities, including concerts 

and musical performances. To increase 

usage, this space can divide into four 

smaller rooms. 

The facility’s opening “is the culmination 

of years of work,” said Elizabeth 

Hewlett, chair of the Prince George’s 

County Planning Board, during the ceremony. 

“Everyone here today had been 

advocating for, working for, and waiting 

for this new center to open. From day 

one, the effort to build this … center has 

truly been a cooperative effort between 

State, County, and local elected officials 

and government agencies, citizen advocates, 

and corporate and community 

partners.” 

12 

Panorama earns CARF-CCAC 

reaccreditation 

CARF-CCAC, the Washington, DCbased 

accreditors of continuing care 

retirement communities and other aging 

services, recently awarded a five-year accreditation 

term to the Panorama community 

in Lacey, Washington. According 

to Panorama, the CARF-CCAC surveyors 

determined that the community 

met 98.3% of set standards. Community 

strengths highlighted in the survey 

include the following, among 

others: 

• Leadership’s relationship with residents 

is strong regarding joint projects, 

such as the construction of the 

Panorama Auditorium, Aquatic 

and Fitness Center, additional 

Patio Sale storage, Pet Partners Park, 

Moves and more 

Kathryn Irvine Tasker has been 

named vice president for research administration 

at Hebrew SeniorLife in 

Boston, Massachusetts, where she will 

be responsible for the Institute for 

Aging Research … Adam Perlman, 

MD, MPH, is now executive director 

of Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke 

University Health System in Durham, 

North Carolina … Neal Miller recently 

joined Masterpiece Living, LLC, as 

an operations specialist in its Denver, 

Colorado, office … WCI Communities, 

based in Bonita Springs, Florida, 

has promoted Paul Erhardt to senior 

vice president of community 

development and operations … the 

Gerontological Society of America 

(GSA) in Washington, DC, chose 

Luigi Ferrucci, MD, PhD, scientific 

director at the National Institute on 

Aging, as the 2011 Joseph T. Freeman 

Award recipient … GSA also selected 

Alan Jette, PhD, of Boston University 

as recipient of the 2011 Excellence 


the Pea Patch, ILS Social Workers, 

etc. .... 

• The array of activity choices caters to 

a wide variety of resident needs and 

interests, not only due to facilities but 

also exceptional programming. 

CARF-CCAC’s accreditation decision 

closes with a comment about the 140acre 

campus. “The exterior landscaping 

and garden-like appearance is not only 

appreciated by the residents,” it says, 

“but also by the larger community, including 

the State of Washington.” 

“Panorama is extremely proud of these 

results,” states the community’s press 

release. It also points out that “seeking 

accreditation is voluntary and an 

example of Panorama’s commitment to 

continuous improvement.” 

in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons 

Award … Rita Lopienski, an <strong>International</strong> 

<strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging Advisory 

Board member, recently joined 

Plymouth Place Senior Living in La 

Grange Park, Illinois, as community 

life director … Bernadine Healy, a 

cardiologist who served as the first 

woman to head the US National Institutes 

of Health and as a president 

of the American Red Cross, died in 

August at age 67 <strong>from</strong> complications 

of a brain tumor … John Midolo was 

named executive director of The Village 

at Orchard Ridge in Winchester, 

Virginia, which is scheduled to open 

in 2013 … Beedie Jones, manager of 

Mather’s—More Than a Café on 83 rd 

Street in Chatham, Illinois, recently 

received the distinguished Life Services 

Network “Honoring Excellence” 

award … and Alison Simpson became 

the new manager of Joplin Senior 

Center when it reopened on August 

22, three months after being damaged 

by a tornado that leveled one-third of 

the Missouri city.

Sit and Be Fit’s Mary Ann Wilson (at right) greets some fans who participated in 

her live workout event in New York City’s Central Park. Photo: John Cole. Image 

courtesy of Sit and Be Fit 

Sit and Be Fit host leads 

workouts in New York City 

Mary Ann Wilson, RN, host of the Sit 

and Be Fit health-and-fitness television 

series, was the featured guest at two live 

events in New York City in September. 

The free events were among those 

planned for the inaugural season of the 

“The Scene @ Tavern on the Green,” a 

partnership between the Central Park 

© 2011 Ball Dynamics <strong>International</strong>, LLC. FitBALL is a registered trademark of Ball Dynamics <strong>International</strong> 

Conservancy, New York City Parks Department, 

and New York City Mayor’s 

Office of Media and Entertainment. The 

initiative uses the iconic Manhattan restaurant 

location in Central Park as part 

of “Fitness Fridays.” Live group-exercise 

shows support a citywide effort to draw 

older adults into the 843-acre park to 

enjoy the scenic walking paths and natural 

attractions. 

Congratulations to ICAA on your 10th anniversary! 

• Improve core strength for functional movement 

• Improve balance & proprioception 

• Increase muscle strength 

• Enhance lymphatic circulation 

• Pelvic floor strengthening 

• Low-impact cardiovascular workouts 

Inclement weather forced the move of 

Wilson’s first event, which took place 

on September 23, to the Educational 

Alliance’s Sirovich Senior Center in the 

East Village. But on September 30, more 

than 100 individuals <strong>from</strong> local seniors 

centers joined her in a one-hour workout 

under the trees at the Tavern at the 

Green. Sit and Be Fit has a strong following 

in the New York market, including 

on NYC life (channel 25), which filmed 

the workout to air later in the season. 

This TV station falls under the umbrella 

of the City of New York’s official network, 

NYC Media. Created and hosted 

by Wilson, the award-winning Sit and Be 

Fit series has been airing for 24 years on 

public broadcasting stations across the 

United States. 


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14 

Industry news: studies, campaigns and programs 

British Columbia launches 

Age-friendly BC 

In September, the Government of British 

Columbia launched Age-friendly BC, a 

grant and recognition program to help 

local governments create environments 

in which older adults will be able to enjoy 

good health and active participation in 

their community. 

“An age-friendly community is where 

older British Columbians are supported 

to live active, socially engaged and independent 

lives,” said Christy Clark, premier 

of the Canadian province. “We are 

working with local governments and the 

Union of British Columbia Municipalities 

to provide [CDN]$650,000 in grants and 

award local efforts to create communities 

where people of all ages and abilities feel 

valued and included throughout their 

life.” 

Age-friendly BC is built around three key 

components: recognition, support and 

information. To be recognized as an Agefriendly 

BC community, local governments 

can apply to show that they have 

met criteria that focus on older adults’ 

engagement, commitment, assessment 

and action. A new guide, along with other 

information to help communities achieve 

each step, can be found online at www. 

seniorsbc.ca/agefriendly. 

Hearst Foundations awards 

grant for physician training in 

older-adult care 

The New York-based Association of Directors 

of Geriatric Academic Programs, 

in partnership with Boston Medical 

Center, has received a US$600,000 grant 

<strong>from</strong> the Hearst Foundations to support a 

program entitled Chief Resident Immersion 

Training in the Care of Older Adults 

(CRIT). The CRIT program familiarizes 

chief residents with health problems 

common among older adults, the assessment 

of older patients, preoperative and 

postoperative evaluation, and management 

and discharge planning. 

This is the first year of a potential fouryear, 

US$2.2-million project that will be 

evaluated annually, with the possibility of 

renewed funding. The four schools selected 

to participate in the CRIT program 

this year include Northeast Ohio Medical 

University, Stony Brook School of Medicine, 

University of Arizona College of 

Medicine, and Warren Alpert School of 

Medicine of Brown University. 

To date, the CRIT program has been conducted 

44 times at 16 institutions across 

the United States. A total of 675 chief 

residents and 205 faculty representing 29 

medical and surgical specialties have been 

trained. The program is part of the Hearst 

Foundations new Aging Initiative, which 

supports three major training programs 

in geriatric medicine and nursing, and 

hospice and palliative medicine. 

EU creates group to steer 

innovation on active and 

healthy aging 

The number of Europeans ages 65-plus 

is expected to increase by 45% between 

2008 and 2030, and even further to over 

30% of the population by 2060. This challenge 

needs to be tackled at the European 

Union (EU) level to help older adults 

enjoy an active and healthy life, according 

to an EU-led steering group that 

met for the first time in May in Brussels, 

Belgium. This group is made up of EU 

member states, regions, industry, health- 

and social care professionals, older-adult 

and patient organizations and related 

interest groups. Members discussed how 

to improve the health and quality of life 

of older people, increase sustainability 

of healthcare systems, and create new 

growth and market opportunities for 

Europe. The strategy will form an integral 

part of Europe 2020’s Innovation Union 

and Digital Agenda flagships. 

European Commissioner for Health and 

Consumer Policy John Dalli says: “With 

this Partnership, we are treading new 

ground. Active and healthy aging is the 


very first topic which has been chosen 

as a priority in a European Innovation 

Partnership. I believe that this is a very 

important political signal. Active and 

healthy aging is central for our citizens. 

Our common objective is to raise the average 

number of healthy life years by two 

by the year 2020.” 

In future meetings, the steering group 

will look at how to use innovation to improve 

quality of care, cost-efficiency and 

economic opportunities. It will also assess 

how existing policies, instruments and 

programs can better contribute to tackling 

the barriers in this area. 

CNCS awards Americorps 

grant to ReServe 

ReServe, Inc., has received a grant of almost 

US$472,000 <strong>from</strong> the Corporation 

for National and Community Service 

(CNCS), a US federal agency that fosters 

civic engagement. New York-based 

ReServe provides opportunities for older 

adults (known as “ReServists”) to serve 

their communities while enhancing their 

own lives—and receiving a stipend. With 

this grant, 116 ReServists will serve as 

college readiness counselors, mentors, 

and adult education specialists in highneed 

schools and public libraries not 

only in New York City, but also in 

Miami, Florida, and Baltimore, 

Maryland. 

Since ReServe’s founding, organizations 

throughout the US have recognized the 

value of its model. In response, the Atlantic 

Philanthropies awarded ReServe a 

grant in 2009 to bring its model to other 

cities. The AmeriCorps award comes as 

ReServe is set to launch affiliates in Miami 

and Baltimore, operated by Catalyst 

Miami and the Social Work Community 

Outreach Service (SWCOS) of the 

University of Maryland School of Social 

Work. As a condition of the CNCS grant, 

ReServe and its partners have committed 

to securing matching funds of nearly 

$900,000.

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16 

NEWS <strong>from</strong> ICAA Preferred Vendors 

SCIFIT’s Function C3 

SCIFIT unveils multiplane 

resistance trainer 

New <strong>from</strong> SCIFIT, the Function C3 

provides three compound movements 

commonly found in rehabilitation, exercise 

and sports training—terminal knee 

extension, compound core flexion and 

compound trunk extension. Invented by 

medical exercise specialist Andy Baxter, 

the unit uses multiplane resistance to emphasize 

these movements. The Function 

C3 features a solid steel platform, Lifeline 

USA resistance tubes, adjustable hip and 

knee belts to accommodate users of different 

heights, and the Bio-Flex foot bed 

system. An optional visual feedback device 

and balance system is also available. For 

more details, call toll-free 800-278-3933 or 

visit www.scifit.com. 

ACE COO named, CEO honored 

The American <strong>Council</strong> on Exercise (ACE) 

has promoted Janet Frenkel to chief 

operating officer. In this newly created 

position, Frenkel is responsible for the 

implementation and execution of overall 

strategic objectives, as well as for providing 

operational leadership for core and 

consumer business. She previously served 

as the nonprofit organization’s executive 

vice president of marketing and sales. 

In other ACE news, CEO Scott Goudeseune 

has been appointed president-elect 

of the National Coalition for Promoting 

Physical Activity’s board of directors. 

Goudeseune formerly served as the coalition’s 

treasurer. For ACE/ICAA course 

bundles, see www.acefitness.org/myicaa. 

HUR offers free webinars on 

fall prevention 

HUR is inviting professionals responsible 

for implementing fall prevention programs 

to participate in a free HUR Health and 

Fitness Equipment Fall Prevention webinar 

this fall. Recent data show that falls are 

the leading reason for injury deaths among 

adults ages 65-plus. HUR balance testing 

and strength exercises—the subject of the 

webinars—can be used to assess fall risk 

and potentially mitigate its consequences, 

according to the company. Upcoming webinars 

will be held 1–1:45 p.m. (CST) on 

Wednesday, November 16, and 11–11:45 

a.m. (CST) on Monday, December 12. To 

register, send an email to juha.vaisanen@ 

hurusa.com. 

Masterpiece Living initiative 

analyzes self-reported health 

Studies show that older adults’ perceptions 

of their health relate to future health outcomes. 

So Masterpiece Living investigated 

how residents in its communities rate their 

health compared to national averages. 

Data were analyzed on 210 individuals (average 

age 81 at baseline) who rated their 

health three times over a two- year period. 

Analysis showed that Masterpiece communities 

report significantly higher scores in 

four of eight self-rated health areas: overall 

health, energy level, social functioning and 

emotional health. These higher levels of 

perceived health and functioning were sustained 

over time. Email Teresa Beshwate at 

tbeshwate@mymasterpieceliving.com for 

more information. 

Iron Grip free weights 

featured on television show 

Season 12 of NBC’s The Biggest Loser will 

once again use Iron Grip’s urethane Olympic 

weight plates, dumbbells, and Olympic 


bars in the show’s gym. “We’ve been a part 

of The Biggest Loser for nearly every season 

since its inception,” says Michael Rojas, 

president of Iron Grip Barbell Company. 

In the current season, for the first time, 

15 contestants will be grouped by age for 

a “Battle of the Ages” competition. Age 

groups include one for adults ages 50 and 

over. To learn more about Iron Grip products, 

go to www.irongrip.com. 

Life Fitness adds to spacesaving 

equipment line 

Life Fitness has expanded its line of 

reduced-footprint strength equipment 

with the new Optima series biceps/triceps 

machine and dual adjustable pulley. The 

Optima line offers single and dual-exercise 

machines, as well as benches and racks. 

“There is a market need for equipment 

that maximizes a facility layout with a 

limited footprint, but retains all the product 

functionality and durability of our 

premier strength equipment,” says Dan 

Wille, the company’s vice president of 

product and marketing. “These multiuse 

machines were designed to take up less 

space on the floor without compromising 

performance.” Visit www.lifefitness.com 

for details. 

A COLLAGE healthy aging assessment takes 

place in an aging services organization 

COLLAGE launches tool 

A Web-based assessment tool is now available 

to current members of COLLAGE, 

The Art & Science of Healthy Aging. A 

new ICAA Preferred Vendor, COLLAGE 

is a consortium of aging services organizations 

working to advance healthy aging 

and improve outcomes of older adults living 

independently. Consortium members

can use the evidence-based assessment 

tool to improve outcomes, quality of life 

and successful aging. Beryl Goldman, director 

for Kendal Outreach, a COLLAGE 

developer, says that “… we’re hearing <strong>from</strong> 

our members that this is a real turning 

point for them and their ability to measure 

healthy aging outcomes.” For more information, 

email info@collageaging.org or 

call 610-335-1283. 

MERIT ranks among county’s 

best places to work 

The Orange County Business Journal recently 

named MERIT Property Management 

as one of the California county’s 2011 

Best Companies to Work. MERIT ranked 

13 th in the large business category based 

on an employee survey and an evaluation 

of company benefits, policies and offerings. 

Melinda Masson, MERIT’s founder 

and CEO, says the company is “honored 

to once more be named one of Orange 

County’s best places to work.” She praises 

MERIT’s “talented employees,” who work 

together “to ensure communities throughout 

California remain wonderful places to 

live and call home.” Discover more about 

MERIT at www.meritpm.com. 

The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill 

AlterG to test product’s 

benefits in pilot study 

AlterG will be partnering with members 

of the physical therapy department at 

Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, 

California, in a pilot study to test the 

potential benefits of the company’s Anti- 

Gravity Treadmill for training healthy 

older adults. Some published research has 

shown that the AlterG effectively reduces 

ground reaction forces to the lower extremity, 

which could allow for less pain, 

restoration of normal gait mechanics, and 

the ability to exercise at an easier starting 

level for deconditioned individuals. To 

learn more about AlterG’s Anti-Gravity 

Treadmill and and related research, visit 

www.alter-g.com. 

MotionSoft announces 

investment 

Edison Ventures has completed a US$2- 

million follow-on investment in Motion- 

Soft, a provider of Software-as-a-Service 

(SaaS) and payment solutions to the 

health and wellness industries. The investment 

will enable MotionSoft to increase 

its development, sales and marketing 

efforts. “Edison has shown a consistent 

commitment to Motionsoft,” comments 

Al Noshirvani, the software company’s 

CEO. “With this investment and Edison’s 

continued guidance, MotionSoft looks 

forward to expanding our presence and 

… solutions.” The software company was 

recently ranked as one of America’s 5,000 

fastest-growing private companies in Inc. 

Magazine’s annual 500/5000 Awards. More 

about Motionsoft products is available at 

www.motionsoft.net. 

Performance Health releases 

catalog featuring research and 

evidence-based exercises 

Hygenic/Performance Health recently 

announced its new clinical product catalog, 

which includes product research and 

applications as well as product descriptions. 

“Many practitioners aren’t aware 

how broad our portfolio is …,” states Ethan 

Pochman, director of clinical marketing 

for Performance Health. The new catalog 

includes: 

• the complete line of Thera-Band, 

Biofreeze, Prossage and Parabath 

products 

• research findings that demonstrate 

the products’ efficacy 

• case studies that exemplify their 

success 

• evidence-based exercises that show 

their best uses 

• advice <strong>from</strong> practitioners who rely on 

them 

To learn more about these products or to 

download a free copy of the catalog, go to 

www.performancehealth.com. 

The Korebalance, SportKAT’s flagship product, 

is among company assets soon to be sold 

to Med-Fit 

Med-Fit Systems to purchase 

SportKAT, meld operations 

Med-Fit Systems, Inc., recently announced 

an agreement to purchase substantially all 

the assets of SportKAT, LLC. “Purchasing 

of the SportKAT company provides 

us with a platform to fulfill our mission 

statement—providing products and programming 

to serve the entire wellness continuum,” 

states Dean Sbragia, Med-Fit’s 

CEO. SportKAT and Korebalance balance 

products, he adds, “will augment our commitment 

to provide cutting-edge products 

and programming to the commercial fitness, 

rehabilitation, athletic training and 

senior fitness markets.” Med-Fit plans to 

meld SportKAT operations into its Virginia 

manufacturing facilities. For Med-Fit 

company and product information, check 

out www.medfitsystems.com. 

‘Snowbirds’ learn about 

weighted Wellness Belts 

Wellness Belts recently reached out to 

Canada’s “snowbirds”—older adults 

who spend the winter months in warmer 

places such as Arizona and Florida—to 

educate this audience about its products. 

An advertorial in the summer 2011 issue 

of the Canadian Snowbird Association’s 

magazine, CSA News, describes Wellness 

Belts’ weighted wardrobe accessories. 

The patented design of these belts allows 

individuals to wear 5–14 lbs. of external 

weight as part of their daily clothing, providing 

them with extra weight-bearing 

activity as they go about their daily lives. 

More information appears online at www. 

wellnessbelts.com. 


RESEARCH in the news 

Healthy lifestyle behaviors 

lead to longer life 

Americans can live longer if they practice 

one or more healthy lifestyle behaviors—not 

smoking, eating a healthy diet, 

getting regular physical activity, and 

limiting alcohol—according to a study 

by the US Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC). 

During the study period, people who 

engaged in all 4 healthy behaviors were 

63% less likely to die early than people 

who did not practice any of the behaviors. 

Not smoking provided the most 

protection <strong>from</strong> dying <strong>from</strong> all of the 

causes examined. Further analysis revealed 

that those who engaged in all 4 

healthy behaviors were 66% less likely 

to die early <strong>from</strong> cancer, 65% less likely 

to die early <strong>from</strong> cardiovascular disease, 

and 57% less likely to die early <strong>from</strong> 

other causes compared with people who 

did not engage in any of the healthy 

behaviors. 

The authors note the challenges in encouraging 

a large percentage of the US 

population to adopt a healthy lifestyle. 

Although studies show only a small 

18 

percentage of people have adopted all of 

these healthy lifestyle behaviors, significant 

progress has been made in decreasing 

the rate of people who smoke, they 

write. The study adds to the mounting 

evidence of the substantial gain in life 

associated with healthy behaviors, and 

underscores the need for the clinical 

and public health communities to work 

together to promote greater adoption 

of these behaviors, according to 

CDC. Sources: CDC, August 18, 2011; 

American Journal of Public Health, doi: 

10.2105/AJPH.2011.300167 

Satisfaction with body 

function, appearance differs 

by gender, improves with 

physical activity 

When it comes to satisfaction with body 

function and body appearance, older 

men and women have different opinions, 

although physical activity does improve 

satisfaction in both sexes, according to a 

recent study. 

Renée Umstattd, PhD, assistant professor 

of health education at Baylor University 

in Waco, Texas, and colleagues 

surveyed nearly 1,900 men and women 


with an average age of 69 who were enrolled 

in a physical activity program for 

older adults. The researchers found that 

as men and women age, there is a shift in 

body satisfaction away <strong>from</strong> appearance 

and toward body functionality. When 

comparing concerns across genders, 

satisfaction with body functionality was 

more important for men than women. 

The study also showed that increasing 

body satisfaction in both appearance 

and function reduced symptoms of 

depression in participants. The researchers 

concluded that programs that are 

successful at increasing participation in 

physical activity among older adults not 

only decrease the risk of a multitude of 

chronic diseases, but also increase 

satisfaction with body function and 

appearance. 

“It was interesting that even though 

body appearance satisfaction seems to 

be more important for younger populations, 

especially women, it is still important 

and relevant among older adults,” 

states Umstattd. “In one way this is a 

little disheartening to think that women 

and men are still wrestling with being 

satisfied with the appearance of their 

bodies, even after a life full of various 

points of meaning. From another angle, 

the study provides support to promote 

increased physical activity for older 

adults and provide effective programming 

to increase physical activity rates 

of older adults. Increases in physical 

activity improve satisfaction in both 

body appearance and function.” Sources: 

Baylor University, August 2, 2011; 

Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41(3), 

342–352, 2011 

Decision-making ability 

improves with age 

A study that used a novel model of 

decision-making, which required participants 

to evaluate results of a previous 

decision before making the next one, 

shows that contrary to earlier research, 

older adults are more adept at decisionmaking 

than younger people. According

to the authors, previous studies looked 

at a single decision in isolation, whereas 

their model is more like decision-making 

in the real world. 

“We found that older adults are better at 

evaluating the immediate and delayed 

benefits of each option they choose <strong>from</strong>,” 

says study author Darrell Worthy, of Texas 

A&M University in College Station, Texas. 

“They are better at creating strategies in 

response to the environment.” 

In the first experiment, groups of older 

(ages 60 to early 80s) and younger (college-age) 

adults received points each 

time they chose <strong>from</strong> one of 4 options, 

and tried to maximize the points they 

earned. The younger adults proved more 

efficient at selecting the options that 

yielded more points. In the second experiment, 

the points received depended 

on the choices made previously and an 

understanding of how and why points 

were given. For example, one option 

gave a larger number of points on each 

trial, but resulted in lower future points; 

another option gave smaller points on 

each trial, but increased points for future 

trials. Various permutations of the tests 

were administered, and older adults did 

better on every permutation, the researchers 

note. 

“The younger adults were better when 

only the immediate rewards needed to 

be considered,” observes Worthy. “But 

the second experiment required developing 

a theory about how rewards in the 

environment were structured. The more 

experience you have in this, the better 

you are at it.” 

The authors conjecture that these results 

are related to the ways we use our brains 

as we age. Younger people’s choice-mak- 

ing relies on the ventral striatum, which 

is related to habitual, reflexive learning 

and immediate rewards: impulsivity. 

But as this portion of the brain declines, 

older adults compensate by using their 

prefrontal cortices, where more rational, 

deliberative thinking is controlled. 

“More broadly, our findings suggest 

that older adults have learned a number 

of heuristics”—reasoning methods— 

“<strong>from</strong> their vast decision-making experience,” 

concludes Worthy. In other 

words, they have wisdom. Sources: 

Association for Psychological Science, 

August 23, 2011; Psychological Science, 

doi:10.1177/0956797611420301 

Older adults increase use of 

social networking sites 

Fully 65% of adult Internet users now say 

they use a social networking site such 



RESEARCH in the news <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 19 

as Facebook or LinkedIn, up <strong>from</strong> 61% 

one year ago. This figure comes <strong>from</strong> 

a national survey by the Pew Internet 

and American Life Project, one of seven 

projects by the nonprofit Pew Research 

Center in Washington, DC. It also marks 

a dramatic increase <strong>from</strong> the first time 

the Pew project surveyed about social 

networking sites in February 2005. At 

that time, just 8% of Internet users or 5% 

of all adults said they used them. 

Among online older adults, 51% of 

50–64 year olds and 33% of those ages 

65 and older were using social networking 

sites as of May 2011—a 60% and 

26% increase <strong>from</strong> last year, respectively. 

Out of all the “daily” online activities 

asked about in the survey, only email 

(which 61% of Internet users access on a 

typical day) and search engines (which 

59% use on a typical day) are used more 

frequently than social networking tools. 

“The graying of social networking sites 

continues, but the oldest users are still 

far less likely to be making regular use of 

these tools,” says Mary Madden, a senior 

research specialist with the Pew Internet 

and American Life Project and coauthor 

of the research report. “While [older 

adults] are testing the waters, many Baby 

Boomers are beginning to make a trip to 

Emergency department 

visits for suicide attempts 

rise in women over 50 

From 2005 to 2009 (the most recent 

year with available figures), there was 

a 49% increase in emergency department 

visits for drug-related suicide attempts 

by women ages 50 and older— 

<strong>from</strong> 11,235 visits in 2005 to 16,757 

in 2009, according to a new national 

study by the US Substance Abuse and 

Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA). The full report is 

available online at www.oas.samhsa. 

gov/2k11/DAWN011/DrugRelated 

Suicide_HTML.pdf. Source: SAM- 

HSA, May 28, 2011 

20 

the social media pool part of their daily 

routine.” Adds coauthor and research 

specialist Kathryn Zickuhr, “Even as 

some users find their experiences with 

social networking sites frustrating or 

overwhelming, most seem to view the 

services positively on the whole.” The 

report is available online at http:// 

pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/ 

Reports/2011/PIP-SNS-Update-2011. 

pdf. Source: Pew Internet and American 

Life Project, August 26, 2011 

Volunteering for altruistic 

reasons could lead to 

better health 

People who volunteer may live longer 

than those who don’t—as long as their 

reasons for volunteering are to help others 

rather than themselves. That is the 

finding of a recent study by researchers 

<strong>from</strong> the University of Michigan in Ann 

Arbor. According to the authors, this is 

the first time that research has shown 

that volunteers’ motives can have a significant 

impact on life span. 

For the study, the authors examined data 

<strong>from</strong> the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, 

which has followed a random sample of 

10,317 Wisconsin high school students 

<strong>from</strong> their graduation in 1957 to the 

present. The sample is 51.6 % female, 

with an average age of 69.16 years in 

2008. In 2004, respondents noted whether 

they had volunteered within the past 

10 years and how regularly. They also 

reported their reasons for volunteering 

(or the reasons they would volunteer, for 

those who had not done so) by answering 

10 questions. Some motives were 

more oriented toward others (e.g., “I 

feel it is important to help others,” or 

“Volunteering is an important activity to 

the people I know best”) and some were 

more self-oriented (e.g., “Volunteering 

is a good escape <strong>from</strong> my own troubles,” 

or “Volunteering makes me feel better 

about myself ”). 

Volunteers lived longer than people who 

didn’t volunteer if they reported altruis- 


tic values or a desire for social connections 

as the main reasons for wanting to 

serve, the study found. Further, people 

who said they volunteered for their own 

personal satisfaction had the same mortality 

rate 4 years later as those who did 

not volunteer. 

“This could mean that people who volunteer 

with other people as their main 

motivation may be buffered <strong>from</strong> potential 

stressors associated with volunteering, 

such as time constraints and lack of 

pay,” comments the study’s lead author, 

Sara Konrath, PhD. 

Overall, 4.3% of 2,<strong>38</strong>4 non-volunteers 

were deceased 4 years later, which was 

similar to the proportion of deceased 

volunteers who reported more selforiented 

motives for volunteering (4%). 

However, only 1.6% of those volunteers 

whose motivations were more focused 

on others were deceased 4 years later. 

This effect remained significant even 

when controlling for all the variables. 

“It is reasonable for people to volunteer 

in part because of benefits to the self; 

however, our research implies that, 

ironically, should these benefits to the 

self become the main motive for volunteering, 

they may not see those benefits,” 

says coauthor Andrea Fuhrel-Forbis. 

Sources: American Psychological 

Association, August 17, 2011; Health 

Psychology, doi: 10.1037/a0025226 

Sexual satisfaction tied to 

overall ‘successful aging’ in 

older women 

A recent study by researchers at the 

Stein Institute for Research on Aging at 

the University of California, San Diego, 

finds that successful aging and positive 

quality-of-life indicators correlate 

with sexual satisfaction in women ages 

60–89 years. The report also shows that 

self-rated successful aging, quality of 

life and sexual satisfaction appear to 

be stable even in the face of declines in 

physical health.

The study looked at 1,235 women enrolled 

at the San Diego site of the Women’s 

Health Initiative (WHI) study, a 

major ongoing research program funded 

by the US National Institutes of Health. 

Since 1993, WHI has addressed causes 

of death, disability and quality of life 

in more than 160,000 generally healthy, 

postmenopausal women. 

According to the Stein Institute study, 

sexual activity and functioning (such 

things as desire, arousal and ability to 

climax) were negatively associated with 

age, as were physical and mental health. 

However, satisfaction with overall sex 

life was not significantly different between 

the three age cohorts studied: 

ages 60–69, 70–79, and 80–89. Approximately 

67%, 60% and 61% of women in 

these 3 age groups, respectively, reported 

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that they were “moderately” to “very satisfied” 

with their sex lives. 

Sexual activity was significantly lower 

in older age cohorts. Of the women who 

were married or in an intimate relationship, 

70% of those ages 60–69, 57% of 

those ages 70–79, and 31% of those ages 

80–89 reported having had some sexual 

activity in the previous 6 months. While 

women who were married or living in an 

intimate relationship engaged in higher 

rates of sexual activity than those who 

were not in such a relationship, sexual 

activity still decreased across age 

cohorts. 

“What this study tells us is that many 

older adults retain their ability to enjoy 

sex well into old age,” observes study 

coauthor Wesley K. Thompson, PhD, 

*Retirement and Residential Communities response to the ICAA Active-Ageing Industry Development Survey 2010 

an assistant professor of psychiatry. 

“This is especially true of older adults 

who maintain a higher level of physical 

and mental health as they grow older. 

Furthermore, feeling satisfied with your 

sex life—whatever your levels of sexual 

activity—is closely related to your perceived 

quality of life.” Sources: University 

of California, San Diego, August 24, 

2011; Journal of the American Geriatrics 

Society, 59(8), 1503–1508, 2011 

ICAA Research Review. Stay up to date 

with current research by reading ICAA 

Research Review, the online newsletter of 

breaking news in health, wellness and demographics. 

Published 45 times each year, 

ICAA Research Review is emailed to <strong>International</strong> 

<strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® members. 

For more information, visit www.icaa. 

cc or call ICAA toll-free at 866-335-9777. 

MERRITHEW HEALTH & FITNESS 

3699 ICAA half.indd 1 11-09-27 5:15 PM 

The Journal on Active Aging September/October 2011 www.icaa.cc 21 

3699 /® Trademark or registered trademark of Merrithew Corporation, used under license. All rights reserved.

ICAA @ 10 

ICAA turns 10: a ‘high five’ to the ICAA community 

Congratulations to the 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on 

Active Aging ® community on 

a decade of inspiring older 

adults to lead healthy, active 

and engaged lives 

On October 1, 2001, fitness industry 

veteran Colin Milner launched a professional 

association with the bold vision 

of Changing the way we age®. Ten years 

later, the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active 

Aging® (ICAA) leads, connects and 

defines a thriving industry dedicated to 

improving health, well-being and quality 

of life for adults over 50. 

Since ICAA’s founding in 2001, the association 

has brought together a network 

that today includes more than 9,200 

organizations representing over 40,000 

locations worldwide. Association members 

are people working in seniors housing 

and retirement communities, recreation, 

academia, government agencies, 

and fitness and rehabilitation centers, 

among other settings. These professionals 

develop wellness facilities, programs 

and services for older adults. And their 

efforts have an impact on the daily lives 

of clients. 

ICAA, as a collective, is both progressive 

and passionate about how people 

age. “The term active aging embodies 

the concept that, throughout the aging 

process, each individual has the right to 

a quality of life that includes health, security 

and participation in society,” says 

Milner. “It is the driving force behind 

our community’s efforts.” 

Embracing wellness 

Within the active-aging framework, the 

dimensions of wellness offer older adults 

a way to live more fully and professionals 

a way to organize programs and 

facilities that provide older adults with 

22 

opportunities to lead active, engaged 

lives. Wellness, as defined by ICAA, encompasses 

seven dimensions—namely, 

physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, 

emotional, vocational and environmental 

wellness. ICAA community members 

across the spectrum have embraced the 

wellness philosophy and all it offers. 

Some professionals are laying the foundation 

for a formal wellness program by 

introducing wellness activities to their 

organizations and clients. Some are busily 

expanding the scope of their wellness 

programs and facilities. And some are 

striving to integrate the wellness philosophy 

into all aspects of their operations 

to create a wellness culture. Over the last 

decade, they have all helped advance the 

active-aging movement. 

A key message underlies the work of 

ICAA and the ICAA community: People 

can live as fully as possible throughout 

the life span, regardless of age or 

health conditions. Real-life examples of 

older adults living well demonstrate the 

positive impact of wellness opportunities 

and environments. They also show 

that “people don’t have to look a certain 

way, participate in extreme sports, or be 

free of functional challenges to be resilient 

and engaged in life,” adds Milner. 

Spreading the message 

If colleagues and peers were often the 

focus of efforts by ICAA and the ICAA 

community in the first five years, community 

members can point to the 2010 

ICAA Active-Aging Industry Development 

Survey to show the results of their 

work. Survey findings show exponential 

growth in older-adult organizations 

embracing wellness. Fully 69% of the 

496 respondents to last year’s survey 

said they now had wellness centers or 

structured wellness programs; of these 

individuals, 40% said their centers or 


programs were developed within the last 

five years. 

Over the last decade, the external voice 

of ICAA has also grown strong. By providing 

practical approaches that help 

older adults age well, community members 

show that active aging is indeed 

a key to managing challenges and opportunities 

associated with population 

aging. These successes, together with 

ICAA’s advocacy, have caught the attention 

of organizations and governments 

at all levels. The result is that ICAA is 

increasingly invited to participate in 

meetings that are shaping the policies, 

attitudes and ideas that will lay the foundation 

for Changing the way we age® on 

a societal level. 

In 2001, ICAA set out on a mission to 

connect professionals who share the 

goal of changing society’s perceptions 

of aging and improving quality of life 

for adults over 50. By focusing on what 

older adults can do and supporting individuals 

in staying active, healthy and 

engaged, ICAA community members 

are challenging perceptions of later life 

as a time characterized by decline and 

diminished value. ICAA’s Changing 

the Way We Age Campaign®, a groundbreaking 

initiative launched in 2011, 

provides a new vehicle for ICAA community 

outreach. This campaign—an 

expansion of ICAA’s mission—targets 

societal views, aiming to overturn ageist 

stereotypes and foster positive perceptions 

of aging. 

As ICAA and the ICAA community 

celebrate 10 years of promoting active 

aging, let’s look forward to a future that 

promises even greater change. 

Watch for an ICAA retrospective in the 

January/February 2012 issue of the 

Journal on Active Aging®.

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The Journal on Active Aging July/August 2011 www.icaa.cc 23

Industry development 

ICAA Champions 

program: 

a quick-start guide for you 

and your organization 

24 

‘Now is the time to show the 

myriad ways older adults are 

leading active, productive 

lives.’ – Colin Milner, CEO, 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on 

Active Aging 

by Marilynn Larkin, MA 

The <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® 

(ICAA) took advantage of Active 

Aging Week—the annual event initiated 

by ICAA and observed throughout 

North America during the last week 

of September—to officially launch the 

ICAA Champions program. A key component 

of ICAA’s Changing the Way We 

Age® Campaign (www.changingtheway 

weage.com), the Champions program 

enlists organizations and individuals to 

serve as role models and educators in the 

effort to shift society’s perceptions of 

aging. A diverse team of volunteers will 

help the program show the full spectrum 

of active aging. 


Through activities such as speaking 

at community events, hosting school 

groups or visiting schools, working with 

local media to generate coverage of the 

campaign, and posting stories on the 

campaign website and on Facebook, 

ICAA Champions convey the message 

that “older adults—regardless of age or 

circumstances—can be active, engaged 

members of and valued contributors to 

society,” says Colin Milner, ICAA’s CEO. 

“When media cover Champion activities 

and events, they present more positive, 

realistic views of aging that, in turn, 

can reduce fears that drive much of the 

so-called ‘anti-aging’ industry.” 

Fitness and wellness expert Kathy Smith, 

an ICAA Master Champion and national 

spokesperson for ICAA’s Changing the 

Way We Age® Campaign, was featured 

in kickoff events in Rancho Santa Margarita, 

California, and Carmel, Indiana. 


ICAA Champions program: a quick-start guide for you 

and your organization <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 24 

Smith, who turns 60 this year, affirms 

that she is “proud to serve as a Master 

Champion and represent a campaign 

that is rapidly gaining a groundswell of 

support <strong>from</strong> around the country.” 

That support is coming in part <strong>from</strong> 

campaign partner Atria Senior Living, 

which had enrolled more than 150 ICAA 

Champions before the official launch of 

the program. During Active Aging Week 

events at Atria Senior Living in Darien, 

Connecticut, ICAA Master Champion 

David Dworkin, founder of Conductorcise®, 

a Sound Workout for Mind, Body 

and Soul, ran workshops that inspired 

even more Atria community members to 

join the program. 

Khristine Rogers, vice president of active 

aging at Atria Senior Living and 

a member of ICAA’s Advisory Board, 

pointed out in a pre-launch interview 

that the Champions program is a great 

way to help change perceptions of aging. 

“This program provides a way to send 

accurate and inspiring messages out to 

the public about what life in a senior 

26 

living community can be, which is often 

still perceived negatively based on the 

stereotypes of long-term care,” said Rogers. 

“Part of what we try to help people 

understand is that Atria is committed to 

providing an active, healthy, engaging 

and individualized lifestyle for everyone 

who lives in our communities. Therefore, 

for us, part of the campaign and 

the Champions program involves showing 

that we can change the lifestyles and 

environments that older adults have access 

to.” 

“The bottom line, now that the ICAA 

Champions program is underway, is to 

build momentum,” comments Milner. 

“We have to help everyone get over the 

erroneous idea that older adults are 

‘broken versions’ of younger adults, 

as eldercare authority Dr. Bill Thomas 

has recently observed. 1 With commitment 

and support <strong>from</strong> ICAA member 

organizations and their customers and 

clients, we can make a solid push toward 

changing society’s perceptions of aging, 

overturning stereotypes and promoting 

more realistic views of what it means to 

be an older adult today. As with any major 

initiative, the more voices behind it, 

the greater the visibility and the greater 

the impact.” (Find out about additional 

ways to support ICAA’s campaign in the 

sidebar on <strong>page</strong> 32.) 

The Journal on Active Aging® has developed 

this quick-start guide to make it as 

easy and fast as possible for readers to 

join the ICAA Champions program and 

take advantage of the freely downloadable 

tools and resources that ICAA is 

providing. The tools are organized in a 

linear way, so you can see which ones 

might be used in various phases of an 

organization’s or individual’s ICAA 

Champion activities. You can also 

choose to use these tools when and how 

they would be most beneficial to your 

efforts. To get the most out of this guide, 

you may want to have ICAA’s Changing 

the Way We Age® Campaign website up 

in front of you. 


1. Log on to the campaign 

website 

First step: go to www.changingtheway 

weage.com and click on “Become an 

ICAA Champion” using the drop-down 

menu or the left-hand navigation bar. 

Complete the brief online form. At the 

bottom of the <strong>page</strong>, you will see a tick 

box with a link to the ICAA Champions 

code of conduct and expectations of 

ICAA Champions (Document A, if you 

selected “individual” Champion, Document 

B for “organizational”). Click on 

the link to review the text. This information 

will ensure you understand your 

commitment and guide you in representing 

the campaign in a manner consistent 

with ICAA’s mission and goals. It is 

especially important for organizations 

that will be selecting individual Champions 

<strong>from</strong> among their constituencies. 

After you’ve read the document, tick the 

acknowledgement box, then click “Submit” 

and you are on your way! [Ed. Visit 

the “What makes an ICAA Champion?” 

section if you want to preview the code 

of conduct and expectations before filling 

out the online form.] 

Once approved, you will receive an 

email with instructions on how to access 

and complete your own ICAA Champion 

profile web<strong>page</strong>, which will sit in 

the “Champions in action” section of 

the campaign site. This <strong>page</strong> will already 

contain the information you provided in 

your nomination form, and have space 

for additional information. You may 

edit as you see fit—for example, you may 

want your contact information to contain 

only an email address, rather than 

email and phone number. You will 

also use this <strong>page</strong> to promote and 

report on your Champion events and 

activities. 

Note that individual Champions, whether 

they apply on their own or as part 

of an organization, have the option to 

earn their Presidential Lifestyle Award 


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(PALA) and encourage others to do so. 

ICAA has created a special <strong>page</strong> within 

PALA that facilitates Champion enrollment 

in the program. ICAA Champions 

may also choose to support First Lady 

Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, 

which provides opportunities for 

intergenerational events that build relationships 

between younger and older 

people. 

Select the appropriate portal to continue 

(“For individuals” or “For organizations”), 

then click on “Champion support 

tools” on the left navigation bar. 

Support tools for organizations and 

individuals are similar, but tailored appropriately. 

For example, in the “Understanding 

your commitment” section of 

the organizational Champions section, 

you will find a tool that addresses how to 

choose your organization’s Champions; 

this tool does not appear in the support 

tools for individuals. 

The “Understanding your commitment” 

section for both organizations and individuals 

provides the following four 

“Champion training tools”: 

• talking points, which are key points 

to make during a Champion presentation 

that can also serve as discussion 

points with participants 

• a PowerPoint presentation that organizations 

can use to train their 

Champions, and individuals can use 

to ensure they understand their role 

in the campaign and the rationale for 

their presentations and activities 

• review questions for discussion 

among organizational Champions, 

and to help individual Champions 

solidify their role and commitment 

• practice tips to help all Champions 

hone their presentations 

Of course, Champions can adjust information 

for their particular audiences, 

but it’s important to maintain an overall 

consistency in the message with the 

larger campaign. 

28 

2. Create your plan 

The next step is to develop a plan of action. 

For organizations, this often means 

building momentum within your own 

organization (through discussions and 

awareness-building) and deciding how 

you will deploy your Champions to get 

the most out of your—and their—commitment. 

For individuals, this often 

means deciding which groups to approach 

regarding an ICAA Champion 

presentation. Individual Champions are 

not required to go out into the community, 

although many will; the campaign 

also welcomes blogs, stories, videos and 

similar contributions <strong>from</strong> individual 

Champions, as long as those contributions 

are consistent with the campaign’s 

goals and spirit. 

For those who do want to make presentations 

in the community, ICAA has developed 

tools to help you decide where 

to start. These include a document on 

how to make connections with local organizations 

and businesses, and template 

letters of introduction and agreement 

that you can personalize for your specific 

situation. The toolkit also contains 

a “planning checklist” to help ensure 

you have all the information you need to 

make your presentation run as smoothly 

as possible. 

3. Review your consumer and 

business educational tools 

The easiest way to begin making presentations 

in the community is to use the 

tools ICAA has provided for you. These 

tools can be used just as they are for a 

wide range of audiences, though you 

may customize them if you prefer. 

One of the most important tools is the 

PowerPoint presentation for consumers 

called “Changing the Way We Age 

across the wellness dimensions.” This 

slide show touches on all the key points 

of the campaign and also includes questions 

for discussion. The slides also 

contain notes to help you craft your presentation. 

Right below that PowerPoint 


presentation is a PDF document with 

<strong>page</strong>s for each slide and its notes, in case 

you would like to distribute it to your 

audience or use it as the basis for a talk 

without running the slide show. 

For Champions who are interested in 

helping to change the messages promulgated 

by businesses and the media, 

ICAA has produced a separate Power- 

Point presentation, “Marketing and the 

older adult.” This slide show documents 

how and why marketers and media are 

not effectively reaching older adults, and 

suggests what they need to do to change. 

That presentation also has a script, posted 

below it, in PDF format. 

Over time, this section will also contain 

health-information handouts for the 

general public and relevant facts and 

statistics to help motivate older adults to 

live active, healthy lives—regardless of 

age or conditions. 

4. Start changing the 

conversation in your 

organization 

Now that you’ve created a plan, made 

connections, and reviewed the educational 

tools provided on the campaign 

website, it’s time to take action. For 

organizational Champions, that often 

means starting the conversation within 

your own organization. For individuals, 

this may mean initiating discussions at 

your place of business or in community 

organizations such as seniors centers. 

Experience has shown that older-adult 

communities, health clubs, associations 

and service organizations are not immune 

to stereotyping. 

Several of the tools in the “Understanding 

your commitment” section can also 

be used to start relevant conversations. 

For example, the “Talking points” document 

provides specific examples of ways 

you can help build awareness of ageist 

stereotypes and show how self-stereo- 


The most important feature? 

Simpl



typing can stand in the way of self-fulfillment. 

Examples of self-stereotyping 

include thoughts such as the following: 

• I’m too old to do X activity. 

• “They” don’t want seniors here. 

• I can’t learn anything new at this stage 

of life. 

• I can’t express my anger because 

they’ll think I’m just a crotchety older 

person. 

• I won’t try to get that job; they’ll 

never hire me because I’m too old. 

• I guess I should start taking medications; 

everyone else my age does. 

• Why should I exercise? It’s downhill 

<strong>from</strong> here anyway. 

30 

As an ICAA Champion, you can help 

counter those negative self-perceptions. 

Maybe you’ve overcome some of them 

yourself. Maybe you’ve recently become 

more aware of stereotypes on television, 

in the movies or in advertising. By sharing 

your experiences and encouraging 

others to share theirs, you can come up 

with positive messages together to counter 

the negative ones. For example: 

• It can’t hurt to try X activity and see 

what happens. 

• I’m entitled to go where I want. 

• I want to tap into my potential and 

learn X. Lots of other people like me 

are doing the same thing. 

• I’m entitled to express my feelings. 

• I have a lot to offer. May as well give 

it a shot and see if they appreciate my 

experience. 


• I don’t have to bow to peer pressure. 

• This is a new chapter of my life. Let’s 

see what I can do next. 

Another tool that can help foster conversations, 

“ICAA’s Guidelines for effective 

communication with older adults,” is 

located in the “Publicizing your involvement” 

section of the website. The first 

in a series of communication guidelines, 

this document sits in the section aimed 

at promoting media awareness, along 

with a cover letter that explains how 

the guidelines relate to the whole campaign, 

as a key goal of the campaign is to 

change portrayals of older adults in the 

media. These guidelines can also be used 

to promote discussion and build aware- 


Spread 

the Word. 

Wear 

a Pin. 

To order pins online, visit: 

www.changingthewayweage.com/campaign-pins.htm 

Or call ICAA at 866-335-9777 

(toll-free) or 604-734-4466. 

The ICAA Champions program is one way 

for organizations and individuals to support 

ICAA’s Changing the Way We Age ® Campaign. 

Now you can demonstrate that support with a 

campaign pin. Buy a single pin to wear, or as 

many as you like to give away, sell or exchange 

for donations to fund Champion activities. 

If you believe that now is the time to change 

the way we age, help spread the word as an 

ICAA Supporting Champion. 

1–99 pins: $5.00 each, plus shipping 

100–249 pins: $4.00 each, plus shipping 

250–999 pins:$3.50 each, plus shipping 

1,000 pins and over: $3.00 each, plus shipping



ness among staff and members of activeaging 

communities, health clubs, seniors 

centers, and other settings frequented by 

older adults. 

5. Start changing the conversation 

among younger 

people 

The official launch of the ICAA Champions 

program coincided not only with 

Active Aging Week, but also with the 

start of the school year. This is important 

because one of the aims of the campaign 

is to change young people’s perceptions 

of aging. ICAA has created a PowerPoint 

presentation that Champions can use to 

start the conversation during a school 

How to support the 

campaign 

The ICAA Champions program is 

just one outlet for organizations 

and individuals to support ICAA’s 

Changing the Way We Age® Campaign. 

A pin is now available to 

heighten campaign visibility and help 

people show their support. You may 

purchase a single pin to wear, or buy 

as many pins as you like to give away, 

sell, or exchange for donations to 

fund Champion activities. For those 

who believe in ICAA’s campaign but 

have chosen not to get more actively 

involved, spreading the word 

through campaign pins is a way to 

be a Supporting Champion. 

Organizations can also become an 

ICAA’s Changing the Way We Age® 

Campaign program partner. Three 

levels of participation are available to 

those committed to playing a more 

prominent role in these efforts. For 

further information about partnership 

opportunities and campaign 

pins, visit www.changingtheway 

weage.com or call ICAA at 866-335- 

9777 (toll-free) or 604-734-4466. 

32 

visit or a presentation in an after-school 

activity group, for example. 

Champions can also start discussions 

with younger people by asking how their 

family members or older friends talk 

about aging, or by pointing out something 

that you or someone else have 

accomplished that goes against ageist 

stereotypes. Providing examples of ageist 

humor in greeting cards can also be 

an effective conversation starter. 

The “Talking points” posted in the “Understanding 

your commitment” section 

highlights some of the key messages 

to communicate to younger (as well as 

older) audiences: 

• We are all aging/getting older <strong>from</strong> 

the moment we’re born. 

• There is no magic age at which someone 

suddenly becomes “older” versus 

“younger”—it’s all relative. 

• Aging is not synonymous with disease; 

it’s not something to be “cured.” 

• Aging is a fact of life, not something 

to be scorned, ridiculed or “fought.” 

• “Anti-aging” is a misnomer. No one 

can go against aging; no product 

or service can make someone grow 

younger rather than older. The term 

anti-aging implies something is wrong 

with aging when, in fact, it is a natural 

process that every living thing on 

Earth goes through. 

• Older people have a rich store of 

experience to draw upon. This experience 

is a valuable asset that actually 

grows even richer with use—in business, 

with friends and family, in volunteer 

endeavors, and in hobbies. 

6. Start changing the 

conversation in the media 

A major focus of ICAA’s Changing the 

Way We Age® Campaign is to “rebrand 

aging”—that is, show media and marketers 

that their current portrayals of 

older people and strategies to reach older 

people simply do not work. A majority 

of people over age 50 are turned off 


by marketing messages aimed at them, 

and are tired of seeing stereotypical 

older adults in advertisements, in movies 

and on television. 2,3 

ICAA has provided two sets of tools 

related to the media. The first set is 

designed to help raise awareness of the 

campaign and the Champions program 

within your local media. These include 

a template press release to introduce 

the Champions program; a cover letter 

to introduce the ICAA communication 

guidelines; and a cover letter and press 

release to introduce the term graywashing. 

Coined by ICAA’s Milner, this term 

refers to the positioning of a product or 

service as useful to older adults when it’s 

really not. 1 Examples include the kinds 

of magic-bullet products advertised by 

the anti-aging industry (e.g., “Lose your 

wrinkles overnight”) or a company that 

says it’s “age-friendly” because it offers a 

discount to older adults—but continues 

to implement ageist policies. 

These tools can be used to start the conversation 

about stereotypes with local 

reporters and editors. Champions who 

are experts in media and marketing to 

older adults may position themselves 

as potential guests or guest columnists 

to discuss the campaign and the need 

to change perceptions of aging. Those 

who are not experts may want to share 

personal examples of how insensitive 

communications or graywashing have 

touched them. 

7. Publicize your involvement 

The second set of media tools were 

developed specifically to help organizational 

and individual Champions work 

with the media to publicize their campaign 

activities. These tools include customizable 

templates for a press release, 

calendar announcement, social media 

announcement and a model release for 

your publicity photos. 

The “Marketing tools” section also 

contains elements that can be used to

promote organizational or individual 

Champion activities: 

• Champion logos for your website 

• “Rethink aging” posters with messages 

aimed at overturning ageist stereotypes 

to post in and around your 

facility or community 

• a Champions fact sheet for distribution 

at or prior to your event 

• a poster/handout that can be used to 

recruit more Champions 

Check the “Working with media/Publicity 

timeline” document posted in the 

“Media tools I: Introducing Champions” 

section to get an idea of how to time 

your publicity efforts. 

The “Campaign tools” section offers 

ways to publicize Champion events and 

activities in the context of the larger 

campaign. You can include details and 

links related to your event in a comment 

on the campaign’s Facebook <strong>page</strong> as 

well as on your own Champion profile 

web<strong>page</strong>. The goal is to not only help 

promote what you’re doing, but also let 

other Champions see what you’re doing 

so everyone can learn <strong>from</strong> each other. 

ICAA provides additional visibility to 

Champions with the “Champions in 

action” tool, a searchable database that 

allows people to find individual or organizational 

Champions in particular 

locations. In addition, Champions have 

one-click access to the PALA and “Let’s 

Move” campaigns (as described on <strong>page</strong>s 

26 and 28). 

8. Assess your impact 

Because any new campaign is a work in 

progress, it’s important to learn what 

works, what doesn’t work and how you 

as an individual or part of an organization 

can help the campaign have the 

greatest possible impact. To that end, 

ICAA has provided customizable assessment 

forms for distribution to your audiences. 

You, as a Champion, can fill out 

an assessment form and then see how 

your impressions jibe with those of your 

audience. When presentations go well, 

ask key audience members to send you 

a couple of sentences that can be used 

as testimonials to help promote future 

Champion events and activities. 

It’s also important to post your success 

stories and related content such as photos 

and video clips on your dedicated 

web<strong>page</strong> so that others can learn <strong>from</strong> 

your efforts. “Remember, lessons learned 

are also successes,” says ICAA’s Milner. 

“At the end of the day, it’s about everyone 

working together with a common 

mission and passion to make a difference 

in the lives of older adults, now and 

in the future. We invite you to participate. 

Join ICAA’s Changing the Way We 

Age® Campaign and help create a society 

that recognizes, respects and responds 

to the needs, desires and potential of our 

older population.” 

Marilynn Larkin, MA, is an awardwinning 

medical writer and editor, as well 

as an ACE-certified personal trainer and 

group fitness instructor. She is also ICAA’s 

Communications Director and a regular 

contributor to the Journal on Active 

Aging®. 

References 

1. Larkin, M. (2011). Tackling graywashing: what 

drives it, how to recognize and avoid it. Journal 

on Active Aging, 10(4), 24–33, July/August. 

2. AgeWave and TV Land. TV Land’s New 

Generation Gap Study, 2006. Retrieved <strong>from</strong> 

http://www.agewave.com/research/landmark_ 

tvlandGap.php. 

3. Thompson, N. J. (2007). Age Myopia in Marketing: 

Marketers Must Adapt to the Demographics 

Reality. University of Hertfordshire 

Business School Working Paper. Retrieved 

<strong>from</strong> https://uhra.herts.ac.uk/dspace/ 

bitstream/2299/4591/1/S119.pdf. 

Anniversary 

Changing the Way We Age ® 


comes of age 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> 

on Active Aging 

Conference 2011 

December 1–3, 2011 

Orange County Convention Center 

Orlando, Florida 

Expand your knowledge, 

enhance your skills and encounter 

new ideas at the 

ICAA Conference 2011. 

For information, call ICAA toll-free at 

866.335.9777 or 604.734.4466. 

To download a conference brochure or 

to register online, visit 

www.icaa.cc/convention.htm 


Anniversary ad-2.indd 1 11-10-06 10:48 AM

ICAA @ 10 

ICAA’s top 10 

articles on marketing 

34 

Looking for marketing advice 

or inspiration? Check out 

these 10 articles on the topic 

published previously in the 

Journal on Active Aging ® 

To celebrate the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> 

on Active Aging’s 10 th Anniversary, the 

Journal on Active Aging® (JAA) is highlighting 

some articles that have graced 

the <strong>page</strong>s of ICAA publications in the 

last decade. Over the next year, each 

issue of the Journal will feature a “top 

10” list of articles compiled by ICAA 

editors <strong>from</strong> the association’s extensive 

online archives. Every list will focus on 

a specific topic—and, for this issue, it’s 

marketing. 

The Journal, ICAA’s flagship publication, 

has provided a wide range of articles since 

its 2002 launch, all intended to support 


those who develop wellness programs, 

facilities and services for age 50-plus 

adults. The association has added other 

publications in the intervening years to 

help inform, educate and inspire readers. 

These resources include, among others, 

Functional U®, a bimonthly electronic 

publication aimed at practitioners; ICAA 

Developer’s Guide, an annual print publication 

geared to owners and developers; 

and ICAA Green Guide, an annual electronic 

publication focused on environmental 

wellness and stewardship. ICAA 

members can access articles <strong>from</strong> all of 

these publications 24/7 on the ICAA 

website (www.icaa.cc), including those 

listed below. Refer to the accompanying 

box on <strong>page</strong> 36 for information on how to 

access the online archives. 


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ICAA’s top 10 articles on marketing 

<strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 34 

1. “Tackling graywashing: what drives it, 

how to recognize and avoid it” 

Author: Marilynn Larkin 

JAA, July/August 2011 

(Archives category: Marketing) 

Graywashing is the act of misleading 

consumers about any purported age-associated 

benefits of a product or service. 

2. “Brand matters in an aging 

marketplace” 

Author: G. Richard Ambrosius 

JAA, May/June 2010 


An ageless approach to branding will 

help companies thrive in an older 

marketplace. 

3. “Picture-perfect marketing” 

Author: Todd Harff 

JAA, November/December 2009 


The right photography makes marketing 

more effective. This article explores the 

power of pictures. 

4. “Making your marketing relevant” 

Author: Colin Milner 

JAA, March/April 2008 


Relevant marketing messages reflect the 

needs, aspirations and lifestyles of older 

adults. 

5. “Creating age-friendly websites” 

Author: Brigid McHugh Sanner 

JAA, July/August 2004 


36 

Marketing: ICAA’s top 10 

(in chronological order, most to least recent) 

A communications expert shares 10 rules 

for effective websites for older adults. 

6. “Direct marketing to older adults” 

Author: George Duncan 

JAA, March/April 2004 


This article delves into how to create a 

compelling direct mail package for older 

prospects. 

7. “Back-to-basics media” 

Author: Brigid McHugh Sanner 

JAA, January/February 2004 


Back-to-basics media tools can be the 

mainstays of a marketing and communications 

campaign if used effectively. 

8. “Six steps to age-friendly advertising” 


JAA, May/June 2003 


Advertising that resonates speaks to the 

older-adult market, rather than at it. 

9. “Motivating the 50-plus adult” 

Author: ICAA (based on AARP research) 


(Archives category: Market research) 

AARP market research reveals the complexities 

of communicating about physical 

activity issues with older audiences. 

10. “Know thy market” 




In an interview, ageless marketing guru 

David Wolfe discusses behavioral based 

marketing. 


How to access ICAA 

articles online 

If you are an <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> 

on Active Aging® member, you can 

access content <strong>from</strong> ICAA publications 

through the archives available 

in the members only section 

of the association website. You can 

download (or view) entire issues of 

publications and newsletters in this 

section, or choose individual articles 

<strong>from</strong> the categorized library known 

as the “Articles archives.” Here’s how: 

• Log in to the members only section 

of the ICAA website, www. 

icaa.cc, using your member number 

and password. 

• Click on the “Article archives” 

portal. 

• Review the list of categories that 

appears on the “Articles archives” 

web<strong>page</strong> that comes up, then select 

a category to view and download 

individual articles on that 

topic. 

• Go to the left-hand menu to 

choose entire publications or 

newsletters to review, and select 

the specific resource to see issues 

available. 

A helpful preview of article categories 

and descriptions is available by 

clicking on the “Article archives” link 

on the ICAA home <strong>page</strong> or by going 

directly to www.icaa.cc/preview_ 

membersection/articlearchivesmaster.htm. 

If you have questions or 

need help obtaining your member 

number and password, call ICAA 

toll-free at 866-335-9777.

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+

Gerontology 

Lessons for living: 

The Legacy Project 

collects and disseminates 

elder wisdom 

<strong>38</strong> 

Collected and preserved by 

this research project, life lessons 

offered by older adults 

challenge society’s ageism by 

showing that, far <strong>from</strong> being 

obsolete, today’s elders 

are invaluable resources for 

younger generations 

by Karl Pillemer, PhD 

As a professor of Human Development 

at Cornell University, I have spent the 

past 25 years studying how people develop, 

grow and change over the course 

of their adult lives. Seven years ago, 

this research interest led me to what I 

felt was a riveting idea: Why not invite 

older people to describe the lessons they 


have learned about living and make this 

knowledge accessible to people of all 

ages? 

In contemporary society, our elders, and 

old age itself, are often treated as problems. 

Academics, practitioners and policymakers 

tend to focus on the losses and 

deficits of aging, such as physical disability, 

loneliness, loss of significant others, 

Alzheimer’s disease, burden to family 

caregivers, and increasingly as a cause 

of government budget deficits. Given 

that negative focus, it is easy to lose sight 

of the fact that older people are invaluable 

resources—conveyors of precious 

knowledge for younger generations. The 



Lessons for living: The Legacy Project collects and 

disseminates elder wisdom <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> <strong>38</strong> 

Cornell Legacy Project contributes to 

an accurate portrayal by collecting and 

sharing the wisdom of older adults. 

Using a variety of social science methods, 

the Legacy Project has asked more 

than 1,200 people ages 65 and older to 

reflect on the question: “What are the 

most important lessons you’ve learned 

over the course of your life that you 

would pass on to younger generations?” 

These individuals have provided highly 

detailed answers about how younger 

people can live happy, healthy and fulfilling 

lives. They have also shared invaluable 

lessons for the not-so-young on 

how to grow old gracefully and joyfully. 

An ongoing aim of the Legacy Project is 

to both disseminate these elders’ main 

lessons for living and to continue to collect 

new ones (see the sidebar on <strong>page</strong> 42 

to find out how active-aging organizations 

can help). 

Why the Legacy Project? 

Because of widespread ageism, this project 

may surprise some people. Why, they 

may ask, should we let America’s older 

40 

adults tell us how to live our lives? What 

relevance do their life lessons have for 

younger people today? To answer those 

questions, let me begin with an anthropological 

fact. Over the 1.5 million years of 

human existence, it is only for about the 

past 200 years that most people have gone 

to anyone other than elders for solutions to 

life’s problems. 

As the anthropologist Leo Simmons 

pointed out, “Knowledge, wisdom, and 

experience are social assets which normally 

accumulate with age and outlast physical 

stamina …. Those endowed with the 

art of writing and surrounded by printed 

documents can scarcely appreciate the 

inestimable value of an aged person possessing 

more knowledge than any other 

source within reach.” 1 For much of history, 

the knowledge older people possessed— 

about hunting, farming and healing, 

for example—was a key to human 

survival. 

One could argue that the value of this 

type of knowledge is a thing of the past. 

We now have phalanxes of profession- 


als, television, and of course the Internet. 

Information is so readily available, and 

knowledge so quickly out of date, that 

older people are much more likely to 

be seen as obsolete than to be treated as 

sages. 

It is the fundamental assumption of the 

Legacy Project that elders in our society 

have a critically important knowledge advantage 

over younger people. Put simply: 

They have lived their lives. They have been 

where most younger Americans have not. 

Many people over the age of 70 grew up in 

poverty, living hand-to-mouth during the 

Great Depression. They (or their parents 

or siblings) went to war while their families 

suffered <strong>from</strong> uncertainty, emotional 

distress and economic difficulties. Women 

had far fewer options for employment 

and self-development, struggling to find 

their place in the world. Men frequently 

had jobs instead of careers, working long 

hours to make ends meet. In sum, today’s 

older adults have been placed in situations 

that tested their limits, and their valuable 

insights for living well through hard times 

are highly relevant today.

Equally important, because of their location 

at the end of the human life span, 

older people have already experienced 

many of the losses and challenges that 

worry the young—for example, widowhood, 

illness, unemployment. Many 

have been married for 30, 40 or 50 years 

or longer. They have raised children 

and reflected on what worked and what 

didn’t. As they near life’s exit door, they, 

more than anyone else, can tell us about 

aging well and how to prepare for the 

end of life. 

Finally, there is a particularly urgent 

reason for listening to the practical 

wisdom of America’s elders: this invaluable 

resource is running out. The last 

veterans of World War I are gone; those 

of World War II are now in their 80s or 

older. Children of the Great Depression 

have reached their 70s. In earlier human 

societies, knowledge about how to live 

life was passed down <strong>from</strong> generation to 

generation (indeed, as mentioned, this 

is how we survived as a species). When 

this generation is gone, however, their 

wisdom may pass away unnoticed. The 

Legacy Project aims to take the lessons 

older adults have learned and make 

them available, so younger people— 

today and in the future—can use them 

to improve their lives and answer life’s 

difficult questions. 

Methods of the Legacy 

Project 

When I began the Legacy Project, I 

consulted the available social science 

literature for guidance. To my surprise, 

although there had been considerable 

research on elder wisdom in general, I 

was unable to find a single study that 

asked older people for their specific 

advice for happy and successful living. 

Further, most projects on the topic of 

wisdom had used small, convenience 

samples that were not representative 

of the larger population. Our goal was 

to gather advice for living <strong>from</strong> a large 

and diverse group of older Americans, 

so that we could take advantage of “the 

wisdom of crowds.” We wished to obtain 

lessons <strong>from</strong> individuals in all regions of 

the country and <strong>from</strong> different religious, 

ethnic and socioeconomic groups. To 

accomplish this exhaustive approach to 

gathering the data, we took the following 

steps. 

First, we contacted alumni of several 

colleges. We wrote to former students 

ages 65 and over, asking them to send us 

their life lessons. We then created a website 

and publicized it nationally through 

press releases that were picked up by 

many organizations for older people as 


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functional living, increases. SPRI 

hopes that by providing tools to 

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disseminates elder wisdom <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 41 

42 

How you can help with the 

Legacy Project 

A goal of the Cornell University 

Legacy Project is to continue to collect 

older people’s lessons for living. 

To make it easy to participate, we 

have set up a simple <strong>page</strong> on the 

Legacy Project website where individuals 

can enter their lessons. 

We especially urge organizations 

that serve elders to encourage their 

residents or participants to contribute 

their advice to the Legacy 

Project. Here are some ways you can 

facilitate these contributions: 

• Post a flyer about the project or 

include a brief description in your 

newsletter. 

• If you work with those who have 

diminished capacity, encourage 

staff, volunteers or family members 

to do brief interviews with 

elders and post responses on the 

Legacy Project website. 

• Encourage Legacy Project participation 

as an activity for computer 

training classes. 

• Include interviewing elders and 

posting their life lessons as an 

intergenerational program 

activity. 

To contribute lessons, visit http:// 

legacyproject.human.cornell.edu/ 

give-your-advice. There is an easyto-use 

form on this web<strong>page</strong>, and 

we approve and respond to contributions 

quickly. Everyone is also 

invited to join a dialogue about 

elder wisdom at the Legacy Project 

Facebook <strong>page</strong> at www.facebook. 

com/#!/lessonsforliving. 

well as local newspapers. Elders—who 

are much more tech-savvy than many of 

us acknowledge—gave us their thoughts 

via the Web. More than 600 responses 

were received by these methods, including 

a number <strong>from</strong> individuals in other 

countries. 

Next, we expanded the study by doing 

a national survey. Individuals ages 60 

and over <strong>from</strong> around the United States 

were selected at random and called on 

the telephone by trained interviewers. 

In these interviews, we were able to pose 

our questions more specifically. We began 

by asking in general: “What lessons 

have you learned in your life?” But we 

followed up by asking what respondents 

felt they had learned in specific domains. 

We also asked whether there were any 

problems or difficulties in their lives 

that had taught them valuable things, 

and what core values and principles they 

lived by. Additionally, we asked if they 

had any advice for younger people 

about how to age successfully. We conducted 

over 300 of these interviews, 

all of which were tape-recorded and 

transcribed. 

Finally, we solicited nominations of 

older adults <strong>from</strong> a variety of organizations, 

including seniors centers, county 

offices for the aging, and the independent 

and assisted living communities 

of Brookdale Senior Living. Individuals 

were nominated specifically because 

they were seen as possessing wisdom for 

living (and we were not disappointed!). 

In-depth, tape-recorded interviews were 

conducted with approximately 350 of 

these nominees. 

In all, the respondents provided thousands 

of lessons on a vast range of topics. 

As we analyzed the interviews, we 

found that the lessons could be grouped 

into broad themes. The main themes on 

which people gave advice were: 

• Love and Marriage 

• Raising Children 


• Work and Career 

• Money (making it and managing it) 

• Faith and Spirituality 

• Health 

• Avoiding Worry and Stress 

• Living with Loss 

• Facing the End of Life 

• Living Compassionately 

• Avoiding Regrets 

• Aging Well 

In this article, I will focus on lessons for 

aging well as an example of their advicegiving. 

The contributions endorse the 

concept of active aging and provide a 

positive take on growing older despite 

challenges and loss. Lessons for living on 

other topics can be found on the Legacy 

Project website (http://legacyproject. 

human.cornell.edu). 

Lessons for aging well 

One of the most surprising aspects of my 

conversations with Legacy Project elders 

was how generally positive they were 

about this life stage. Indeed, their overall 

message can be summed up as: 

Being old is much better than most 

people think it will be. There was an 

exuberance to many of the responses. 

These individuals had found that life 

after 70 was interesting, engaging and 

enjoyable. 

For example, Harry stated: 

“In my own life, now 81 years, 

some of my most creative years 

came after age 70. The result is 

that it opened a whole new world 

of admiring friends and business 

associates nationwide. I now 

work at least two full days and 

three half-days a week in the 

business and play golf the other 

half-days for exercise and the joy 

of competing on the golf course 

with many more long-term, close 

friends. My choice is to live to the 

fullest until my time to depart, 

when my children, grandchildren 

and great-grandchildren can

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

grab the baton and carry it aloft 

for as long as their allotted time. 

To me, life is for living as long as 

I am physically able to get up and 

move.” 

Lenore provided her prescription for a 

good old age: 

“I am 89 years young at heart, 

living in assisted living. Keep 

learning every day that passes. 

Keep active both mentally and 

physically every day. Life has so 

much to offer. Take a walk if you 

can. Even if you are wheelchair 

bound, do some movement of 

your arms and legs. Read magazines 

or books and share your 

thoughts with others. Keep your 

sense of humor. Life is so much 

fun and a laugh lightens whatever 

is wrong.” 

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This attitude was perhaps best summed 

up by one 93-year-old respondent: “My 

advice about growing old? I’d tell them 

to find the magic!” 

The Legacy Project elders offered a number 

of specific lessons for growing old 

fearlessly and well: 

• Stay connected. The elders say we have 

to take very seriously the threat of 

social isolation in later life. We should 

make conscious and assertive efforts to 

stay connected, through new learning 

opportunities and creating new relationships. 

Respondents told us things 

like: “Always reach out. You don’t want 

to become isolated.” “At 70 or 80 my 

lesson is: Learn to be social!” 

• Explore senior living communities. 

Many of the Legacy Project elders say 

that as we grow older, we should con- 

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A move to a senior living community 

often opens up opportunities for better 

living. The support and sociability, 

they say, keeps older adults engaged 

and healthier. Said one individual: 

“I didn’t realize how much fun it is 

being with people on a regular basis, 

and being in community with them, 

sharing our lives. And there are about 

as many activities as you’re interested 

in.” Respondents noted that many 

people have preconceived notions 

about senior living communities that 

deter them <strong>from</strong> considering the option. 

This, according to the elders, is a 

mistake. 

• Stay active. The elders’ almost universal 

lesson for the good life in old age 

is to maintain as high a level of activ- 


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disseminates elder wisdom <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 43 

44 

ity as possible. Learning activities are 

at the top of the list. According to 

one Legacy Project participant: “Keep 

learning every day that passes. Education 

is important and you are never 

too old to learn something new— 

computers and the latest technology 

or a new way to cook something or 

how to make a quilt. Take classes that 

are offered by your local library. Satisfy 

your curiosity.” 

• Plan for the end of life. We asked the 

respondents about their thoughts 

regarding the end of life. Most individuals 

were not fearful or concerned 

about death itself (a finding consistent 

with other research showing that 

death anxiety is lower among older 

adults). However, they did encourage 

all of us to “plan for the journey.” 

This kind of lesson was typical for the 

elders: “One piece of advice I would 

give certainly would be to prepare living 

wills, to have people that you trust 

be healthcare proxies, and to take all 

those kinds of precautions that you 

can. Too many people just don’t give 

it any thought. And then their children 

or grandchildren have to make 

really, really tough decisions and 

that’s not fair. So the main piece of 

advice I would give is to make those 

kinds of decisions ahead of time as 

best you can.” 

Continuing the Legacy Project 

Over the years that we have been conducting 

the Legacy Project, we have seen 

three major benefits. First, individuals 

who offer their advice find it to be a very 

positive experience. Many respondents 

expressed pleasant surprise that someone 

was interested in their advice for 

living, and being able to offer their lessons 

felt meaningful and fulfilling. This 

activity provides an opportunity for elders 

to engage in generativity—offering 

wisdom to assist the younger generation. 

Second, feedback <strong>from</strong> younger readers 

of the life lessons indicates that they 

find the advice useful and that reading 

Gathering lessons for living: six questions to get the 

conversation going 

After interviewing hundreds of older people about their advice for younger 

generations, we were able to identify some questions that work well to get the 

conversation started. The following six questions were particularly thoughtprovoking 

for our respondents and brought a wide range of responses: 

1. If a young person asked you, “What have you learned in your ____ years in 

this world,” what would you tell him or her? 

2. Some people say that they have had difficult or stressful experiences but they 

have learned important lessons <strong>from</strong> them. Is that true for you? 

3. As you look back over your life, do you see any “turning points”; that is, a key 

event or experience that changed the course of your life or set you on a different 

track? 

4. What would you say you know now about living a happy and successful life 

that you didn’t know when you were 20? 

5. What would you say are the major values or principles that you live by? 

6. What can younger people do to avoid having regrets later in life? 


it makes them feel more connected to 

the older generation. Third, we hope 

that taking seriously the life lessons of 

the oldest Americans can help to reduce 

the pervasive ageism in our society and 

encourage a more complete picture of 

older adults. 

The Legacy Project’s continuing goal is 

to foster this kind of intergenerational 

dialogue. We believe that such discussions 

can take place in families and 

neighborhoods. But organizations that 

promote active aging can also play a key 

role. As described in the sidebar on <strong>page</strong> 

42, we would like as many older adults 

as possible to post their advice for living 

on the Legacy Project website. Participation 

is by no means limited to the United 

States; we greatly appreciate contributions 

of lessons <strong>from</strong> other countries. 

Discussing and posting life lessons 

can be a valuable activity for groups of 

older adults everywhere, as well as an 

interesting intergenerational project. 

By archiving, analyzing and publicizing 

the useful advice of our elders, we hope 

to offer people of all ages the benefits of 

their practical wisdom. 

Karl Pillemer, PhD, is the Hazel E. Reed 

Professor of Human Development at Cornell 

University in Ithaca, New York, and a 

professor of gerontology in medicine at the 

Weill Cornell Medical College. Since 1993, 

Pillemer has directed the Cornell Institute 

of Translational Research on Aging, a center 

focused on moving the findings of aging 

research into practice. He is the author of a 

book on the Legacy Project, 30 Lessons for 

Living, which will be published by Hudson 

Street Press in November 2011. Pillemer 

can be reached at kap6@cornell.edu. 

Reference 

1. Simmons, L. W. (1945). The Role of the Aged in 

Primitive Society, p. 131. New Haven CT: Yale 

University Press.

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body vibration training: a new wave in 

exercise intervention for older adults?” 

published in this journal, I reviewed the 

findings in the literature that examined 

the feasibility of using WBV as an intervention 

to address people’s needs as they 

age. A good deal of research has been 

done since that review, and this paper is 

intended to bring you up to date on the 

latest findings. (For a more detailed explanation 

of whole body vibration itself, 

read the article mentioned above. See 


Illustration: Jacob Benaroch 


Whole body vibration, part one: what’s shakin’ now? 


“Resources” on <strong>page</strong> 59 to learn how to 

access this article online.) 

Perhaps one of the first questions that 

comes to mind when we look at this 

technology is why it has gained such attention. 

An article by Bautmans et al., 

who examined the feasibility of using 

WBV as a training intervention in institutionalized 

older adults, provides some 

insight into why we are all so interested. 

The researchers suggest that fatigue and 

lack of interest can affect the willingness 

of older residents in skilled nursing 

facilities to engage in high-intensity exercise 

to improve physical functioning. 1 

To these obstacles, we should add other 

barriers that can reduce the likelihood 

of regular exercise among independently 

living older adults, such as levels of 

perceived exertion, time requirements, 

need to travel, exercise setting, and 

what I like to call “the environment of 

failure.” 

While perceived exertion, time requirements 

and the inconvenience of travel 

48 

WBV 

BOREDOM AND FATIGUE 

TIME COMMITMENT 

EXERCISE SETTING 

are commonly presented as impediments 

to activity, exercise setting and environment 

of failure may be less familiar to 

you. When considering exercise setting, 

many older people feel uncomfortable 

in surroundings filled with ominous 

machines and twentysomethings dressed 

in clingy fabrics, as an example. Environment 

of failure is based on the outdated 

and misleading attitude perpetrated 

by many fitness professionals that “you 

have to work as hard as you can every 

day, and if you miss a day, you’ll lose everything.” 

WBV is an exercise technique 

that has the potential to provide positive 

results while minimizing many of these 

obstacles (see Figure 1 below). 

But just how effective is WBV as a training 

tool for older individuals? Before we 

take a look at what the research shows, 

let me make some things clear: 

1. The topic of WBV is multidimensional. 

There are a number of different 

machines that provide vibrations in 

different ways. These include vertical 

ENVIRONMENT OF FAILURE 

Figure 1. Obstacles to exercise: Is whole body vibration an answer? 


E 

X 

E 

R 

C 

I 

S 

E 

NEED TO TRAVEL 

LACK OF INTEREST 

PERCEIVED EXERTION 

displacement machines that move 

up and down; triplanar machines 

that provide vibrations up and down, 

forward and back, and side to side; 

and centrally pivoting machines 

that offer a seesaw, or teeter-totter, 

stimulus. Given the differences in 

these machines alone, you can expect 

the training protocols to vary 

considerably. 

2. There is no miraculous remedy that 

can answer all the health and functionality 

questions as we age. The 

analogy I use in my book Bending the 

Aging Curve is that of a diamond (see 

Figure 2 on <strong>page</strong> 50). Just as the many 

facets of a diamond must be properly 

cut and polished to bring it “life,” so 

independence and safety in our later 

years depend on many factors. This 

article will look at the impact of WBV 

on the many physical performance 

factors that affect successful aging. 

3. Research offers no absolutes. I will 

present (to the best of my ability) an 

unbiased view of the results of controlled 

studies. For some factors, the 

conclusions may be clearer than for 

others. This may be due to conflicting 

results, different training or testing 

methods, or limited research in a particular 

area. In addition, some papers 

may be of greater or lesser importance 

due to study design, statistical 

methodology and other factors commonly 

considered when evaluating a 

research study. 

I invite you to read this review with an 

inquisitive eye and critical mind and 

make your own decisions. 

Strength and power 

A number of recent studies have examined 

the effects of a single bout of WBV 

and WBV training programs on strength 

and power in older individuals. In an 

article examining the effects of combining 

triplanar WBV and high-intensity 


C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K



50 

Independence 

resistance training (approximately 80% 

1RM [repetition maximum]), Bemben 

and colleagues 2 reported that their 

resistance-training group showed greater 

improvements than controls in 13 of 

16 muscle groups tested, while their 

WBV-plus-resistance-training group 

showed better performances than controls 

for 15 of the muscle groups. Also, 

the improvements for the WBV-plusresistance-training 

group exceeded those 

of the resistance-training group for 7 

muscle groups. Bautmans and his team 1 

reported that 6 weeks of static lowerbody 

exercises with and without triplanar 

WBV produced similar increases in 

leg-extension strength and power (see 

Figure 3 on <strong>page</strong> 52). Similarly, a study 

by Bogaerts et al. at Katholieke Universiteit 

Leuven in Belgium found comparative 

increases in leg-extension strength 

and power between a standard exercise 

program (cardiovascular, strength and 

flexibility training) and a triplanar WBV 

exercise program targeting upper- and 

lower-body musculature. 3 

Indications of the ability of centrally 

pivoting WBV platforms to improve 

strength and power have come <strong>from</strong> the 

Centre of Physical Activity Across the 

Lifespan at the Australian Catholic University. 

4 According to these researchers, 

significant increases were noted in both 

chair stand and timed up-and-go performance 

as the result of a 6-week WBV 

program, which consisted of 5 one-minute 

bouts of static squatting separated by 

one-minute recovery intervals. In a second 

study, Rees and his group reported 

that their progressive WBV protocol (6 

sets; 45–80 seconds with equal recovery; 

26 Hz; 5–8 mm) produced greater improvements 

in plantar flexion strength 


Strength 

Power 

Flexibility 

Balance 

Mobility 

Aerobic capacity 

Figure 2. The diamond analogy for maximizing the benefits of exercise 

interventions. (After Signorile, J. F. Bending the Aging Curve. Human Kinetics 

Publishers, 2011.) 

and power than a similar exercise program 

without WBV. Both protocols 

produced the same levels of strength and 

power improvement, however, in knee 

and hip flexion and extension. 

Researchers <strong>from</strong> Spain’s University of 

León Institute of Biomedicine 5 found a 

significant increase in muscle strength 

and thigh-muscle growth in women ages 

65–90 years after 10 weeks of lower-limb 

vertical WBV training (unloaded static 

and dynamic squats: half-squats, knee 

angle 120–130°; deep squat, knee angle 

90°; 20–40 Hz, 2–4 mm). There was 

no change in muscle power, however. 

Mikhael and colleagues <strong>from</strong> the University 

of Sydney, Australia, examined 

the capacity of a vertical displacement 

plate (12 Hz, one mm; 20 minutes per 

day, 3 days per week; one-minute 1:1 

work:recovery duty cycle) to improve 

neuromuscular performance across a 

3-month training period. This team 

looked at changes as they affected participants 

who stood with either locked 

or bent knees. Improvements were 

reported in upper- and lower-body 

strength for both WBV groups, with 

the locked-leg group having greater improvements 

in lower-body strength 

and upper-body movement speed than 

the control and flexed-leg groups, 

respectively. 6 

Overall, these studies support the positive 

effects of WBV on strength and, 

to some extent, power in older adults. 

They also indicate that this modality can 

produce results similar to standard highintensity 

resistance-training programs. 

WBV appears to have limited benefit, 

though, when used as a supplement to 

high-intensity resistance training. In addition, 

the improvements seen in plantar 

flexion, and not in the upper thigh and 

hip muscles, may reflect a decline in the 

vibratory stimulus transmission across 

muscles and joints farther <strong>from</strong> the 

point of application. It has been sug- 





Force (N) 

gested that this decline is due to damping 

(diminishing) of the stimulus by the 

tissues, especially when the joints are 

bent. 7,8 

Further research into the impact of 

WBV training on power in older adults 

is warranted for the following reasons: 

• Power is well-documented as an 

important factor affecting independence 

and falls probability in this 

population. 9,10,11 

• A majority of studies examining the 

capacity of single bouts of WBV 12,13,14 

and WBV training 15,16,17 to increase 

power in younger individuals have 

shown positive results. 

• It remains to be determined if the 

frequency and amplitude settings 

shown to produce maximal results in 

younger adults are the same for older 

individuals, given changes in muscle 

structure, function and metabolism. 

52 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

FORCE POWER 

Isometric training Isometric training 

+ WBV no WBV 

Before training 

After training 

Isometric training 

+ WBV 

Finally, since WBV and standard 

high-intensity resistance-training protocols 

have similar positive impacts 

on strength and power, studies should 

compare perceived effort, exercise compliance, 

required exercise time and volume, 

and attitudes toward the exercise 

interventions to find out if WBV may 

be more acceptable, and therefore more 

effective. 

Balance 

As was the case with strength and 

power, controlled studies have looked 

at balance responses to acute bouts and 

training using WBV. Carlucci, Mazzà 

and Cappozzo 18 examined the impact of 

6 one-minute bouts of dynamic and isometric 

squat exercise with 30-second recoveries 

during sessions with and without 

WBV. No significant changes were 

shown in postural control for either the 

WBV or non-WBV conditions. Rather 

than interpreting WBV as ineffective, 


Isometric training 

no WBV 

Figure 3. Similar increases in strength and power as a result of an isometric lowerbody 

training program with (+WBV) and without (no WBV) whole body vibration. 

From data by Bautmans et al., The feasibility of whole body vibration in institutionalised 

elderly persons and its influence on muscle performance, balance and mobility: 

a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN62535013]. BMC Geriatrics, 5, 17, 2005. 

350 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Power (W) 

the authors concluded that an acute 

bout of WBV did not induce a dangerous 

effect on older adults (average age 

about 72 years) and could safely be used 

as part of a long-term intervention. 

In 2 separate training studies, Bautmans 

et al. 1 and Bruyere et al. 19 found 

that WBV training could significantly 

improve balance in older adults living 

in skilled nursing facilities and independently 

(see Figure 4 on <strong>page</strong> 54). 

Both studies looked at a 6-week training 

period. WBV training in the Bautmans 

study consisted of progressive training 

using 6 lower-body isometric exercises, 

with results compared to a control group 

doing the same exercises without WBV. 

The Bruyere study added WBV training 

to an existing physical therapy regimen 

practiced by the control group. Also, 

the machines used in these studies differed 

in the application of vibration: 

Bautmans’ study used a triplanar WBV 

platform at frequencies of 35 and 40 Hz 

and amplitudes of 2 and 5 mm, while 

Bruyere’s study used a centrally pivoting 

displacement platform with frequencies 

and amplitudes of 10 and 26 Hz and 

3 and 7 mm. 

Bogaerts and colleagues 20 looked at the 

combined impacts of vitamin D supplementation 

and triplanar WBV on measures 

of gait and balance. They found 

similar improvement in postural sway 

velocity with both high and low vitamin 

D supplementation (1600 IU and 880 IU 

per day, respectively), but no increase in 

balance due to WBV training. However, 

WBV training did produce superior 

improvements in 10-m preferred walking 

speed and for the timed up-and-go 

at both preferred and maximal performance 

speeds. A separate article examining 

the impact of this protocol on bone 

density and muscle strength reported no 

additional benefit <strong>from</strong> adding WBV to 

vitamin D supplementation. 21 


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Tinetti Score 

Using 6 weeks of centrally pivoting 

WBV training (26 Hz, 5–8 mm, 6 sets 

of 45–80 seconds), Sven Rees and colleagues 

found that WBV produced significantly 

better results for seconds 5–15 

of a single-leg stand test than those produced 

by inactive controls or an exercise 

group performing the same lower-body 

training protocol without WBV. 22 

Overall, these results offer good support 

for WBV as a training modality that can 

improve balance in older adults. More 

research is needed to clarify the specific 

impact of different WBV platforms and 

protocols on dynamic and static balance 

in different planes of motion. Long-term 

studies on falls, injuries due to falls, and 

changes in falls efficacy are also needed 

to establish WBV as a viable training 

method to reduce falls and their potentially 

fatal consequences. 

54 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

-2 

WBV + physical therapy 

Physical therapy 

Tinetti Gait 

Score 

Tinetti Balance 

Score 

Bone density 

Some studies have examined the potential 

for WBV to positively affect bone 

mineral density (BMD) and structure. 

Beck and Norling 23 looked at the impact 

of WBV on bone parameters using a 

vertical vibration platform (~2 mm; 0.3 

g; 30 Hz) and a centrally pivoting platform 

(0–14 mm, 12.5 Hz). Their control 

group lost bone mineral content in the 

trochanter and lumbar spine (pelvis 

and lower back), while no significant 

decreases were seen in these parameters 

for either WBV group. The group that 

trained on the centrally pivoting WBV 

platform also showed an increase in the 

transfer of ultrasonic vibration at the 

ankle, an indicator of lower probability 

of fracture. Despite these positive effects, 

the participants who trained on 

the vertical WBV platform showed a loss 

in whole-body bone mineral content 


Tinetti Global 

Score 

Figure 4. Increases in the Tinetti Gait, Balance, and Global (overall) scores as a result 

of Physical Therapy versus Physical Therapy plus WBV. Significantly greater improvements 

were seen by Physical Therapy plus WBV group over the Physical Therapy 

group for all scores. From data by Bruyere et al., Controlled whole body vibration to 

decrease fall risk and improve health-related quality of life of nursing home residents. 

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 86(2), 303–307, 2005. 

and proximal forearm BMD. In a second 

study of the impact of centrally pivoting 

WBV on BMD, Gusi et al. 24 reported 

that over an 8-month training period, a 

group that performed WBV static squatting 

(3 days/week, 60° knee flexion, 6 

bouts, one-minute work/one-minute 

recovery, 12.6 Hz, 3 cm) had greater improvement 

in BMD in the femoral neck 

(which connects thigh to hip) and balance 

compared to a group that walked 

55 minutes per day for the same period. 

Both groups showed no improvements 

in lumbar spine BMD. 

Results were less impressive <strong>from</strong> an 

8-month study of the impact of a highintensity 

resistance-training program 

with and without triplanar WBV (30–40 

Hz, 2–4 mm; 2–2.8 g). 2 The researchers 

found no change in whole body, trochanter 

or spinal bone density. In fact, 

they reported a significant decrease in 

bone density of the radius (forearm), 

hip and femoral neck for the control, 

resistance-training and WBV-plusresistance-training 

groups (see Figure 5 

on <strong>page</strong> 56). 

Overall, these results, while generally 

positive, reflect the same need for further 

research that I noted for neuromuscular 

performance and balance. Let me 

quote Slatkovska et al. 25 at the conclusion 

of their systematic analysis of WBV 

and bone density: 

“We found significant but small 

improvements in BMD in postmenopausal 

women and children 

and adolescents, but not in young 

adults. WBV is a promising new 

modality, but before recommendations 

can be made for clinical 

practice, large-scale long-term 

studies are needed to determine 

optimal magnitude, frequency 

and duration.” 


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Percentage change in total body BMD (g/cm 2 ) 

Cardiovascular fitness 

While a number of studies have examined 

the impact of WBV on oxygen 

consumption, with an eye toward caloric 

output (see “Body composition” section 

below), few have looked at the impact of 

WBV on cardiovascular fitness. A study 

by Bogaerts and colleagues 3 mentioned 

earlier, which compared a standard 

exercise program to a WBV exercise 

program, indicated that both programs 

were equally effective in improving peak 

oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak ). However, 

the standard program produced 

a greater improvement in time to peak 

exercise, a measure of endurance performance, 

according to the researchers. 

Clearly, there is a need for controlled 

studies examining the potential for 

WBV training to improve not only oxygen 

consumption, but also other factors 

related to cardiovascular health. 

Body composition 

Given the studies that have shown WBV 

can increase oxygen consumption and 

56 

0.4 

0.3 

0.2 

0.1 

0.0 

-0.1 

-0.2 

WBV 

Resistance 

Control 

Figure 5. Similar percentage changes in bone mineral density (BMD) across 8 

months for a whole body vibration (WBV), resistance training (Resistance) and control 

group. From data by Bemben et al., Effects of combined whole body vibration 

and resistance training on muscular strength and bone metabolism in postmenopausal 

women. Bone, 47(3), 650–656, 2010. 

caloric output when added to an existing 

exercise program, 26,27,28 it was logical to 

examine this modality’s impact on body 

composition. To that end, our laboratory 

at the University of Miami and others 

have studied this impact. 

The Bone Research Laboratory at the 

University of Oklahoma’s Department 

of Health and Exercise Science 29 compared 

changes in body composition 

resulting <strong>from</strong> a standard progressive 

resistance-training protocol (8 exercises, 

3 sets of 10 repetitions; 80% 1RM) to a 

triplanar WBV protocol consisting of 

static shoulder presses and wrist curls 

and dynamic body-weight squats (progressing 

<strong>from</strong> one set of 15 seconds at 30 

Hz, 3 mm; to 2 sets of 30 seconds at 40 

Hz, 3 mm; with 15-second recovery between 

sets). Both the resistance-training 

and WBV interventions increased bonefree 

lean body mass, but the WBV group 

alone showed a significant reduction 

in percent body fat (see Figure 6 on 

<strong>page</strong> 58). 


Our laboratory compared the impact of 

8 weeks of steady-state treadmill training, 

circuit resistance training or triplanar 

WBV on lean body mass and percent 

body fat, as well as maximum oxygen 

consumption, time to peak exercise, and 

upper- and lower-body strength. Our results 

showed no changes in body weight 

or percent body fat for any group. There 

was a trend, however, toward greater increases 

in lean body mass by the circuit 

training group. 

Recovery <strong>from</strong> exercise 

A few papers have investigated the feasibility 

of using WBV to aid recovery 

<strong>from</strong> exercise in an older population. 

A research group <strong>from</strong> New Zealand 30 

questioned whether an acute bout of 

WBV could improve recovery <strong>from</strong> 

high-intensity interval training in a 

sample of well-trained runners whose 

average age was approximately 46 years. 

In addition to evaluating 3-km running 

performance, the researchers evaluated 

bloodborne markers of muscle damage 

and inflammation following a 3-km time 

trial and 8 400-m bouts of high-intensity 

interval training separated by 60-second 

recovery periods. Their results indicated 

that 2 bouts of 5 repetitions standing 

and sitting WBV (60-second bout, 

30-second recovery) on a centrally pivoting 

plate (12 Hz, 6 mm) did not improve 

performance or reduce muscle damage 

or inflammation in these athletes. 

Disease states 

Several disease states are commonly seen 

in older individuals. Could WBV potentially 

affect declines associated with 

these disease states? Let’s take a look at 

what the research shows. 

Parkinson’s disease. Pablo Arias et al. 

<strong>from</strong> the University of A Coruña in 

Spain examined the effects of WBV on 

Parkinson’s disease. 31 In a double-blind, 

placebo study, they found that 12 sessions 

of WBV on a centrally pivoting 





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platform had no effect on gait, the 

functional reach test, Purdue Pegboard 

test, Borg balance test, or the Unified 

Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. The 

results support those reported earlier by 

this research group indicating no impact 

of centrally pivoting WBV at 3, 6 and 

9 Hz on balance or gait. Somewhat different 

findings were reported by Georg 

Ebersbach and colleagues, who found 

similar improvements in gait and equilibrium 

as a result of WBV and standard 

physical therapy. 32 Additionally, 2 separate 

studies performed at Johann Wolfgang 

Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt, 

Germany, 33,34 demonstrated that WBV 

improved motor function in Parkinson’s 

patients. Ricky Lau and associates summarize 

these findings as follows in their 

review of the topic: “There is insufficient 

evidence to prove or refute the effectiveness 

of WBV in enhancing sensorimotor 

performance in people with PD [Parkinson’s 

disease].” 35 The positive effects 

reported in a number of these studies, 

however, indicate that further research is 

warranted. 

Stroke. Jacqueline Merket and colleagues 

<strong>from</strong> the Forschungsgruppe Geriatrie, 

Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, examined 

whether adding a unique vibratory 

disc, which offered different levels 

of instability and vibration at 20–45 Hz, 

58 

% Change 

would improve trunk stability, muscle 

tone and postural control in older stroke 

patients to a greater degree than a standard 

rehabilitation program. 36 These researchers 

reported that although the improvements 

made by the 2 groups were 

not significantly different, the group that 

received the vibratory stimulus made 

larger gains in nearly every measure. 

Multiple sclerosis. Broekmans et al. 37 

studied the impact of a 20-week triplanar 

WBV lower-body training program 

(both dynamic and static exercises) on 

strength and functional performance in 

moderately impaired multiple sclerosis 

patients, average age 48 years. Neither 

strength nor functional performance 

was improved as a result of the program, 

which featured 5 training sessions per 2 

weeks that progressed in duration <strong>from</strong> 


5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

-1 

-2 

-3 

-4 

-5 

Resistance training 

WBV 

Controls 

% BF BFLTM 

Figure 6. Significantly greater percentage increases in bone-free lean body tissue 

(BFLTM) in whole body vibration (WBV) and resistance training groups compared 

to controls. Significantly greater decreases in percent body fat (%BF) than controls 

only in the WBV training group. From: Fjeldstad et al., Whole body vibration augments 

resistance training effects on body composition in postmenopausal women. 

Maturitas, 63(1), 79–83, 2009. 

2.5 to 16.5 minutes and <strong>from</strong> 20 to 45 Hz 

at an amplitude of 2.5 mm (2.32–2.71 g). 

Polio. A pilot study <strong>from</strong> Skäne University 

in Sweden examined the impact of 

10 vertical WBV (25 Hz, 3.75 mm) training 

sessions lasting 30 minutes or less on 

strength and gait parameters in patients 

ages 55–70 years with late-stage polio. <strong>38</strong> 

Neither strength nor gait performance 

showed any significant improvements 

due to this WBV training protocol. 

Fibromyalgia. Narcis Gusi and his 

research group <strong>from</strong> Cáceres, Spain, 

investigated the potential for WBV to 

improve dynamic balance in 41 women 

with fibromyalgia, ages 41–65 years. 39 

The researchers’ intervention consisted 

of 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks, with 

each session employing 6 bouts of 45–60

seconds of centrally pivoting WBV at 

12.5 Hz and 3 mm. They reported a significant 

increase in dynamic balance for 

the WBV group over controls. 

So, based on all the evidence outlined 

above, what can we conclude about using 

WBV as a training tool for older 

adults? 

Conclusions 

I suggest that these recent study results 

support the conclusions of a number of 

researchers who have reviewed WBV as 

an intervention for addressing the structural 

and functional declines seen with 

aging. 40,6,25,41 These conclusions include 

the following: 

1. Given the comparable results in many 

studies comparing WBV and standard 

training methods and the potential 

for declines in function across longer 

duration studies with older adults, 

new studies should include both a 

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Print 

Whole body vibration training: 

a new wave in exercise intervention 

for older adults? 

Author: Joseph F. Signorile 

Publisher: Journal on Active Aging, 

5(5), 30–37, September/October 2006 

* Available in the “Articles archives” 

(“Research”) in the members only section 

of the ICAA website, www.icaa.cc 

standard training and control group. 

Studies should also include measures 

of compliance and perceived exertion. 

2. To truly evaluate the effectiveness 

of WBV as a training tool, future research 

should include larger sample 

sizes and longer interventions. 

3. Since a number of studies have examined 

the use of WBV as a tool for 

warm-up and performance potentiation 

(a term used to indicate that an 

initial exercise bout has a positive 

effect on subsequent performance), 

studies should examine if WBV 

application prior to training can increase 

the benefits on functional 

performance. 

4. Given the rapid declines in flexibility 

with age and the positive impact that 

improvements in flexibility can have 

on functionality in older adults, studies 

examining the impact of WBV on 

flexibility are imperative. 

5. Finally, studies should continue to 

examine the mechanisms by which 

WBV can effect changes in specific 

fitness parameters. 

Conclusions about the effectiveness of 

various protocols will be provided in the 

second part of this article. Watch for this 

installment in the next issue of the Journal 

on Active Aging®. 

Joseph Signorile, PhD, is a professor of 

exercise physiology at the University of 

Miami, Florida, and a research specialist 

at the Miami Veterans Administration 

Medical Center Geriatrics Research Center. 

Signorile has been involved in research 

using exercise to address independence and 

falls prevention for over 15 years. He has 

more than 50 refereed manuscripts, and 

175 national and international scientific 

and 200 industry presentations. Signorile 

is also the author of the recently published 

book Bending the Aging Curve: The 

Complete Exercise Guide for Older 

Adults, available <strong>from</strong> Human Kinetics, 

www.humankinetics.com. 

A list of references is available online 

at www.icaa.cc/references.htm. 

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ICAA Innovators 

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60 


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the recipients of the 2010 ICAA Innovators 

Awards. Launched by the <strong>International</strong> 

<strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® (ICAA) in 2003, 

these awards recognize creativity and excellence 

in active aging, honoring innovations 

that are leading the way, setting new standards 

and making a difference in the lives 

of older adults. These offerings target any 

or all of the seven dimensions of wellness— 

namely, physical, spiritual, intellectual, 

social, emotional, vocational and environmental 

wellness. ICAA supports professionals 

who develop wellness facilities, programs 

and services for adults ages 50 and over. 

Willamette Oaks Retirement Community 

is a complex of apartments for “people 

who love life,” according to its motto. 

Located alongside the Willamette River 

in Eugene, Oregon, the community 

“strives to provide a stimulating environment 

that offers meaningful opportunities 

for older adults to stay mentally, 

physically, and socially fit and engaged 

with life,” says former Programs and 

Events Coordinator Candy Davis. “Residents 

can choose <strong>from</strong> a daily menu of 

professionally led fitness classes—<strong>from</strong> 

tai chi and Hawaiian dance to weight 

lifting and fall recovery—as well as individual 

coaching in the use of modern 

exercise equipment.” They also socialize 

and interact through “resident-led 

parties, card games, films, discussions, 

meetings, holiday observances, and 

excursions.” 

In 2007, Davis expanded residents’ options 

with the launch of an African 

drumming circle. At the time, she was 

looking for avenues to incorporate all 

seven of the dimensions in ICAA’s wellness 

model (see above). “I happened 

to take an African drumming class and 

quickly realized it was a gold mine of opportunity,” 

Davis comments, so starting 

with four cardboard drums, she offered 

a class as an experiment. “It took a while 

to become the hottest thing on the circuit,” 

she says. “But I stuck with it, and 

the diligence paid off.” 

Recently, Davis left Willamette Oaks 

to form Primal Rhythms, a company 

that provides rhythm, drumming and 

sounding circles in a variety of settings, 

although she continues to facilitate the 

community’s drumming group. The 

Journal on Active Aging® recently asked 

Davis to tell us more about this program 

and what it involves. 

JAA: Please describe Willamette Oaks’ 

drumming circle for readers. 

CD: Once a week, the African Drumming 

Team, 25 strong, takes over the 

dining room and fills the air with beats 

<strong>from</strong> foreign lands. We are lucky to 

count among our number a few extended 

community members as well as Willamette 

Oaks staff members, who show 

up every week to learn and play with us. 

Our circle focuses on traditional favorites 

<strong>from</strong> West Africa, South Africa and 

Brazil, but we never turn up our noses at 

any catchy rhythm that presents itself. 

We usually open with a group jam. We 

then dive into a short exploration of the 

next new-to-us piece, which may consist 

of up to five drum parts played at the 

same time, and an accompanying song. 

Recently, we have added a modified African 

dance class to our circle to fold in 

yet another essential aspect of African 

music. The hour-and-a-half session finishes 

with a run through the repertoire 

of ensembles we’ve already mastered. 

And when we get going, we really make 

the dust rise! 

One of the most crucial parts of this 

group is community outreach, which 

has evolved into a form of what author 

Jean Huston terms social artistry. 1 Once 

or twice a month, we pack up our drums 

and go on the road. Our destination is 

usually a local school, where we invite 

the children, parents, teachers and staff 

to join us in experimenting with rhythm, 

creating community, and making a personal 

connection with our elders in a 

facilitated drum circle. Residents have 

learned to provide confident leadership 

for young people in a loud, chaotic and 

unpredictable environment full of laughter, 

surprise and movement. That’s good 

for promoting active aging at any stage 

of the life cycle. 

JAA: What does your drumming circle 

incorporate to offer participants meaningful 

experiences that promote wellness? 

CD: The biggest draw is the sociable 

nature of the group and its lack of gen- 



An African drumming circle promotes active aging at 

Willamette Oaks <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 61 

Willamette Oaks’ African Drumming Team welcomes students into the circle during visits to local schools. Recently, after receiving a 

cash award, the group voted unanimously to donate it to help fund a school’s struggling world music education program 

der discrimination. Both men and women 

feel equally welcome in our circle. 

Drumming is about paying close attention 

to other people without having to 

make conversation. We communicate instead 

through rhythm, facial expression, 

and gesture, the most universal and basic 

components of human interaction. Once 

we get all five rhythms of a “song” going 

at once, people find that they must not 

only concentrate on playing their own 

parts, but they also must watch and listen 

carefully to all the others to feel the 

satisfaction of experiencing themselves 

as part of an ensemble. As a result, their 

ability to pay attention for extended periods 

of time increases dramatically. 

We all recognize and crave that sense 

of working together to create a strong 

pattern that transcends our individual 

human frailty and fear. Being part of a 

62 

group of three assigned to hold down an 

important rhythm amid a whirl of sound 

allows people to make a significant contribution 

and encourages a heightened 

sense of worth. 

Drumming is great physical exercise, 

too. I incorporate practice in breathing, 

stretching, yoga, vocalization, smiling, 

and improved posture during each session. 

Drummers find that they quickly 

gain strength and coordination along 

with a positive awareness of their physical 

capabilities. By building special light 

drums and providing a variety of small 

percussion instruments, I also make it 

easy for people to participate regardless 

of any disability. 

The spiritual and emotional elements 

of drumming are clear. For that hour 

and a half, the intense concentration and 


interaction allow people to forget their 

worries while they immerse themselves 

in a taste of Africa. I’ve coached the 

group to express their emotions freely, 

and they have responded with a huge 

jump in self-confidence that affects 

other areas of their lives. My frequent 

reminders to smile, cheer loudly and 

breathe not only improve oxygen uptake 

in team members, but foster a positive 

self-image that they carry away with 

them. 

Those who have tried African drumming 

know what a “mind-melting” experience 

it can be to coordinate, remember and 

execute complex patterns that require a 

specific variety of movements. This exercise 

incorporates physical movement 

and intense intellectual engagement. 

In fact, drumming has been proven to 

increase brain plasticity. 2

Finally, the drummers find the instruments 

gorgeous and exciting to handle, 

which lifts people out of any settling 

gloom and makes them more aware of 

their environment. 

JAA: How did you introduce the African 

drumming circle to residents and staff of 

Willamette Oaks, and how was the program 

received? 

CD: I worked hard to make residents, 

management and staff aware of the seven 

dimensions of wellness as defined by 

ICAA. I talked up the benefits of any activity 

that was great exercise while being 

a huge amount of fun. “Anybody with a 

pulse can play a drum,” I told the community 

during the weekly Town Hall 

Meeting. I also showed them a colorful 

drum. The initial reception was tentative, 

but there were a few open-minded 

residents who I knew were willing to try 

anything. I contacted them personally to 

fan the flames. 

JAA: What did you do to build acceptance, 

interest and participation in your 

drumming circle? 

CD: I put the class on the fitness schedule. 

Four people showed up—a small 

group, but I was not discouraged. None 

of them had ever tried anything so 

strange, but they thought it was fun, and 

they kept showing up week after week. 

Despite joking that their brains were 

melting, the drummers got a kick out of 

learning the new rhythms, and they were 

amazed by the power of the sound they 

were able to produce. Word got around 

that intense learning like this builds 

brain structure and improves memory. 2 

Participants also started talking about 

drumming at dinner, and invited their 

friends. Before long, the group had 

grown too large for the space. 

I continued to advertise the connection 

between drumming and wellness, while 

our drum circle excursions made us famous 

in the local media. The drummers 

looked forward to our gigs and enthused 

about the group to other residents. We 

even developed a group handshake. It really 

took off <strong>from</strong> there. I still make the 

most of our recent successes, such as our 

2010 ICAA Innovators Award and our 

August 2011 first prize Best Senior Band 

award at the citywide Eugene Celebration 

Parade event. 

JAA: How do broader participation, 

school visits and guest instructors enrich 

the experience, in your view? 



An African drumming circle promotes active aging at 

Willamette Oaks <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 63 

‘We are fortunate to have a whole cadre of white-haired bass drummers with arms of 

steel, who keep the complex melodic line going on the big dununbas drums,’ says Candy 

Davis, who started Willamette Oaks’ drumming circle program in 2007 

CD: The residents’ emotional experience 

is validated when they see outsiders 

and staff express interest by making 

an effort to attend every week. Residents 

view drumming as a co-created environment 

that makes them feel powerful 

and “in the swing of life.” It’s great for 

staff cohesion, too. Staff can leave frustration 

and fatigue outside the circle, 

participating on an equal footing with 

each other and the residents. Often, staff 

with less drumming experience must 

learn new rhythms <strong>from</strong> the residents, 

who feel recognized for the knowledge 

they’ve gained. 

Most older adults crave meaningful participation 

with all age groups in a natural 

environment. Schools are the perfect 

venue for our visits. To see the school 

kitchen staff get out in the middle of the 

circle and boogie to our lively Samba 

gives residents a real kick. They often get 

up and join in, beckoning the students 

to jump in, too. 

64 

The guest instructors I’ve invited to Willamette 

Oaks are outstanding teachers 

in the world beat drumming and dance 

community. We have taken excursions to 

local concerts and events in which these 

well-known cultural artists appear, so 

when they come to lead a class, residents 

show their deep respect with rapt attention 

and impressive performance level. 

Such events also allow residents a close 

encounter with people of highly disparate 

cultures, languages and outlooks. 

JAA: What challenges have you encountered 

with your drumming circle, and how 

have you addressed them? 

CD: The biggest challenge has been 

convincing residents to try despite their 

fear of failure. Of course, the human 

brain likes to maintain self-identity at 

all costs, and for people with no musical 

training, it’s difficult to get past the 

“I can’t” circuitry. I’ve addressed this 

with personal contact, encouragement 


Facilitating a successful 

drumming circle in a 

retirement community 

setting: five key steps 

1. Acquaint management with the 

seven dimensions of wellness as 

defined by ICAA, if necessary. 

Demonstrate to the management 

team how rhythm events promote 

wellness by incorporating all seven 

aspects. 

2. Urge management to commit to 

actively supporting and encouraging 

participation in the drum 

circle by the entire community, 

including residents, staff, families 

and outside participants. 

3. Find a facilitator with the passion 

and skills to lead as well as provide 

structure for the group. 

4. Provide a wide variety of authentic 

instruments <strong>from</strong> around the 

world, allowing participants to 

choose those that best suit their 

physical abilities and social comfort 

level. 

5. Include public outreach through 

visiting cultural artists and community 

members, as well as 

rhythm encounters with people 

of all ages. 

and example. Teaching individuals a few 

basic techniques and rhythms opens the 

way for them to touch and experience 

the drum. I’ve also given people the opportunity 

to take an unobtrusive role 

until they feel safe enough to step into 

the limelight. 

Another big hurdle is the desire for perfection 

and the perception that “if I’m 

not already perfect at a task, I shouldn’t 

try.” Team drummers have worked hard 

to break down their own expectations 

of perfection and to develop “beginner’s

mind.” They have been able to translate 

that changed perception to other life 

situations with an understanding that 

they can develop expertise in any new 

endeavor if they give it some time and 

practice. Allaying unreasonable expectations 

of perfection is difficult for a facilitator. 

Offering starter rhythms and an 

array of small, easy-to-play percussion 

seems to help. 

In addition, I have been careful to reiterate 

<strong>from</strong> the beginning that we are not a 

performing group. Our purpose is social 

artistry—using our skills to create an 

avenue of communication and understanding 

that would otherwise not exist. 

We serve the community. Maintaining 

that definition goes a long way toward 

canceling any fear of failure. 

Stay 

‘in tune’ with 

successful 

aging 

JAA: Finally, how does the African drumming 

circle advance active aging and wellness 

at Willamette Oaks? 

CD: The team gets a great deal of satisfaction 

out of shooting down the 

concept of ageism by showing that older 

adults can not only master new and difficult 

skills, but also extend themselves 

to share that achievement with the surrounding 

community in a deeply meaningful 

way. Older adults are capable 

of innovation, focus and important 

contributions to society. We provide an 

encouraging example to other residents, 

as well as the world at large. 

The Journal on Active Aging thanks Candy 

Davis, of Primal Rhythms, for her help 

with this article. Davis can be reached 

by email at tricanis@willamette.net. For 

further information about Willamette 

Oaks Retirement Community, visit www. 

willametteoaks.com. 

[Ed. Discover more about the benefits 

of drumming circles and tips for getting 

started in Candy Davis’s article, “Who’s 

got rhythm? Drumming as a vehicle for 

wellness,” published in the January/February 

2011 issue of the Journal on Active 

Aging.] 

References 

1. Houston, J. What is social artistry? Retrieved 

<strong>from</strong> http://jeanhouston.org/Social-Artistry/ 

social-artistry.html. 

2. Medina, J. (2008). Brain Rules: 12 Principles 

for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and 

School. Seattle WA: Pear Press, p. 57. 

Images courtesy of Candy Davis 

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Conductorcise 1/2 p ad.indd 1 11-10-11 2:52 PM 


Physical wellness 

Activating 

older adults 

with ‘Nordic’ 

pole walking 

and exercise 

programs 

66 

For individuals of all ages and 

abilities, pole walking and 

exercise programs can be a 

‘gateway exercise’ to improve 

health and function 

by Tom Rutlin, BS 

Among the most basic of all human activities, 

walking is essential to maintaining 

functional independence as we age. However, 

declining confidence, muscle fitness 

and proprioception (which allows us to 

sense body position in space) can threaten 

our ability to walk safely and thus stay 

independent. “Nordic” pole walking and 

pole exercise programs offer simple, effective 

options for regular physical activity 

participation, promoting health, function 

and independence in older adults. 

Pole walking provides a total-body workout 

by combining fitness walking with 


In Rockford, Illinois, Nordic 

walking pioneer Tom Rutlin (at 

left, in black shirt) leads the Wesley 

Willows pole walking group on a 

Senior Health and Fitness Week 

walk 

cross-country skiing through the use 

of specially designed poles. This article 

relates what research projects at a senior 

living community reveal about the benefits 

of this activity for older adults. It also 

shares some experiences in pioneering 

programs along with pointers <strong>from</strong> the 

professionals who lead them. 

Pole walking research 

Peggy Buchanan was initially attracted 

to pole walking around 2004 because 

of her more than 20 years of work with 

older adults in fitness and the ongoing 

challenge of creating new programming

for this population. As director of fitness, 

aquatics and physical therapy at Vista del 

Monte active retirement community in 

Santa Barbara, California, and coordinator 

of vitality wellness programming 

for senior service agency Front Porch, 

Buchanan had also worked closely with 

physical therapists for many years. She 

saw the need for an effective alternative 

to walkers and canes. 

“Using traditional assistive walking devices 

can help individuals maintain their 

mobility, but I have seen balance decline 

with the use of traditional assistive de- 

vices over time,” says Buchanan. “The 

constant use of a cane and/or walker 

can actually contribute to more of a balance 

challenge, especially if the device 

is used to ‘lean on’ rather than stabilize 

and promote good posture. Maintaining 

vertical balance is no more than being 

able to keep the body’s center of gravity 

over its base of support,” she continues. 

“If you are constantly leaning to the side 

while using a cane, or forward while using 

a walker, you are actually training your 

body to be ‘off center,’ creating an even 

greater risk of falling when not using the 

device.” 

Buchanan’s central challenges, however, 

have always included finding and implementing 

physical activity programs that 

can successfully activate both motivated 

and “exercise-phobic” older adults. In 

her view, pole walking had the potential 

to do just that. She also hoped poles 

might provide a more beneficial and 

functional assist to walkers than traditional 

assistive walking devices. 

To find out, Buchanan conducted an 

eight-week pilot project at Vista del 



Activating older adults with ‘Nordic’ pole walking and 

exercise programs <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 67 

Sara Provenzano (third <strong>from</strong> left), now former wellness programs director at Wesley Willows, is pictured with her pole 

walking group at the Rockford, Illinois, retirement community. According to Provenzano, participation in the community’s 

pole walking programs ‘grew without promotion’ 

Monte that included 13 participants, 

average age 86 years, who had been using 

either a walker or cane. These individuals 

voluntarily traded in their conventional 

assistive devices for walking poles, and 

were soon marching together throughout 

the community. Buchanan noted almost 

immediate improvements in the posture 

and gait of all the former cane and walker 

users. Perhaps of even greater significance, 

“The subjects immediately shed 

a self-image of being an ‘invalid,’ and 

replaced it with that of being a ‘senior 

athlete’ in training,” she states. 

When other Vista del Monte residents 

witnessed these improvements in project 

participants, many individuals who 

were not dependent on canes or walkers 

68 

wanted to try the poles. Soon, Buchanan 

was able to partner with the kinesiology 

department at nearby Westmont College 

to conduct an additional research project 

to complement the pilot project. 

A further 30 participants walked three 

times per week for 12 weeks in the second 

project—approximately half with 

poles and half without. In contrast to 

the “ordinary” walkers, the pole walking 

group showed significant improvement 

in cardiovascular endurance, upperbody 

strength, and overall balance and 

confidence at the project’s conclusion, 

Buchanan notes. 

Among the pointers she offers about 

providing such programs in senior liv- 


ing communities, Buchanan stresses that 

“it is important to assess the stability 

of older adults prior to assuming they 

can have safe mobility with the poles. 

Less independent, lower-functioning 

individuals must develop the ability 

to stand and ambulate with the poles 

planted more vertically in front of them 

to provide four secure points of stability,” 

she says, “before they attempt to use 

the poles in a more traditional Nordic 

walking style.” 

To facilitate stability for individuals in 

need, Buchanan has designed programs 

of seated and standing exercises using 


measure 

what you 

manage 

Use the ICAA/ProMatura Wellness Benchmarks to 

measure your wellness program’s ROI. To plan for tomorrow, 

the national benchmarks will define the industry, and how 

your community can attain competitive positioning. 

It took over three years to develop the ICAA/ProMatura 

Wellness Benchmarks. Right now, retirement communities 

can join this industrywide effort to move wellness outcomes 

<strong>from</strong> isolated or anecdotal reports to solid numbers. 

Learn more at: 

www.icaa.cc/Management/benchmarks.htm

Activating older adults with ‘Nordic’ pole walking and 

exercise programs <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 68 

the poles to improve these participants’ 

range of motion, balance and body 

awareness prior to their walking with 

poles. Some examples appear in her sidebar, 

“Five ways to create thriving pole 

walking programs for older adults,” on 

<strong>page</strong> 71. 

Program experiences 

Paula Hader, wellbeing coordinator at 

Cedar Ridge Apartments and Cedar 

Lake Village Homes in West Bend, Wisconsin, 

introduced walking pole programs 

to her residents in April 2009 with 

an educational session and a kickoff 

walk. These programs quickly became 

popular with residents interested in improving 

mobility and posture, according 

to Hader. She soon added balance and 

stability classes modeled after those created 

by Peggy Buchanan (available on 

DVD <strong>from</strong> www.walkingpoles.com). 

Hader also began organizing regular 

outings on Cedar Ridge’s 50-acre setting 

and the Village’s 100 additional acres, as 

well as “mystery” walking trips to local 

area parks and to attractions (a program 

favorite). Today, regular pole walking 

70 


Join Tom Rutlin and Peggy Buchanan 

for a preconference workshop at the 

2011 <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active 

Aging Conference in Orlando, Florida. 

This workshop, “Creating ‘thriving’ 

Nordic walking and pole exercise 

programs,” will take place 9 a.m.– 

4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 

30, at the Orange County Convention 

Center. For details or to register, 

visit the “Conference” section of the 

ICAA website, www.icaa.cc, or call 

ICAA toll-free at 866-335-9777. 

outings take place <strong>from</strong> May through 

October, with pole stretching classes 

held in the wintertime. In addition, to 

support ongoing participation, Hader 

encourages residents to do their pole 

walking in the community’s hallways 

and parking garage when the Wisconsin 

temperatures drop during the winter 

months. 

Cheryl Bartholomew, director of fitness 

and lifestyle at The Jefferson, a Sunrise 

Senior Living Community in Arlington, 

Virginia, has used walking pole programs 

for the past four years. “I offer a 

pole walking class (called The Pacesetters) 

twice a week,” says Bartholomew. 

“The poles are also an integral part of my 

balance programs (basic and advanced) 

to build leg strength and develop core 

muscles, as well as tools for stretching 

effectively and safely.” 

Bartholomew recalls that “many residents 

were at first slow to embrace the 

concept of walking with poles, particularly 

our independent living residents, 

who did not use walkers and canes.” So 

she began classes with just two participants. 

“[We] decided to do our ‘warm-up 

exercises’ in our lobby (near the coffee 

machines),” she adds, “hoping that the 

exposure would entice reluctant residents 

to try them. Very soon our numbers 

and the popularity of the walking 

pole programs swelled.” 

A high-rise community, The Jefferson 

features twin towers, each 21 stories, 

boasting “long corridors that are ideal 

for pole walking,” Bartholomew notes. 

Similar to the Cedar communities, participants 

walk the corridors when the 

weather is not conducive to outdoor 

classes. Group members also climb the 

stairs to move up the towers (a technique 

Bartholomew learned at one of the 

author’s educational sessions), then take 

the elevators down. “Using the poles 

to walk up stairs is not appropriate for 

everyone,” she cautions, “but it can be a 

wonderful tool for many.” 


In nice weather, The Pacesetters walk in 

a nearby park lined with park benches, 

“which makes it easy for residents with 

varying endurance levels to stop and rest 

at their leisure,” Bartholomew continues. 

“Currently, my regular group is comprised 

of 12 residents,” she says. “However, 

throughout the years, many Jefferson 

Sunrise residents have purchased 

their own poles, so they have the ability 

to walk on their own schedules.” 

Building ‘buzz’ 

The very visible effects achieved by 

most pole walking and exercise programs, 

combined with the number of 

participants who integrate the use of 

poles into their activities of daily living, 

build “buzz” among older adults that 

helps these programs thrive. That buzz 

attracts growing numbers of participants 

to structured activities as well as to selfdirected 

social group activities and individual 

practice, as Bartholomew, Hader 

and other professionals have discovered. 

These opportunities encourage regular 

health-promoting physical activity, often 

with the bonus of social interaction, for 

both motivated and “exercise-phobic” 

older adults. 

Tom Rutlin, BS, founder and CEO of 

Exerstrider Products, is considered to be 

“the father of Nordic walking.” An architect 

by training, Rutlin has been a creative 

pioneer in delivering age-friendly Nordic 

walking poles, a variety of pole walking 

and exercise programs, and motivating 

presentations for people of all ages and 

abilities. The internationally recognized 

fitness innovator has focused on working 

with older-adult populations for nearly 

a decade. More information about 

Exerstrider training courses, products, 

research and resources is available at 

www.walkingpoles.com. 

Images courtesy of Tom Rutlin

Five ways to create thriving pole walking programs for older adults 

by Peggy Buchanan, MA 

Poles can be a versatile tool for creative 

exercise programming, in addition to being 

an effective alternative to traditional 

assistive walking devices. For those of 

you who aren’t familiar with the many 

wellness/fitness-building pole walking 

and exercise programs, here is a quick 

introduction to just a few, along with 

tips to ensure participant safety. 

1. Prequalify your participants. 

The following special populations with 

balance challenges and altered gait 

should begin using walking poles to improve 

stability before addressing mobility, 

and should always get the approval 

of their healthcare provider before 

beginning: 

• Less ambulatory older adults 

• Multiple sclerosis 

• Parkinson’s disease 

• Peripheral neuropathy 

• Stroke 

• Hip and knee replacement 

2. Follow (and share) a few important 

safety tips. 

• Never walk backwards using walking 

poles. 

• Always keep walking pole tips outside 

your stride path. 

• Avoid walking side-by-side in hallways 

and on narrow sidewalks. (You 

should always be a safe distance <strong>from</strong> 

others, both side-to-side and front-toback, 

when walking with poles.) 

• Always keep the poles in front of you, 

especially when walking up or down 

hills. 

3. Offer a simple introductory session. 

• Begin seated in an armless chair (chair 

arms will interfere with the range of 

motion of the activities). 

• While lightly gripping a walking 

pole in each hand, move legs and 

arms to the beat of the music, as if 

marching. 

• Vary the marching pattern <strong>from</strong> narrow 

to wide steps and pole plants, allowing 

for ample upper- and lower-extremity 

warm-up. This challenges coordination 

of the footwork and pole plant before 

standing. 

• Use the poles for stability and to aid 

the movement <strong>from</strong> sitting to standing, 

which adds both strengthening and 

balance components. 

• Hold the poles with hands in the center 

of the shafts parallel to the floor, 

then lift the poles overhead and lean 

<strong>from</strong> one side to the other to develop 

improved upper-body range of motion 

(ROM). 

4. Use poles for stretching and ROM 

programs. 

• Shoulders. Seated or standing, hold 

poles horizontal to the floor at shoulder 

level with arms bent at elbows. 

Slowly extend both arms overhead 

until arms are straight, bend elbows, 

lower poles behind head, then return 

to overhead. Bring poles down to chest 

height in front, return to overhead. 

Repeat by lowering poles behind head, 

overhead and down in front to chest. 

(Note: Move through only comfortable 

ROM.) 

• Neck and trunk rotation. Seated or 

standing, hold poles horizontal to the 

floor at shoulder level with arms bent 

at elbows. Slowly extend both arms 

overhead until arms are straight, bend 

elbows, then lower poles behind head. 

Gently rotate the torso, looking behind 

to the left and right for several slow 

repetitions. 

• Chest/shoulder ROM. Sit or stand tall 

with shoulders relaxed, abdominals 

contracted, and arms held straight out 

to the sides parallel to the floor. Place 

both poles perpendicular to the floor 

and press down on them as you lean 

slightly forward. Stretch to one side 

then the other by moving both poles 

to the left and then the right while 

leaning toward the poles at the side. 

• Hamstring stretch. Sit or stand, one leg 

extended and ankle flexed, with poles 

planted in front of the body. Lean 

forward gently. Repeat several times 

with each leg. 

• Side stretch. Stand sideways against 

a wall and hold poles in the outside 

hand. Cross the leg nearest the wall 

in front of the other leg as you take 

the hand holding the poles and reach 

across the body toward the wall. 

5. Spice things up with a “pole 

dancing” class. 

• Begin by addressing the proper 

height, posture and operation while 

using poles. 

• Play music with a beat that is easy to 

follow, walking around the room for 

a warm-up. 

• Address basic balance concepts while 

moving to music in a class lasting 

30–45 minutes. 

• Focus a portion of the class on learning 

some simple dance steps and creating 

a performance routine. 

• End with a relaxation stretch segment 

for the finale. 

• Have plenty of chairs on the sidelines 

for those who need to sit out a few 

routines and take a break. 

Peggy Buchanan, MA, is the director of fitness, 

aquatics and physical therapy at Vista 

del Monte active retirement community 

in Santa Barbara, California. Buchanan 

is also coordinator of the vitality wellness 

programming for Front Porch, a leading 

nonprofit senior service agency in southern 

California. She was named IDEA’s <strong>International</strong> 

Fitness Instructor of the Year in 

1997 and <strong>International</strong> Program Director 

of the Year in 2002. Buchanan was also a 

member of the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on 

Active Aging Visioning Board, which recently 

completed its term. 


Splash! 

Catch a current 

for shallow wave 

cardio-resistance training 

Participants can meet 

training objectives for 

cardiorespiratory training 

through shallow water 

exercise. Learn more about 

the impact of shallow water 

activity and gain a <strong>page</strong>-topool 

lesson plan for a cardioresistance 

workout 

by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP 

When I first met Sandy, a 63-year-old 

retired woman, she weighed 285 lbs. and 

measured 50.7 % body fat. She also had a 

history of significant chronic knee pain. 

In fact, she was unable to perform any 

chair stands as a result of this pain. After 

Sandy completed all her physical therapy 

sessions, her healthcare providers told 

her there was nothing more they could 

do to help. 

Describing her exercise level as sedentary, 

Sandy said she was motivated to 

increase her physical activity, yet was 

unsure about what to do as a safe and 

comfortable choice. She loved the water, 

but didn’t know how to swim well 

enough to do laps for exercise. Sandy 

was curious to learn more about exercise 

performed in shallow water. 

Exploring the impact of 

shallow-water exercise 

Water is a safe exercise environment for 

people who have joint pain, like Sandy. 

Exercise in the pool has less weightbearing 

impact than land-based activity 

due to water’s buoyancy, but the lowerbody 

impact varies with depth, exercise 

type and speed. Weight bearing is about 

35% for women and about 28% for men 

standing in water measured at the xiphoid 

level (the pointed area of cartilage 

at the lower end of the breastbone). 

Walking or jogging through the pool 

increases weight bearing to 25–75% of 

land impact depending on water depth 

and individual differences (e.g., weight, 

body composition). 1 Participants should 

find a depth where the lower-body impact 

is comfortable. 

For healthy adults, the American College 

of Sports Medicine 2 (ACSM) recommends 

a minimal intensity of 40% 

V0 2 max (or maximal oxygen consump- 


Catch a current for shallow wave cardio-resistance 

training <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 72 

tion) during cardiovascular exercise. 

To determine the effect of performing 

exercise in shallow water, Rafaelli et al. 3 

measured the cardiorespiratory response 

by a small group of young women to 

some popular exercises performed at 

different speeds. Participants performed 

3 basic moves in place: jumping jax, 

scissors (or cross-country move), and 

jogging with high knees at a set speed of 

130–140 beats per minute (bpm). Investigators 

found that the women achieved 

an intensity of 43–54% V0 2 max (moderate 

exertion). This level met ACSM 

guidelines for maintaining cardiorespiratory 

health. 

When participants kicked their legs 

forwards or performed alternating kicks 

side-to-side, investigators found that 

speeds ranging <strong>from</strong> 110 to 130 bpm 

resulted in an intensity of 40–59% V0 2 

max (moderate exertion). At faster 

speeds of 130–140 bpm, intensity was 

measured at 60–80% V0 2 max (hard 

exertion). Kicking at any of the speeds 

resulted in cardiovascular overload sufficient 

to provide a health and training 

effect. 

In a study by Masumoto et al., 4 walking 

backwards in shallow water against a 

current resulted in higher activation of 

thigh, shin and back muscles (quadriceps, 

tibilias anterior and erector spinae) 

than walking forwards. Backwards walking 

also resulted in higher cardiovascular 

intensities. So one way for participants 

to challenge both cardio and muscular 

endurance in shallow water is to “hit 

reverse.” In addition, McCardle et al. 5 

found that running forwards in shallow 

water, wearing shoes for traction, and 

working at maximal effort compared to 

marathon running at a pace of 8.5 miles 

per hour, with an estimated 17 kilocalorie 

cost per minute. 

Finally, the force of water’s buoyancy 

against the body increases as the arms 

and legs move toward the surface and/ 

or when the range of motion increases. 1 

74 

This means that participants can increase 

intensity by enlarging the size of 

a movement (range of motion) and by 

pushing downwards to resist buoyancy’s 

upwards force. They can also individualize 

intensity by finding a comfortable 

speed and range of motion. This intensity 

should meet training objectives for 

cardiorespiratory training at a light to 

moderate or greater intensity for both 

cardio and muscular endurance. 6,7 

This “Splash!” article includes a <strong>page</strong>to-pool 

lesson plan on <strong>page</strong>s 78–83 for 

a cardio-resistance workout in shallow 

water. The workout incorporates a cueing 

system that was introduced in the 

last “Splash!” article (“Dive into the 

deep for head-to-toe resistance training,” 

Journal on Active Aging®, January/ 

February 2011). The section below provides 

a refresher. 

The S.W.E.A.T. System: a 

simple framework for cueing 

In the shallow water workout that follows, 

we’ll use 6 basic movements and 

apply variations using The S.W.E.A.T. 

System. 7 S.W.E.A.T. engages the liquid 

resistance of water though the application 

of a simple method that creates 

movement variation, intensity and 

movement complexity progression, 

and as a way to create muscle balance 

during an exercise. (More information 

about S.W.E.A.T. can be found in the 

text YMCA Water Fitness for Health; see 

“References” on <strong>page</strong> 76 for publication 

details.) 

Shallow water is about chest deep. At 

this depth, a person can control movement 

against the water’s buoyancy. We’ll 

use flat scull and scoop scull strokes to 

maintain posture and to keep participants’ 

feet grounded as the base of support. 

Basic moves include: Walk, Jog, 

Rock, Kick, Jump, Scissors. During the 

workout, we’ll start with these moves 

and apply variables to change up intensity, 

muscle use, pattern, range of motion 

and movement around the pool. 


In the workout notes, the acronym 

S.W.E.A.T. and the meaning of each letter 

serve as shorthand for cueing variations. 

Here’s a quick review: 

S. = Speed and Surface area of 

arms, legs and body 

W. = Working positions of the body 

(rebound, neutral, extended, 

suspended) 

E. = Enlarge the range of motion 

A. = Working the arms and legs 

Around the body by changing 

their planes around a joint; 

planes include front and back, 

sideways and diagonal 

T. = Travel the body forwards, 

backwards, sideways and diagonally 

through water 

Each variation should be performed for 

at least 8 repetitions to feel the water’s 

currents working against the body. 

S.W.E.A.T. shallow water cues 

Now we’ve refreshed our understanding 

of the S.W.E.A.T. formula, let’s turn our 

attention to how to apply the system. 

This section explains ways to use the 

cues to modify movements. 

Use the “S” in the formula for speed 

and surface area variations. Start slow 

and ask participants to increase speed 

(using their own pace) for challenge. 

Simple changes in body position (e.g., 

toes pointed or feet flexed) can change 

the surface area being pulled or pushed, 

which affects intensity. Add power and 

speed to further increase intensity. 

Use the “W” to change muscle groups 

and intensity. Vary basic moves through 

the working positions described below: 

• Rebound is a powerful push upwards. 

Flex the lower body and extend for 

maximal range of motion. Use a flat 

scull for stability and a scoop scull to 

assist with grounding the feet. 


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Catch a current for shallow wave cardio-resistance 

training <strong>Continued</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>page</strong> 74 

• Neutral submerges the chest underwater 

and partially unloads the body. 

Feet should tap and lift or slide along 

the pool’s bottom. Flat scull for 

stability. 

• Extended works the body in neutral 

alignment, with ears, shoulders, hips 

aligned and feet grounded on the bottom. 

Flat scull for balance. 

• Suspended means fully buoyant with 

feet off the bottom of the pool. Scull 

for lift and stability. 

Participants can use a paddle to enlarge 

the surface area of a movement 

Use the “E” to maximize muscle use 

through full range of motion. Enlarge 

the size and surface area of the movement 

to increase intensity. Adjust the 

body’s surface area moving through the 

water by changing the shape of the body 

(e.g., arms behind the back); increase 

range of motion; or add a surface area 

device like a paddle. 

Use the “A” in the formula to keep 

“fresh” muscles engaged. Due to increased 

water resistance, muscles will 

fatigue if they aren’t changed frequently 

enough to prevent local fatigue. Changing 

planes also challenges core stabilizers. 

Use the “T” in the formula to increase 

resistance and drag. Travel through 

76 

water creates more challenge by fully 

engaging the properties of water. 

It’s important to monitor and regulate 

intensity to ensure safety during a workout. 

Have participants use the “Talk 

Test” to monitor how hard they are 

working (individuals should be able to 

speak a sentence without gasping) and 

apply the “4 S’s” to individualize effort. 

(The cueing tips on <strong>page</strong> 78 briefly describe 

the 4 S’s. Read more about how to 

apply these tools in the “Dive into the 

deep” article mentioned above.) 

With S.W.E.A.T. and the 4 S’s, participants 

have the tools to customize the 

shallow water workout to effectively 

challenge their individual fitness levels 

and reach their goals over time. 

12-week Splash impact 

Remember Sandy? She decided to embrace 

shallow water exercise, attending 

classes 3 days per week for 12 weeks. 

She also adopted an eating plan that put 

her body into energy balance for weight 

loss. After 12 weeks, Sandy weighed 263 

lbs. (-21 lbs., or 6.1%), her body fat had 

decreased 1.4% (to 49.3%), and she was 

able to perform 11 chair stands in 30 

seconds (+11). Her knee pain and mobility 

had improved as well, making her 

want to be more active during the day. 

Sandy says she now “feels good in her 

skin.” She intends to stay in the pool for 

exercise, she adds, so she can do more on 

land moving forward. 

Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP, is 

an associate professor in the Department of 

Internal Medicine’s Division of Medical Nutrition 

in the School of Medicine at the University 

of Nevada, Reno. An <strong>International</strong> 

<strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® Advisory Board 

Member, Sanders is also the director of WaterFit/Wave 

Aerobics® and Golden Waves®. 

She can be reached at www.waterfit.com. 

[Ed. Good nutrition is important not 

only to energy balance, but also to refu- 


eling the body after exercise. Learn more 

in the handout, “The formula for recovery: 

nutrient timing,” on <strong>page</strong> 77.] 

References 

1. Brody, L. T., & Richley Geigle, P. (Ed). (2009). 

Aquatic Exercise for Rehabilitation and Training. 

Champaign IL: Human Kinetics. 

2. American College of Sports Medicine. (2010). 

ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and 

Prescription (8th edition). Baltimore MD: Lippincott, 

Williams and Wilkins. 

3. Raffaelli, C., et al. (2010). Exercise intensity of 

head-out water-based activities (water fitness). 

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 109(5), 

829–8<strong>38</strong>. 

4. Masumoto, K., et al. (2007). Age-related differences 

in muscle activity, stride frequency and 

heart rate response during walking in water. 

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 

17(5), 596–604. 

5. McArdle, W., et al. (1999). Sports and Exercise 

Nutrition, Chapter 13, p. 447, Energy Balance, 

Exercise and Weight Control. Philadelphia PA: 

Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. 

6. Colado, J. C., & Triplett, T. N. (2009). Monitoring 

the intensity of aquatic resistance exercises 

with devices that increase drag force: an update. 

Strength and Conditioning Journal, 31(3), 

94–100. 

7. Sanders, M. E. (Ed., coauthor). (2000). YMCA 

Water Fitness for Health. Champaign IL: Human 

Kinetics. 

Acknowledgements 

Thanks to models Doug Whitehill and 

Mary Curry. 

Photos by Tracy Frankel, courtesy of 

WaterFit 

<strong>Continued</strong> with workout on <strong>page</strong> 78

y Stacey Frattinger, BA, BS, RD, CHFS 

At any age, athletic performance and recovery <strong>from</strong> 

exercise are enhanced by good nutrition. According 

to registered dietitian Nancy Clark, research suggests 

that the nutritional needs of older athletes are not 

much different <strong>from</strong> those of younger athletes when 

refueling the body for restoration and repair. Recovery 

nutrition goals include: replenishing fluid and 

electrolytes (sodium and potassium), replacing muscle 

fuel in the form of carbohydrates (e.g., grains), providing 

protein to help repair damaged muscle tissue 

and stimulate development of new tissue, and timing 

meals and snacks to make the most of the hard work 

you’ve just completed. Let’s examine each of these topics 

in more detail: 

• Fluids. As you age, you lose sensitivity to thirst. 

Your cells need fluid to function, making it critical 

to replenish fluid lost through a workout. Dehydration 

may lead to increased fatigue, decreased performance, 

and muscle cramps before, during and 

after exercise. Drink approximately 8–10 ounces 

of water during a workout, as well prior to and following 

exercise, to help prevent dehydration. Sports 

drinks are necessary only for moderate to high intensity 

activities lasting more than 60 minutes. 

• Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the most important 

source of energy for higher intensity or 

longer duration physical activity. It is necessary to 

replenish the glycogen (stored sugar in your liver 

and muscles) used to fuel your exercise session. 

Carbohydrate-rich foods, with the appropriate 

amount of fluid, transport fuel to your muscles 

more quickly. To help speed up your recovery after 

intense exercise, include complex carbohydrates, 

such as brown rice, oatmeal or oat bran cereal, and 

whole grain breads, bagels or English muffins. 

• Protein. By including protein with at least two 

meals a day, you are likely taking in enough protein 

to build, repair and protect your muscles. Adequate 

protein before exercise may also help to reduce 

post-exercise muscle soreness. Red meat, poultry, 

fish and low-fat dairy products are good sources of 

protein. For vegetarian diets, beans, nuts and soy 

can be used to increase protein intake. 

• Nutrient timing. Ideally, you should be eating 

anywhere <strong>from</strong> 15 to 60 minutes after your 

workout. You don’t need to refuel your body with 

a large number of calories. Examples of appropriate 

snacks, which include sources of protein and 

carbohydrate mentioned above, are: Greek yogurt 

topped with blueberries, a sliced apple with peanut 

butter or string cheese, cottage cheese with pineapple 

slices, or finger vegetables with a side of 

hummus. 

• Vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables help 

to ensure you are meeting your daily nutritional 

requirements. Including a “rainbow” of fruits and 

vegetables in your diet supplies your body naturally 

with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (think 

berries, winter squash, broccoli, tomatoes, beets 

and cauliflower). Although there is no harm in taking 

a multivitamin, a healthy, balanced diet should 

cover your vitamin and mineral needs without the 

addition of a supplement. 

Proper nutrition is also important on your “rest” days. 

Consider your break <strong>from</strong> exercise as the perfect opportunity 

to nourish your body with a well-balanced 

diet. Your body will thank you during your next bout 

of physical activity with increased strength and 

endurance. 

This information is adapted <strong>from</strong> Stacey Frattinger’s 

FUEL nutrition newsletter. Frattinger received her 

BA in psychology and BS in clinical dietetics <strong>from</strong> the 

University of Nevada, Reno. She possesses a certificate of 

Specialized Training in Adult Weight Management <strong>from</strong> 

the American Dietetic Association. In addition, she is a 

Certified Health Fitness Specialist through the American 

College of Sports Medicine. For the last 10 years, Frattinger 

has practiced as a clinical dietitian and nutrition 

counselor, with an emphasis on weight loss and diabetes 

management. 

Provided as a free service by the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on 

Active Aging, www.icaa.cc, to promote older-adult wellness. 

Reproduce exactly as printed. Please credit ICAA 

and Stacey Frattinger. 

Your logo here 

www.icaa.cc 

Client handout The formula for recovery: nutrient timing

Splash! Shallow wave cardio-resistance workout 

The lesson plan below outlines a fullbody 

cardio-resistance workout using 

The S.W.E.A.T. System of cueing to create 

movement variation, intensity and 

complexity progression. This <strong>page</strong>-to-pool 

resource is geared to experienced water 

exercise professionals and assumes knowledge 

of basic movements. An archive of 

“Splash!” articles is available for reference 

in the members only section of the <strong>International</strong> 

<strong>Council</strong> on Active Aging® website, 

www.icaa.cc. 

Get ready 

Workout equipment 

Use webbed gloves for stabilization and 

water shoes for traction. 

Pre-class 

Screen individuals for water comfort 

and check their recover to a stand and 

personal safety skills. Participants 

should be able to move easily <strong>from</strong> a 

float position on the surface to a standing 

extended position. 

78 

Cues guide 


the move 

W. = Working positions 

(rebound, neutral, 

extended, suspended) 


A. = Work arms and legs Around 

the body and joints by 

changing planes 

T. = Travel forwards, backwards, 

sideways and diagonally 

Neutral posture 

Finally, find a working depth (navel to 

chest) and check neutral posture (ears, 

shoulders, hips lined up). 

Cardio + resistance interval cueing tips 

• Allow time for participants to work 

each move for about 30–60 seconds 

(8–15 repetitions) for each variation 

in S.W.E.A.T. 

• Mix up the components of S.W.E.A.T. 

for basic moves by cueing in a different 

order (i.e., a jog can be varied 

as E.A.W.T.S.) to create fresh 

combinations. 

• During muscular exercises, submerge 

the working joints and sequence exercises 

to provide time for joint recovery. 

In this workout, we’ll alternate 

both muscular and cardio exercises 

and shoulder- and elbow-loaded muscular 

sets. 

• Encourage individuals to work at a 

challenging pace by cueing effort using 

verbal cues such as “speed up, go 

hard, slow down, go easy” without 

counting or setting a beat. 

• Work water’s resistance machine 

as cardio intervals: Stabilize a basic 

move or variation, then gear up intensity 

(change speed or surface, enlarge, 

travel), work at high or maximal effort 

for 15–30–60 seconds, then flow 

into recovery by gearing intensity 

down using the “4 S’s” (Slow speed, 

make the move Smaller, Stabilize, 


and Substitute with a new move or 

variation). 

Get started 

Set 1: Buoyancy warm-up (4 minutes) 

Walk 

Cues: S.E.A.T. 

i. 

ii. 

a. Walk, toes up, heels strike first, then 

push forwards or backwards for propulsion 

(i). Push and pull with arms to assist 

travel (ii).

iii. 

iv. 

b. Enlarge stride (iii). Speed up, then 

slow to change. Work around the body, 

walking sideways or diagonally (iv). 

Set 2: Cardio (3 minutes) 

Jog 

Cues: S.W.E.A.T. 

i. 

ii. 

a. Stabilize with a flat scull. Jog with toes 

pointed and gradually enlarge, speed up, 

then slow down. Stabilize and change 

the surface area, toes flexed (i), then 

speed up. Work around the body, heels 

up in back (ii), then to the side. 

iii. 

iv. 

v. 

b. Jog in the rebound working position 

(iii), slow to change to neutral and then 

suspended (without touching the pool’s 

bottom) (iv). Finally, travel the jog 

forwards, backwards, sideways and 

diagonally (v). 





Set 3: Muscular endurance 

Posterior Deltoids (8–15 repetitions, 

1–3 sets) 

Cues: S.W.T. 

i. 

80 

Cues guide 


the move 











ii. 

Stabilize using a lunge or jog for light 

cardio. Submerge shoulders. Palms down 

or up, power pull arms <strong>from</strong> front to 

back (shoulder extension) (i, ii). Relax. 

Recover to start position, slicing and 

floating hands forwards. Relax shoulders. 

Vary intensity: Speed up, add surface 

(paddle), power down during a rebound 

jump, or travel backwards (jump 

back) to increase intensity. 


Rock 


i. 

ii. 

a. Stabilize with flat scull, rock sideways 

(start small) (i, ii). Enlarge, then speed 

up. Slow down, enlarge and go rebound. 

iii. 

b. Make the move smaller, slower, and 

work around the body, rocking forwards 

and back (iii). Enlarge, and travel forwards, 

backwards and diagonally.


Triceps (8–15 repetitions, 1–3 sets) 

Cues: S.W.T. 

i. 

ii. 

Stabilize using a lunge or jog for light 

cardio. Submerge shoulders. Palms up, 

power forearms in a backwards motion 

(elbow extension) (i, ii). Recover to start 

position by slicing and floating hands to 

start position. Vary intensity: Speed up, 

add surface (paddle), power down during 

a rebound jump, or travel backwards 

(jog backwards) to increase intensity. 

Knees to chest, go suspended and power 

push your buoyant body forwards. 


Kick 


i. 

a. Stabilize with a flat scull, then kick 

forward (i). Speed up, slow down, enlarge 

the move, and change the working 

position (rebound, neutral, suspended). 

Slow down and go extended to travel 

forwards and backwards, then change 

speed. 

ii. 

iii. 

b. Slow down and work around the 

body, kick side-to-side and flat scull to 

stabilize (ii). Enlarge, slow down and 

kick backwards, stabilizing with hands 

in front (tabletop flat scull) (iii), then 

travel forwards and backwards. 


Trapezius (8–15 repetitions, 1–3 sets) 

Cues: S.T. 

i. 

ii. 

Stabilize using a lunge or rock for light 

cardio. Submerge shoulders. Thumbs up, 

power arms backwards (squeeze shoulder 

blades) (i, ii), then slice and float 

arms to start position. Vary intensity: 

Speed up power phase and rock, traveling 

backwards to increase intensity. 






Scissors 


i. 

ii. 

82 

Cues guide 


the move 











iii. 

a. Move arms and legs in opposition, 

pushing and pulling to stabilize (i, ii). 

Enlarge, then speed up and change the 

working positions (rebound, neutral, 

suspended) (iii). Change speeds and 

surface (toes up and pointed) at each 

position. 

iv. 

v. 

b. Go extended to travel forwards, backwards 

and sideways. Work around the 

body (on diagonal [iv] and jax [v]), then 

speed up and slow down. Change the 

working position, enlarge, and travel. 

Set 9: Cardio-resistance 

Core Jumps (8–15 repetitions, 

1–3 sets), Jump & Clap 


i. 

ii. 

a. Jump with flat scull for stabilization 

(i). Increase cardio and core work intensity, 

hands above the surface (ii). Check 

ears and shoulders aligned; no leaning.

iii. 

iv. 

b. With a buddy, clap hands (straight 

planes) (iii), then work around the body 

with diagonal planes as you jump (iv). 

Travel and clap as a team, forwards and 

backwards. Check alignment. 

Set 10: Warm down stretches 

(4 minutes) 

Stretch each muscle group for about 20 

seconds, repeat 1–3 times. 

a. Drag Stretch 

Take a ride on your buddy’s shoulders. 

Reach and feel the stretch <strong>from</strong> shoulders 

to toes. 

b. Chest Stretch 

Drag your arm as you walk a circle. 

Feel a chest stretch. 

c. Quad Stretch 

Go suspended and scull for lift as you 

cross ankle to knee. Press with the foot 

on the knee to feel the quad stretch. 

d. Water Falls 

Raise one arm overhead, stretch tall, and 

then let your hip lead in a fall sideways. 

Tuck feet under and recover to a stand. 

Repeat both sides. 


Join Mary Sanders and Yoko Holcombe, 

along with special guest David 

Dworkin of Conductorcise, for a 

preconference aquatic workshop at 

the 2011 <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on 

Active Aging Conference in Orlando, 

Florida. “Splash! Off your feet and 

into the deep: deep water exercise as 

a symphony of movements” will take 

place 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, 

November 30. For details or to register, 

visit the “Conference” section of 

the ICAA website, www.icaa.cc, or 

call ICAA toll-free at 866-335-9777. 


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introduce effective treatment options for a 

broader range of patients and conditions. 

Active Aging and Wellness, LLC 

3616 Deer Oak Circle 

Oviedo FL 32766 

Tel: 407-765-2420 

activeagingllc@gmail.com 

www.activeagingandwellness.com 

Trackmaster is owned/operated by the 

original founding family. We adhere to the 

principles of quality and service that have 

guided us for over 33 years. We are here to 

serve our clients and deliver quality. 

AlterG, Inc. 

484<strong>38</strong> Milmont Drive 

Fremont CA 945<strong>38</strong> 

Toll-free: 888-WALK-ON-AIR 

Tel: 510-270-5900 

Fax: 510-490-1164 

info@alter-g.com 

www.alter-g.com 

With its revolutionary unweighting technology, 

the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill 

is reenergizing rehabilitation. Individuals 

gain a tool to help recover <strong>from</strong> surgery 

and injury faster, with less pain, and work 

toward regaining function. 

American <strong>Council</strong> on Exercise (ACE) 

4851 Paramount Drive 

San Diego CA 92123 

Toll-free: 800-825-3636 

Tel: 858-576-6500 

Fax: 858-279-8064 

nationalaccounts@acefitness.org 

www.acefitness.org

RRED VENDORS 

The American <strong>Council</strong> on Exercise (ACE) 

is a nonprofit organization dedicated to 

promoting the benefits of physical activity 

and protecting consumers against unsafe 

and ineffective fitness products and 

instruction. 

BalanceGym, LLC 

990 17th Avenue South 

Naples FL 34102 

Toll-free: 888-522-2496 

Fax: 888-670-6791 

info@thebalancegym.com 

www.thebalancegym.com 

The BalanceGym Exercise and Rehabilitation 

Station is designed to provide standing 

support for people engaged in group or 

individual weight-bearing exercise, stretching 

and rehabilitation programs. 

Ball Dynamics <strong>International</strong>, LLC 

14215 Mead Street 

Longmont CO 80504 

Toll-free: 800-752-2255 

Tel: 970-535-9090 

Fax: 877-223-2962 

orders@fitball.com 

www.fitball.com 

The FitBALL Active Aging product line 

includes professional-quality tools for 

strengthening all major muscle groups 

including core and pelvic floor muscles. 

The FitBALL Active Aging category also 

focuses on balance training, flexibility, and 

Active Sitting. 

Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. 

20 Ramsay Road 

Shirley New York 11967 

Toll-free: 800-224-6339 

Tel: 631-924-9000 

Fax: 631-924-93<strong>38</strong> 

info@biodex.com 

www.biodex.com 

Biodex Medical Systems, a long-time proponent 

for active aging, offers equipment 

and programs created with older adults in 

mind. The Balance System SD and BioStep 

improve mobility with strength, endurance 

and balance exercise. 

Conductorcise, LLC 

PO Box 248 

Bedford Hills NY 10507 

Tel: 914-244-<strong>38</strong>03 

Fax: 914-244-<strong>38</strong>78 

info@conductorcise.com 

www.conductorcise.com 

Conductorcise is joyous physical exercise 

that uses the magic of classical music to 

prompt brain and physical stimulation, 

engagement and cardio. A flexible, fun way 

to improve mind and body. 

Dial Corporation, A Henkel Company 

19001 North Scottsdale Road 

Scottsdale AZ 85255 

Toll-free: 800-253-3425 

Tel: 480-754-6567 

Fax: 480-754-2658 (attn.: John Dolbeck) 

john.dolbeck@henkel.com 

www.dialprofessional.com 

For years, facilities have known and trusted 

the Dial brand, understanding the importance 

of good hygiene. Products are 

carefully researched for effectiveness and 

gentleness, and backed by the Dial name. 

DINOFLEX Group, LP 

PO Box 3309, 5590 46th Avenue SE 

Salmon Arm BC V1E 4S1 Canada 

Toll-free: 877-713-1899 

Tel: 250-832-7780 

Fax: 250-832-7788 

dinoflex@dinoflex.com 

www.dinoflex.com 

DINOFLEX manufactures recycled rubber 

indoor flooring and outdoor surfacing 

products designed for gyms, libraries, 

decks, patios, walkways, and many other 

applications. 

Dynamic Wellness Solutions, Inc. 

75 First Street, Suite 243 

Orangeville ON L9W 5B6 Canada 

Toll-free: 888-600-4966 

Tel: 416-809-1294 

Fax: 866-202-0862 

info@dynamicwellness.us 

www.dynamicwellness.us 

Dynamic Wellness Solutions provides 

products and services designed to meet the 

needs of the aging population. Our first 

priority is to assist the customer in choosing 

the right products for their clientele 

and their facility. 

Dynatronics Corporation 

7030 Park Centre Drive 

Salt Lake City UT 84121 

Toll-free: 800-874-6251 

Tel: 801-568-7000 

Fax: 801-676-7279 

info@dynatron.com 

www.dynatronics.com 



Dynatronics manufactures and distributes 

advanced-technology medical devices, 

treatment tables, rehabilitation and fitness 

equipment, and over 8,000 products and 

supplies. Dynatronics can customize furniture, 

installation, and setup while providing 

all of your equipment and supply needs. 

Emergency Skills, Inc. 

350 Seventh Avenue, Suite 505 

New York NY 10001 

Tel: 212-564-6833 

Fax: 212-564-6793 

sarahg@emergencyskills.com 

www.emergencyskills.com/AED-Sales- 

CPR-Training.html 

Founded in 1977, Emergency Skills, Inc., 

offers a comprehensive solution to medical 

emergencies with Automated External 

Defibrillator (AED) Programs, including 

Philips Heartstart Defibrillators, American 

Heart Association Training, Municipal 

Compliance and E-tracking for supplies 

and trainees. 

Endless Pools, Inc. 

1601 Dutton Mill Road 

Aston PA 19014 

Toll-free: 800-233-0741 

Tel: 610-497-8676 

Fax: 610-497-9328 

commercial@endlesspools.com 

www.endlesspools.com/commercial 

Endless Pools’ success results <strong>from</strong> our 

commitment to customer satisfaction. 

With over 100 qualified architects, designers, 

engineers and customer service professionals, 

we will help you plan, install and 

maintain the perfect pool for your needs. 

86 

Exerbotics, LLC 

PO Box 521125 

Tulsa OK 74152 

Toll-free: 800-870-6933 

Fax: 800-985-9608 

sales@exerbotics.com 

www.exerbotics.com 

Exerbotics aims to advance the science of 

strength training and muscle rehabilitation. 

Our isokinetic technology enables both 

concentric and eccentric training, safely 

eliminating the use of weight stacks or free 

weights for skeletal muscle development. 

Exerstrider Products, Inc. 

PO Box 3087 

Madison WI 53704 

Toll-free: 888-285-7392 

Tel: 608-223-9321 

Fax: 608-223-9320 

customerservice@exerstrider.com 

www.exerstrider.com 

Developed by pole walking pioneer and 

fitness authority Tom Rutlin, Exerstrider 

fitness walking poles allow walkers of any 

age or ability to turn walking into a total 

fitness/total body exercise. 

Foot Solutions, Inc. 

2359 Windy Hill Road, Suite 400 

Marietta GA 30067 


Tel: 888-FIT-FOOT (348-3668) 

(National Store Locator) 

Fax: 770-953-6270 

contact@footsolutions.com 

www.footsolutions.com 


ICAA PREFE 

Foot problems become common with age. 

Foot Solution’s Custom Inserts, Comfort 

Footwear, and Balance Walking program 

will support your clients’ active lifestyle. 

Foot Solutions—for better health through 

your feet. 

FreeMotion Fitness 

1500 South 1000 West 

Logan UT 84321 

Toll-free: 877-363-8449 

Tel: 435-786-2900 

Fax: 866-819-3428 

sales@freemotionfitness.com 


FreeMotion Fitness offers solutions with 

FreeMotion, a full circuit of integrated 

functional training equipment, FreeMotion 

Cardio and FreeMotion EPIC equipment. 

FreeMotion Fitness also provides studio 

solutions with Studios Made Simple. 

GE Healthcare Lunar 

3030 Ohmeda Drive 

Madison WI 53718 

Toll-free: 888-795-8627 

Tel: 608-221-1551 

Fax: 608-223-2482 

christopher.motika@ge.com 

www.gehealthcare.com 

GE Healthcare Lunar is dedicated to developing 

some of the most productive and 

accurate body composition and bone density 

assessment systems that are convenient, 

portable, and easy to use. 

Greenfields Outdoor Fitness, Inc. 

2625 South Orange Avenue 

Santa Ana CA 92707 

Toll-free: 888-315-9037 

Tel: 310-662-3226 

Fax: 866-308-9719 

info@greenfieldsfitness.com 

www.greenfieldsfitness.com

RRED VENDORS 

By providing distinctive and well-planned 

outdoor fitness settings that are accessible 

for active older adults, Greenfields offers 

several levels of activities that are both 

physical and social in nature, including 

strength, cardio and flexibility training. 

HealthCare <strong>International</strong>, Inc. 

PO Box 1509 

Langley WA 98260 

Toll-free: 800-398-9121 

Tel: 360-321-7090 

Fax: 360-321-7091 

heidihci@msn.com 

www.hcifitness.com 

At HealthCare <strong>International</strong>, our goal is to 

provide high-quality and affordable products 

for health, wellness, fitness and active 

aging. Our products include the Physio- 

Step Recumbent Elliptical, PhysioTrainer 

UBE, H2O Fitness, Monark Ergometers 

and h/p/cosmos Treadmills. 

Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness 

Program 

1445 South Spectrum Boulevard, 

Suite 100 

Chandler AZ 85286 

Toll-free: 800-295-4993 

www.silversneakers.com 

SilverSneakers, a product of Healthways, 

is an evidence-based program, proven to 

reduce healthcare costs through a unique 

blend of fitness, fun and friends. 

Hotel Fitness 

<strong>38</strong>15 River Crossing Parkway, 100 

Indianapolis IN 46240 

Toll-free: 800-291-0403 

Fax: 800-813-1102 

hotelfitness@mindspring.com 

www.hotelfitness.com 

Hotel Fitness is a leading provider of stateof-the 

art products and designs for fitness 

facilities for active aging, assisted living, 

resorts, hotels and other unsupervised commercial 

type facilities. 

HUR Health and Fitness Equipment 

1500 Shermer Road, Suite 108 

Northbrook IL 60062 

Toll-free: 877-729-2636 

Tel: 847-729-2636 

Fax: 847-509-4500 

sales@hurusa.com 

www.hurusa.com 

HUR, a leader in falls prevention and 

incontinence, offers computerized balance 

testing and training systems, strength training 

equipment for older adults and physical 

therapy, and specialty wheelchair accessible 

strength machines. 

HydroWorx 

1420 Stoneridge Drive 

Middletown PA 17057 

Toll-free: 800-753-9633 

Tel: 717-902-1923 

Fax: 717-902-1933 

corporate@hydroworx.com 

www.hydroworx.com 

HydroWorx, a premier manufacturer of 

aquatic rehabilitation, fitness and wellness 

products, offers innovation in every pool 

with fully adjustable floor, underwater 

treadmill and options to fit every application 

and budget. 

Hygenic/Performance Health 

1245 Home Avenue 

Akron OH 44310 

Toll-free: 800-321-2135 

Tel: 330-633-8460 

Fax: 330-633-9359 

information@thera-band.com 

www.thera-bandacademy.com 

Trusted progression is the basis for Thera- 

Band resistance bands and tubing, exercise 

stations, stability trainers and hand therapy. 

Thera-Band products have been referenced 

in over 640 published articles and abstracts. 

Interactive Health Partner 

785 West 1700 South, Suite 1 

Salt Lake City UT 84104 

Toll-free: 877-654-<strong>38</strong>37 

Tel: 801-973-9993, Option 3 

Fax: 801-973-9923 

dallen@interactivehealthpartner.com 

www.interactivehealthpartner.com 

The Interactive Health Partner combines 

health and fitness management into one, 

easy-to-use, online solution that is comprehensive 

and affordable. Automate health 

and fitness data collection and outcomes 

reporting. Use proven assessments. 

Iron Grip Barbell Company 

4012 West Garry Avenue 

Santa Ana CA 92704 

Toll-free: 800-664-4766 

Tel: 714-850-6900 

Fax: 714-850-6910 

info@irongrip.com 

www.irongrip.com 

Iron Grip’s premium, exclusively American-made 

free weight line is chosen by 

universities, corporate wellness centers, 

hospital and rehab facilities, and major 

health club chains worldwide. 



It’s Never 2 Late 

7302 South Alton Way, Suite 8D 

Centennial CO 80112 

Tel: 303-806-0797 

Fax: 303-789-1533 

info@in2l.com 

www.in2l.com 

It’s Never 2 Late builds computers residents 

enjoy. Intuitive systems empower individuals 

to connect, engage and enjoy life 

with dignity through the benefits of today’s 

technology for therapy and activity use. 

Life Fitness 

5100 River Road 

Schiller Park IL 60176 

Toll-free: 800-634-8637 

Tel: 847-288-3300 

Fax: 847-288-3796 

chad.cochran@lifefitness.com 

www.lifefitness.com 

Life Fitness offers an extensive selection 

of cardio and strength-training products. 

From designing floor plans to offering flexible 

financing solutions, we make it easy to 

create a perfect solution. 

LifeConnect 

5700 Old Orchard Road, Suite 100 

Skokie IL 60077 

Toll-free: 877-270-4954 

Tel: 773-878-4491 

Fax: 773-878-5289 

thrive@lifeconnectprofile.org 

www.lifeconnectprofile.org 

LifeConnect provides software and support 

to optimize whole-person wellness 

within senior living communities. In partnership 

with LifeConnect, communities 

and residents are empowered to thrive and 

flourish. 

88 

LifeSupport Medical 

133 South Church Street 

Las Cruces NM 88001 

Toll-free: 866-572-3274 

Tel: 575-522-4046 

Fax: 575-993-5319 

lsmsupport@lifesupportmedical.com 

www.lifesupportmedical.com 

LifeSupport Medical delivers a team with 

over 100 years of combined experience in 

safety and security to deliver an exceptional 

customer experience. 

LifeTrail Advanced Wellness System by 

Playworld Systems 

1000 Buffalo Road 

Lewisburg PA 17837-9795 

Toll-free: 800-233-8404 

Tel: 570-522-9800 

Fax: 570-522-3030 

info@playworldsystems.com 

www.playworldsystems.com 

Based on functional fitness, LifeTrail Advanced 

Wellness System has been specifically 

developed for adults 65 and over. It 

features 21 activities, 100-plus exercises, 

and is customizable to fit your needs. 

Masterpiece Living, LLC 

11360 North Jog Road 

Palm Beach Gardens FL 33418 

Tel: 561-624-8797 

Fax: 561-624-8037 

jloverde@mymasterpieceliving.com 

www.mymasterpieceliving.com 

Masterpiece Living partners with communities 

to maximize successful aging by providing 

exclusive tools necessary to nourish 

and stimulate lifestyle environments where 

older adults continue to grow physically, 

intellectually, socially and spiritually. 


ICAA PREFE 

MATRIX Fitness 

1610 Landmark Drive 

Cottage Grove WI 53527 

Toll-free: 866-693-4863 

Tel: 608-839-8686 

Fax: 608-839-8687 

info@matrixfitness.com 

www.matrixfitness.com 

Matrix Fitness Systems is the commercial 

division of Johnson Health Tech Co. Ltd., 

a leading fitness equipment manufacturer. 

Matrix delivers durable commercial fitness 

products, with low total cost of ownership. 

Med-Fit Systems, Inc./Manufacturer of 

Nautilus Commercial Products 

543 East Alvarado Street 

Fallbrook CA 92028 

Toll-free: 800-831-7665 

Tel: 760-451-3079 

Fax: 760-451-8995 

bzelhof@medfitsys.com 

www.medfitsystems.com 

Med-Fit Systems, Inc., is a 23-year-old 

physical therapy and senior care products 

provider. We supply strength and cardiovascular 

equipment, balance products and 

programming that are effective and safe for 

this market. 

MERIT Property Management 

1 Polaris Way, Suite 100 

Aliso Viejo CA 92656 

Toll-free: 800-428-5588 

Tel: 949-448-6023 

Fax: 949-448-5005 

sdegrassi@meritpm.com 

www.meritpm.com

RRED VENDORS 

For over 30 years MERIT Property Management 

has been an industry leading provider 

of professional community association 

services specializing in management of 

active adult communities and active adult 

lifestyle programming. 

Merrithew Health and Fitness Group 

2200 Yonge Street, Suite 500 

Toronto ON M4S 2C6 Canada 

Toll-free: 800-910-0001 

Tel: 416-482-4050 

Fax: 416-482-2742 

info@merrithew.com 

www.merrithew.com 

The Merrithew Health and Fitness Group 

was founded in 1988 by Lindsay and Moira 

Merrithew. The company’s mission is to 

promote the benefits of mind-body exercise 

worldwide. STOTT PILATES is 

Merrithew’s premier pilates brand. 

Morrison Senior Living 

5801 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE 

Atlanta GA 30342 

Toll-free: 800-686-6323 

Tel: 404-845-3405 

Fax: 866-345-0605 

andreawoods@iammorrison.com 

www.iammorrison.com 

Morrison specializes in the senior living 

industry, providing exceptional hospitality 

experiences across the United States. The 

company’s vision is simple: Great people 

will deliver great service and great results. 

Motionsoft 

8701 Georgia Avenue, Suite 200 

Silver Spring MD 20910 

Toll-free: 800-829-4321 

Tel: 301-495-2370 

Fax: 301-495-2373 

hossein@motionsoft.net 

www.motionsoft.net 

Motionsoft provides fully integrated facility 

management software, billing solutions and 

HRA, screening and assessment tools. Our 

team of implementation experts makes the 

transition easy, and our software is easy to 

learn and easy to use. 

Motus USA 

149 South Barrington Avenue, 772 

Los Angeles CA 90049 

Toll-free: 866-668-8766 

Tel: 310-515-1000 

Fax: 310-515-1151 

sales@motususa.com 

www.motususa.com 

Motus USA specializes in age-friendly, 

intuitive cardio and strength equipment 

solutions that deliver on value, enhancing 

active lifestyles and overall well-being. 

NeuroCom <strong>International</strong>, Inc. 

9570 SE Lawnfield Road 

Clackamas OR 97015 

Toll-free: 800-767-6744 

Tel: 503-653-2144 

Fax: 503-653-1991 

ncmadmin@onbalance.com 

www.onbalance.com 

Founded in 1984, NeuroCom develops 

computerized systems for the assessment 

and treatment of acute and chronic balance 

and mobility disorders, and offers products 

in a broad spectrum of medical disciplines. 

Power Plate 

17900 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 125 

Irvine CA 92614 

Toll-free: 877-87-PLATE (877-5283) 

Tel: 949-863-1737 

Fax: 949-863-1216 

info@powerplate.com 

www.powerplate.com 

Power Plate technology provides one of 

the most efficient total-body workouts. 

Benefits include increased strength, muscle 

tone, flexibility, bone density and range of 

motion, as well as improved blood circulation 

and lymphatic system activation. 

Power Systems, Inc. 

5700 Casey Drive 

Knoxville TN 37909 

Toll-free: 800-321-6975 

Tel: 865-769-8223 

Fax: 865-769-8211 

customerservice@power-systems.com 

www.power-systems.com 

Power Systems is a leading supplier of 

fitness and sports performance training 

equipment. We offer over 2,400 innovative 

products and training solutions, plus 

award-winning customer service, for customers 

such as health clubs and universities, 

among others. 



Precor, Inc. 

20031 142ndAvenue NE 

Woodinville WA 98072 

Toll-free: 800-786-8404 

Fax: 425-482-<strong>38</strong>88 

commsls@precor.com 

www.precor.com 

Precor, a leading brand in fitness, offers cardio, 

strength and entertainment equipment 

that helps users live beyond their limits. 

Precor equipment is simple to operate and 

offers a smooth, fluid experience. 

SCIFIT 

5151 South 110 East Avenue 

Tulsa OK 74146 

Toll-free: 800-278-3933 

Tel: 918-359-2000 

Fax: 918-359-2012 

info@scifit.com 

www.scifit.com 

SCIFIT offers an extensive range of 

comfortable, safe, age-friendly cardio and 

strength equipment. SCIFIT equipment 

and programs provide opportunities for 

people of all ages to stay active. 

Sit Strong Systems 

2220 Highway 70 East 

Hickory NC 28602 

Tel: 828-324-6144 

Fax: 828-322-6304 

david@sitstrongsystems.com 

www.sitstrongsystems.com 

Sit Strong Systems is a 2-in-1 product: 

strength training hidden in a quality and 

comfortable piece of furniture. Our chair 

does not take up extra space and never has 

to be put away. 

90 

S.R. Smith 

1017 SW Berg Parkway 

Canby OR 97013 

Toll-free: 800-824-4<strong>38</strong>7 

Tel: 503-266-2231 

Fax 503-266-4334 

www.poollifts.com 

S.R. Smith is a leader in swimming pool 

deck equipment and offers an array of 

products, including accessibility equipment, 

for residential swimming pools and 

commercial aquatic facilities worldwide. 

SPRI Products 

1769 Northwind Boulevard 

Libertyville IL 60048 

Toll-free: 800-222-7774 

Tel: 847-680-7774 

Fax: 847-680-7550 

customerservice@spri.com 

www.spri.com 

SPRI helps people enjoy a healthier, happier, 

active lifestyle. SPRI offers simple, 

effective exercise products for all fitness 

levels. Exclusive 15% discount for all 

ICAA members/subscribers (refer to code: 

ICAADISCOUNT). 

Technogym USA 

830 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 300 

Seattle WA 98134 

Toll-free: 800-804-0952 

Tel: 206-623-1488 

Fax: 206-623-1898 

info@technogymusa.com 

www.technogymusa.com 

At Technogym, The Wellness Company, 

we create, design and manufacture innovative 

solutions to foster the physical and 

psychological well-being of people, and 

enhance quality of life through physical 

activity. 


ICAA PREFE 

TRUE Fitness 

865 Hoff Road 

St. Louis MO 63366 

Toll-free: 800-426-6570 

Tel: 636-272-7100 

Fax: 636-272-7148 

info@truefitness.com 

www.truefitness.com 

TRUE Fitness features a full line of quality 

cardio equipment for the medical field. 

Our lineup of accessible treadmills, ellipticals 

and bikes are featured in facilities all 

over the world. 

WaterFit 

c/o Fitness Wholesale 

895-A Hampshire Road 

Stow OH 44224 

Toll-free tel: 800-537-5512 

Toll-free fax: 800-232-9348 

anita@fwonline.com 

www.waterfit.com 

WaterFit offers educational courses (via 

correspondence or on-site workshops) 

based on current health and medical fitness 

science and practice. WaterFit also supplies 

equipment for water exercise comfort, progression 

and safety. 

Wellness Belts, Inc. 

166 Saunders Road, Unit 2 

Barrie ON L4N 9A4 Canada 

Toll-free: 800-978-2358 

Tel: 705-739-6885 

Fax: 888-758-5939 

info@wellnessbelts.com 

www.wellnessbelts.com 

Wellness Belts manufactures a weighted 

wardrobe accessory that automatically provides 

several major wellness benefits without 

the need to put in any time whatsoever.

RRED VENDORS 

Xccent Fitness 

5240 257th Street 

Wyoming MN 55092 

Toll-free: 800-933-4748 

Tel: 651-462-9200 

Fax: 651-462-9299 

info@xccentfitness.com 

www.xccentfitness.com 

Xccent is an outdoor fitness equipment 

manufacturer with product focus on adult 

flexibility, muscle-strengthening, cardio 

and overall mobility—all in the great outdoors. 

Local fitness consultants in all 50 

states, and throughout North and South 

America. 

New Preferred Vendors 

COLLAGE, The Art & Science of 

Healthy Aging 

Kendal Outreach, LLC 

1107 East Baltimore Pike 

Kennett Square PA 19348 

Tel: 610-335-1283 

Fax: 610-335-1288 

info@collageaging.org 

www.collageaging.org 

COLLAGE is a consortium of aging services 

organizations (including continuing 

care, moderate-rate, and subsidized 

housing/home/community-based 

agencies) using an evidence-based assessment 

tool and person-centered 

process to advance healthy aging and 

improve outcomes of older adults living 

independently. 

Host organizations & sponsors 

on an engaging & successful 

Active Aging Week 2011 

Thank you for teaming up with ICAA 

to highlight wellness for older adults 

and help expand their experience. 

Share the excitement at 

Facebook.com/activeagingweek 

ReGear Life Sciences, Inc. 

2000 Cliff Mine Road, Suite 450 

Pittsburgh PA 15275 

Toll-free: 888-573-4327 

Tel: 412-446-1440 

Fax: 888-847-0331 

info@regearlife.com 

www.regearlife.com 

ReGear Life Sciences manufactures a 

portable diathermy system that weighs 

just under four lbs. The company’s flagship 

product, ReBound, delivers deep 

tissue therapeutic heating through a patented 

system of comfortable anatomically 

specific garments. 

ICAA-AAW thank you ad.indd 1 11-10-11 11:04 AM 


92 

Advertisers index 

Pages 2–3 

NuStep, Inc. 

www.nustep.com/products 

Page 7 

It’s Never 2 Late 

www.in2l.com 

Page 9 

ReGear Life Sciences (ReBound) 

www.regearlife.com 

Page 11 

Precor, Inc. 

commsls@precor.com 

Page 13 

Ball Dynamics (FitBALL) 

www.fitball.com 

Page 15 

GE Healthcare Lunar 

www.inbody.gehealthcare.com 

Page 19 

HealthCare <strong>International</strong> 

(PhysioStep) 

www.hcifitness.com 

Page 21 

Merrithew Health and Fitness 

(STOTT PILATES) 

www.merrithew.com/fullsolutions 

Page 23 

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Active 

Aging (ICAA)/American <strong>Council</strong> on 

Exercise (ACE) 

www.acefitness.org/icaacourses 

Page 27 

Zumba Fitness 

www.zumba.com/clubs 

Page 29 

Trackmaster/Active Aging 

and Wellness 

www.activeagingandwellness.com 

Page 31 


Aging (ICAA Champion) 

www.changingthewayweage.com/ 

campaign-pins.htm 

Page 33 


Aging Conference 2011 


Page 35 

Life Fitness 

www.lifefitness.com 

Page 37 

SCIFIT 

www.scifit.com 

Page 41 

SPRI Products 

www.spri.com 

Page 43 

AlterG, Inc. 

www.alter-g.com/senior 

Page 45 

Masterpiece Living 

www.mymasterpieceliving.com 

Page 49 

Dial Healthcare 

www.dial-jaa.com 

Page 51 

Institute for Preventive Foot 

Health (IPFH)/Thor•Lo, Inc. 

www.ipfh.org/www.thorlo.com 

Page 53 

Dynamic Wellness Solutions 

www.dynamicwellness.us 

Page 55 

FreeMotion Fitness 



Page 57 

ProMatura Group 

info@promatura.com 

Page 59 


Aging Conference 2011 


Page 63 

Exerbotics 

www.exerbotics.com 

Page 65 

Conductorcise, LLC 

www.conductorcise.com 

Page 69 


Aging (ICAA)/ProMatura Group 

www.icaa.cc/management/ 

benchmarks.htm 

Page 75 

Benaroch Graphic Communication 

www.benaroch.com 

Page 91 

Active Aging Week 2011 

www.facebook.com/activeagingweek 

Page 93 

Age of Champions 

www.ageofchampions.org/icaa 

Page 95 

Morrison Senior Living 

jrathburn@iammorrison.com 

Page 96 

Technogym USA Corp. 

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AGE OF CHAMPIONS 

WINNING NEVER GETS OLD. 

Nikki Leader & 

Mavis Albin 

67 and 72 years old 

Share the uplifting new documentary Age of 

Champions with your members! It’s a great way 

to inspire the people in your organization and 

add an exciting event to your calendar. 

Learn more at www.ageofchampions.org/icaa 


Former National Football League player 

Rolf Benirschke (at far left) moderated 

AdvaMed 2011 panel, (l to r), Wojtek 

Chodzko-Zajko, Peter Stebbins and Colin 

Milner (see ‘ICAA on the road’) 

Opportunities to celebrate, 

encourage active aging in a 

milestone year 

Host organizations across North America 

offered free programs and events in the 

last week of September for Active Aging 

Week, the health promotion observance 

spearheaded by the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Council</strong> 

on Active Aging® (ICAA). Sponsored in 

2011 by Aegis Therapies, Matrix Fitness, 

New Balance Athletic Shoe and 24 Hour 

Fitness, Active Aging Week celebrates 

healthy, active aging. This year’s observance 

focused on the theme “Expand 

your experience,” encouraging age 50plus 

adults to try new activities. The underlying 

message? People can live as fully 

as possible throughout the life span. 

Active Aging Week 2011 ended on October 

1, the <strong>International</strong> Day of Older 

Persons and ICAA’s 10 th Anniversary. 

Connecting with both the momentum 

and theme of Active Aging Week, and the 

significance of its timing, the association 

officially launched its ICAA Champions 

program as part of the weeklong event. 

ICAA Champions, a component of the 

new ICAA’s Changing the Way We Age® 

Campaign, “enlists organizations and 

individuals to serve as role models and 

educators in the effort to shift society’s 

perceptions of aging,” explains Communications 

Director Marilynn Larkin. 

To help organizations and professionals 

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d i r e c t i o n s 

Catch up with the association that supports professionals in older-adult fitness and wellness 

get involved, Larkin has written a “quickstart 

guide” to the program (see <strong>page</strong>s 

24–33). Those who want to show their 

support for the campaign now also have 

the option of purchasing ICAA Champion 

pins. Details are available online 

at www.changingthewayweage.com/ 

campaign-pins.htm. 

Lastly, association staff look forward to 

seeing ICAA members and supporters in 

Orlando, Florida, in December for the 

ICAA Conference 2011. This year, the 

popular Networking Reception will celebrate 

ICAA’s 10 th Anniversary and the 

growth of the active-aging industry. We 

hope you can join us. 

ICAA on the road 

ICAA leaders have participated in the 

following events during the months of 

September and October: 

• On September 7, CEO Colin Milner 

spoke about “Marketing and the Baby 

Boomer” at New Balance 2011: 

Family Shoe Summit in Boston, 

Massachusetts. 

• Then on September 22, Milner gave the 

keynote address at the 2011 Seniors 

Services Conference: Grey Matters 

in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This 

conference was hosted by the Alberta 

Ministry of Seniors and Community 

Supports, in partnership with the notfor-profit 

Kerby Centre. 

• In Washington, DC, Milner joined 

ICAA Advisory Board Member Wojtek 

Chodzko-Zajko, of the University of 

Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, for a 

September 27 panel discussion at the 

2011 AdvaMed (Advanced Medical 

Technology Association) Conference. 

Panel members discussed “Sports 

Medicine–Improvements in lives– 

Aging better.” 

• As of press time, Vice President of 

Education Patricia Ryan will give a 

seminar on “Wellness Benchmarks 

to Measure Outcomes” at the 2011 

LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Washington, 

DC. Ryan’s copresenter for the 

October 17 session is ICAA member 

Denise Heimlich, director of wellness 

for Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement 

Community, West Columbia, South 

Carolina. 

• Ryan will then present “The Business 

Case for Wellness” (based on ICAA’s 

white paper) at the California Assisted 

Living Association’s 2011 Fall Conference 

and Trade Show, held October 

24–26 in Garden Grove, California. 

• Finally, on October 28, Chief Operating 

Officer Julie Milner will discuss 

“Trends in Active Aging” at the 2011 

Alberta Recreation and Parks Association 

Conference taking place in scenic 

Lake Louise. 

2011 ICAA Member Planning Guide 

November 

11 Final early-bird deadline for 

ICAA Conference 

30 ICAA preconference 

workshops 

30 Look for ICAA Green Guide 

December 

1 ICAA Conference begins in 


1 Winners of inaugural ICAA 

Rebranding Aging Awards 

announced 

31 Watch for ICAA Preferred 

Business Partners Guide 

January 2012 

9 Presenter applications available 

for ICAA Conference 2012 

Have you … 

• Listed ICAA renewal in the annual 

budget to be prepared when you 

receive your renewal notice? 

• Supported ICAA’s Changing 

the Way We Age® Campaign by 

becoming an ICAA Champion or 

campaign partner? 

• Enrolled your community in 

the ICAA/ProMatura Wellness 

Benchmarks?


96 

External 

rotation 

Extension 

Abduction 

Convergent 

movement 


Technogym® Global Partner

Continued from page 38 - International Council on Active Aging

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