WINTER PARK – Florida has the largest percentage of adults 65 and older in the nation (21%), and as the state’s senior population continues to increase, Florida’s future is linked to the health and wellbeing of its elder population.
Growing Bolder Day is a free, community-wide, intergenerational celebration of aging presented by the Senior Resource Alliance to promote the importance of active lifestyle, social engagement, purpose, creativity and regular health screenings. The event will be hosted at the Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park, Fla. on Saturday, Oct. 7 during the International Council on Active Aging’s 20th anniversary of Active Aging Week (Oct. 2-8).
“Growing Bolder Day is designed to celebrate our local seniors and encourage all community members to embrace the process of aging,” said Karla Radka, president and CEO of Senior Resource Alliance. “The unprecedented age wave will continue to put increased stress on families, as well as the state and local senior service providers. To alleviate this, our goal is to raise awareness of what can be done at every age to prepare, and the resources we have available for local seniors and their families to help them age happily and healthily.”
Infused with energy, activity, education and entertainment, Growing Bolder Day is designed to appeal to all ages with interactive activities including an intergenerational Wisdom Walk, social gaming, yoga, tai chi, a Growing Bolder Film Fest, free professional portraits, Rock Stars of Aging® longevity forum, healthy nutrition demonstration, balance workshop, brain health seminar, inspiring speakers, engaging demonstrations and more.
While smashing ageist stereotypes and celebrating the nearly endless opportunities for lifelong learning, Growing Bolder Day also underscores the reality that a large and growing number of older adults in our community are struggling and the many dedicated organizations working tirelessly to meet their needs require community support.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90% of U.S. healthcare dollars are spent treating largely preventable chronic illness and only 3% goes toward prevention. “Countless studies confirm that individuals have a large degree of control over their health and wellbeing as they age,” said Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton. “By our actions, we can delay and prevent many of the illnesses that older Floridians suffer from, including cancer, diabetes, cardiac disease and Alzheimer’s. Inspiring daily lifestyle choices that increase our health span is the ultimate win-win. An improved quality of life for individuals and a reduced care burden on families, state and local senior service providers.”
“The Winter Park Health Foundation is thrilled to host such an inspiring, intergenerational event at the Center for Health & Wellbeing,” said Patty Maddox, Winter Park Health Foundation President & CEO. “Our goal in the development of the Center was to promote community wellbeing and we look forward to showcasing its variety of wholeness, fitness and medical services.”
