This past weekend I was on a panel to discuss Aging in Your Home and Community for the 2015 Aging Well Conference. Basia Belza opened the event with her Keynote: Aging Well in the 21st Century. Her first slide loud & clear there is a WALKING Revolution, we need to move to and keep physically active as we age. Step it Up! is the Surgeon General mantra, singing the same praises about WALKING and it does not cost a dime. Free is good. Just WALK.
Other featured Topics for the break out sessions were, Finding Resources and Supports for Yourself or Loved One, Planning for Peace of Mind, Keep it Moving: Well-Being as we Age, Nutrition- Cooking on a Budget with The Farmers Market and open discussions about Age-Friendly communities. Many creative ideas were being shared as the seeds of the revolution are planted.
Sponsors included Elders in Action, AARP, Portland State University, Oregon Health and Science, National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing, and Multnomah County.
The setting was at the OHSU Collaborative Life Sciences Building designed by SERA Architects and has a LEED Platinum Certificate. The conference ended with a WALK of course across the newly opened Tilikum Crossing Bridge. Time for a WALK after you read this blog!
Another Forum coming up is – Where to Next? Creating Home Sweet Home, on housing and aging is October 31, at the CLIMB Center, Portland Community College 8:00 – 12:30.
Are you planning for how you want to live 10 or 20 years from now? Meet experts and residents from 15 housing communities and network with like mined folks.
I did walk today. AARP Neighborwalks had a great turn out, today I lead a group of 30 through SE Portland Westmoreland Park to the Rhododendron Gardens for 2.5 miles and 5,000 steps! Many walkers came by the new Tri Met Orange Line. It is more fun to get out with others and enjoy a perfect fall day!
WALK WALK WALK
