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 At many facilities, instructors will provide free Jazzercise Lite classes, a low-impact version of the original Jazzercise
program. And numerous locations will offer older adults the chance to try other
fitness-related activities. Through the yearlong AoA initiative, ICAA members
will have the opportunity to build on the momentum created by Active Aging Week
to continue reaching older adults with the message of healthy aging.

The You Can! campaign is the aging component of the Department of Health and
Human Services’ (HHS) Steps to a HealthierUS Initiative. The HHS program
supports President George W. Bush’s goal of “helping Americans lead longer,
better, healthier lives.” The AoA outreach effort takes direct aim at the rising
epidemic of chronic disease and obesity among people of all ages, including
older adults.

 Medical evidence shows that better diet and regular, moderate physical activity may help prevent, delay and treat serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and some types
of cancer. Also, people who make better nutrition choices and who do regular
physical activity are more able to do the activities of daily life and continue
to live independently longer.

Organizations that join the You Can! campaign agree to advise their communities
about how important it is to choose healthier lifestyle behaviors; offer older
adults opportunities to learn more about increasing physical activity and
improving nutrition; and seek ways to implement nutrition and physical activity
programs and activities for older adults.

After enrolling in the campaign by
visiting www.aoa.gov/youcan , participating groups will receive a toolkit and
recognition.

These groups also will have access to a partners-only website, which offers networking opportunities and valuable online tools and information for conducting and publicizing community outreach activities.

About the International Council on Active Aging The ICAA is the world’s largest association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. It connects a community
of like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers
and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social).

 The council supports these
professionals with education, information, resources and tools, so they can
achieve optimal success with this growing market.

The ICAA takes an active role in helping to change the way society perceives
aging. The council is one of more than 50 of the nation's most prominent health
and aging organizations working to implement the National Blueprint on Aging.
Contributors to the Blueprint's development include AARP, the American College
of Sports Medicine, the American Geriatrics Society, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, the National Institute on Aging and the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation.