Healthy Aging Programs

This module aims to familiarise yourself with searching, assessing, determining appropriateness and publishing programs related to active ageing. Choose how you'd like to engage with the content:

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What is Active Aging?

“The process of promoting and maintaining functional capacity that allows well-being in old” (World Health Organization, 2015)

Please, watch the video

DECADE OF HEALTHY AGEING: INTRODUCTION TO THE WHO BASELINE REPORT (1´50´´)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShmemfpkVLQ

Active aging programs. General information

  • They are developed in several countries
  • There are varied but effective proposals: allowing the participants to choose the proposal that best suits their interests or needs, encouraging greater involvement and continuity in the programs.
  • Organisers
    • Organizations / Institutions: IMSERSO (Spain)
    • Research centres: Centre for Research in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure of the University of Porto (Portugal)

    • There are many other examples aroung the world about organizers. If you want more information you can read the complementary information


Active aging programs. Characteristics

There are four main groups related to active aging programs that will be developed below:

  • Types of activities
  • Participants 
  • Characteristics of the sessions
  • Materials 

It will be possible to see whether there are differences at this level between the two types of programs.

Characteristics

Types of activities

  • Sporting activities
  • Rehabilitation activities
  • Combined activities

Can take place indoors and/or outdoors

Participants

The activities can be carried out individually or in groups, although in the latter case no special attention is paid to the development of social skills, nor are they presented as a means to this end. The choice between one type or the other is made on the basis of the possibilities offered by the activity.

Characteristics of the sessions - Recommendations

  • Minimum duration: 20 minutes
  • Minimum quantity: 2 times per week
  • Maintaining over time

In the case of rehabilitation-only programs, inclusion in prevention or skills development programs is recommended after the end of the program

Materials

  • Immediate environment
  • Open air
  • Specific equipement
  • New technologies (raining without leaving the home and supervision)

Examples of programs


Virtual Reality Program Social Thermalism Program
Types of activities Indoor and rehabilitation activities Indoor and outdoor rehabilitation activities
Participants Individual activities Group / individual
Session details Duration: 30 minutes
Frequency: 2 sessions per week
Total duration: 6 weeks 		No predetermined schedule
Flexible duration and frequency
Materials Technologie: virtual reality games Depends on the activity

Areas of healthy development

WELLNESS
Good rest habits, routines and practices to reduce stress such as mindfulness







W


N
NUTRITION
Healthy and balanced diet without excesses
STAY ACTIVE
Social activity, mental activity and physical activity

S

R
RELATIONSHIPS Good quality of care, establish community ties, maintain affective family relationships, share experiences with other people


Benefits

Indicatively:

  • Prevention, cure or rehabilitation
  • Physical fitness
  • Independence
  • Sedentary lifestyle

They vary according to the characteristics present as set out above. 

Please, watch the video
10 TIPS FOR HEALTHY AGING (1´57´´): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-hG0oZYzQY 

Conclusions

  1. The programs have the same main purpose
  2. Different proposals to achieve the purpose
  3. Characteristics to be taken into account when choosing a program
  4. Select a program according to Individual needs
  5. They bring different benefits which vary according to the skills they work on
  6. Differences with regard to active aging programs (main difference: the development of social skills)

Healthy aging requires good, balanced habits.
Simple actions: Reduce or eliminate the consumption of harmful substances, have a balanced diet, regular exercise, establish good social relationships, reduce stress and carry out activities to continue learning.
Healthy aging is global and includes care in various areas of the elderly.

Last modified: Saturday, 18 October 2025, 11:17 PM