Eight Trends That Will Define Active Aging in 2008 

Watching the trends in active aging is important because the next wave of older adults represents a huge number of people. Their tastes, interests and spending patterns will influence communities and organizations for many years. The Baby Boomers are people born between 1946 and 1964, of which the first wave turns 62 this year.  

The International Council on Active Aging has identified the following 8 trends from research studies, polls and many hours speaking with older adults and those who support them: 

1. The Internet is becoming the new link to health, social networking and travel. Virtually all new homes in age-qualified retirement communities are hardwired for computers and broadband Internet access.[1]Maintaining health is important as people age, and over 89 percent of Boomers seek health information online.

2. Retirement communities are reinventing themselves. There is a decided growth in interest in purchasing age-qualified housing targeted to people 50 years and older.[2] These communities feature activities and people with similar attitudes and interests-and minimal yard work. Since they want to stay closer to friends and family, the Boomers are not moving to warmer southern states like their parents did. 

3. Maintaining intellectual skills and brain health is top-of-mind. Baby Boomers are keen on maintaining their mental and intellectual health. Losing their mental abilities is one of their top fears[3]. 

4. Technology is inspiring activity. The newest technology inspiring older adults is found in console games, a recent addition to that genre being the Nintendo Wii, where people play imaginary sports games using a hand-held controller. Other games are available, and these activities inspire fun as well as movement. The bonus? Grandparents can play with the grandkids on the same field. 

5. Retirement means Boomers will continue to work-but on their own terms. Flexible hours, interesting work or being their own bosses are the new parameters for working adults.

While forward-thinking companies are looking for ways to loosen their rules to retain the knowledge and experience of "retiring" workers, the workers are looking for ways to stay intellectually active and stimulated while allowing for a month-long vacation. "Good work" in retirement (work or volunteering that makes a difference to the community) is particularly desired by Boomers.

6. Lifelong learning opportunities and interests keep growing. Whether it's formal academic programs for a certificate or degree, informal auditing of college classes or a museum series on art history, continuing education for adults over 50 is on the rise.

7. Age-friendly fitness opportunities are essential. What is a greater fear than losing mental skills? Losing their health.[4] People who are physically active reduce their risk of chronic diseases and of losing their ability to maintain daily activities. Baby Boomers understand this. The owners of the new wave of gyms, exercise routines and wellness centers aimed at people over 50 years are riding the trend. 

8. Health plans will pay for prevention. The fear of rising costs has forced health insurance companies to investigate the dollar value of exercise for prevention. One study showed 50-plus adults who start exercising just 90 minutes a week save on average $2,200 per year in medical costs.[5] Combine those cost savings with the Boomers' knowledge of the benefit of activity, and health insurers take notice. 

ICAA seeks to reinforce that: The ability to function and engage in life is what's important - not chronological age.