Seniors, Staff and Family Members Walked More than 23,816 miles During Aegis Therapies’ First Nationwide Walk Your Age Events

Delafield, Wisconsin, October 5, 2009 — To celebrate Active Aging Week© September 21-27, Aegis Therapies hosted their first ever Walk Your Age event on Monday, September 21. With over 550 participating facilities, the event was a huge success. Close to twenty thousand participants walked an astounding 50 million steps or 23,816 miles. The nationwide series of events were held in conjunction with Golden LivingCenters and other nursing homes and assisted living facilities serviced by Aegis Therapies.

“This is the perfect way to highlight the importance of keeping active and staying well no matter what your age or physical limitations,” said Martha Schram, President of Aegis Therapies. “I look forward to Aegis leading the way with more events and initiatives in the future that remind us that keeping fit can be rewarding and fun,” she added.

Patients, therapists and other staff joined the walk towards wellness. The goal was for participants to walk a specific number of steps based on the year they were born. If someone was born in 1938, they were encouraged to walk a minimum of 1,938 steps. If a participant was in a wheelchair or otherwise unable to walk, they engaged other physical activities. All exercise during the event was measured and calculated to approximate the number of steps they “walked.”

Active Aging Week is an annual initiative developed by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA). The program promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by providing older adults the opportunity to experience activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere.