One of the largest groups in nearly every community is older adults (adults older than 55). Today, the older adult population totals over 55 million people, steadily increasing every year with the United States experiencing its fastest growth in more than 100 years over the past decade. Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases like dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and arthritis, and older adults experience additional challenges that can increase the risk of social isolation and loneliness. Historically under-resourced populations have a greater risk of experiencing social isolation, loneliness and chronic disease.
Park and recreation agencies are uniquely suited to support and improve the health and well-being of older adults. Park and recreation agencies are one of the leading providers of older adult programming nationwide, with 92 percent of agencies providing older adult programs and resources. They also manage essential spaces and community infrastructure like parks, trails and recreation centers where all people can gather, connect and participate in essential activities that promote well-being across all seven dimensions.
Through the Healthy Aging in Parks initiative, NRPA aims to combat social isolation and foster intergenerational connectedness by advancing the Healthy Aging Framework and activating park and recreation systems to center and advance health equity and promote positive outcomes across all seven dimensions of well-being—cultural, economic, emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical and social.
Our Goals
System Change: Support park and recreation professionals to implement systems change strategies that advance equitable practices, policies, infrastructure improvements, and programs that improve community and individual level well-being.
Programs and Services: Integrate evidence-based, culturally responsive and community-driven programs and services that activate park and recreation systems and promote all seven dimensions of well-being, build social capital and increase belonging.
Empowered Profession: Provide training, peer learning and networking, resources and best practices to help park and recreation professionals scale innovative approaches and strategies that maximize parks as Community Wellness Hubs.
Our Objectives
Community Impact: By 2029, provide direct support to up to 150 park and recreation agencies to implement strategies within the Healthy Aging Framework that enhance quality of life for older adults and people with chronic conditions
Intergenerational Lens: By 2029, provide tools, resources, and training to address social isolation and foster social and intergenerational connectedness, increasing the percentage of agencies providing intergenerational programming by 10 percent.
Field Wide Action: By 2029, support park and recreation agencies to center and advance health equity within their older adult initiatives by increasing the percentage of agencies implementing key healthy equity strategies by 10 percent.
To learn more about how park and recreation agencies support older adults, explore the Supporting Older Adults Through Parks and Recreation report.
For more information on how you can make the commitment to improving the health, wellness and quality of life of older adults in your community, contact HealthyAginginParks@nrpa.org.
