Grant: Operating Grant: Voluntary Sector Knowledge Mobilization Support Grant

RATIONALE: Physical activity is one of the most efficacious pathways to promoting physical and mental health, preventing disease, bolstering immunity, and remaining independent into older age. However, despite the plethora of evidence of the importance of an active lifestyle, recent Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging data indicated that only one fourth of older adults reach the recommended amounts of physical activity to obtain health benefits that contribute to healthy aging. Physical activity is a potent tool for the prevention and management of chronic disease in older adults and in the maintenance of functional ability. However, many older adults are not active because of fears and a lack of understanding related to activity participation while living with disease or with functional limitations. There is a wealth of evidence on the benefits of physical activity as we get older, for adult-onset conditions and for mobility issues. But the awareness, knowledge and uptake of this evidence are low; that is low health literacy on this topic. A first step is knowing and valuing the benefits of an active lifestyle, knowing its safe, learning about modifications, professional who can help, and where to go for further information. Thus, overall objective of this knowledge mobilization proposal is to support and promote a physically active lifestyle at any age, at any ability, and with any condition. The SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES of the proposal are to: • Create and promote a website containing a directory of available evidence-based resources relating to physical activity and aging. • Create a promotional video to increase value of and awareness of physical activity for healthy aging. • Increase the health literacy of older Canadians on the topic of physical activity and healthy aging. The TARGET AUDIENCE generally, is Canadians aged 65 year and older. A prime focus is to reach older adults who are currently inactive in order to remove barriers and to support getting active. However, we also want to promote the various distinct types of physical activity linked to healthy aging and to increase awareness of resources for specific chronic conditions or ability. This secondary focus is to reach individuals who may be currently active but not meeting recommended guidelines and/or their health condition or functional status changes.