Autumn in Montgomery County has always felt like a second spring for our community: the weather cools, parks fill with walkers and tai chi groups, and local centers buzz with renewed activity. This year, as Montgomery County prepares to celebrate its Annual Active Aging Week — a county-wide, international celebration of staying physically, mentally, and socially active as we age — we at Seniors Helping Seniors Bethesda are proud to join the chorus of neighbors, nonprofits, and county agencies spotlighting what it means to age with vibrancy, purpose, and connection. Montgomery County’s Active Aging Week brings free and low-cost programs, a signature event, and dozens of activities across the county for residents 50+ — and it’s a perfect reminder that small steps (and big laughs) go a long way toward wellbeing.
Why Active Aging Week matters
Active Aging Week is more than a calendar item — it’s a mindset. Designed to encourage older adults to try new things, re-engage with old hobbies, and meet neighbors in safe, welcoming places, Active Aging Week highlights how physical movement, cognitive stimulation, and social interaction are central to healthy aging. Research and years of experience from aging-service organizations show that social connection and purposeful activity reduce isolation, boost mood, and can even improve physical health outcomes. Montgomery County’s program intentionally combines fitness, arts, education, and resource fairs so people can sample what most sparks joy and then keep doing it year-round.
For the County’s part, Active Aging Week is coordinated across departments — including Recreation, Parks, Public Libraries, Health and Human Services — and local partners. The result is a robust menu of offerings that includes everything from laughter yoga and Zumba to tech classes, health screenings, and creative workshops. That means whether someone wants to take their first tai chi class, learn a new recipe, or find local resources to support aging in place, there’s a doorway waiting.
What’s happening this year (highlights you’ll want to know)
Montgomery Parks and the County host a countywide kickoff/“signature” event — typically titled something like Go, Grow & Get Active — that gathers a wide range of partners for workshops, demonstrations, and a resource fair. In recent years the signature event has been held at the Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center in Rockville, featuring dozens of interactive workshops and wellness activities in a single day. If you want one-stop shopping for Active Aging Week energy, the signature event is it: classes, health booths, demonstrations, and volunteer opportunities all under one roof.
Beyond the signature day, Active Aging Week events are scheduled across neighborhoods — libraries, parks, community centers, and even virtual platforms — so participation is truly accessible. The County makes a full calendar available through its senior calendar and parks pages so residents can pick events by date, location, or interest. If you’re curious about a particular class (line dancing? pickleball? a tech help desk?), check the calendar — there’s almost always something close by.
Montgomery County’s commitment to Active Aging Week has been recognized for its creativity and effectiveness — the initiative has earned awards and national attention for its approach to redefining what active aging looks like in a modern suburban county. That recognition underscores how important community-wide partnerships and consistent programming are to keeping older adults engaged.
Practical tips for making the most of Active Aging Week
Whether you plan to attend the signature event, a neighborhood class, or a small walk in your park, here are practical tips from our caregivers and companions for a safe, fun, and meaningful week:
- Start small and build in rest. Try a 20-minute class, not a 90-minute marathon. Pack a water bottle and plan a 10–15 minute rest between activities.
- Wear the right shoes and clothing. Supportive walking shoes and layered clothing keep you comfortable indoors and out.
- Buddy up. Bring a friend or ask a caregiver or neighbor to accompany you. New social connections are one of the most powerful benefits of Active Aging Week.
- Ask questions at workshops. Health and service booths are there to help — bring a list of questions (transportation options? fall-prevention resources? community meals?) and take notes.
- Take photos and share stories. If you’re comfortable, snap pictures of activities (respecting others’ privacy) and share them with family. A shared memory multiplies the joy.
- Keep a simple follow-up plan. If you find a class or activity you like, put it on your calendar for the next week — consistency matters more than intensity.
These simple moves help the week be more than a one-off: they make it the start of a new habit.
Suggestions for hosts and neighbors — how to make events more inclusive
If you’re a local business, community volunteer, or neighbor planning an Active Aging Week activity, these quick accessibility and inclusion tips go a long way:
- Post clear signage and schedule info. Many older adults appreciate knowing what to expect and when breaks are built in.
- Offer seating near activities for those who need frequent rests.
- Provide large-print materials and good lighting for readings or presentations.
- Keep registration flexible — allow walk-ins where possible and offer phone sign-up help for those less comfortable online.
- Partner with transit or local volunteer drivers to provide transportation options for participants who don’t drive.
Montgomery County and many partner organizations already work on accessibility and program access — but neighbors, volunteer hosts, and small organizations can make a big difference with small tweaks.
Making Active Aging Year-round
Active Aging Week is a wonderful concentrated moment of attention on healthy aging, but the real transformation comes when communities take that momentum into the months that follow. Here’s how you can extend the benefits all year:
- Create a weekly social calendar. Pick 1–2 activities you enjoy and commit to them. Consistency builds community and health.
- Swap skills with neighbors. Host a monthly “teach and learn” where someone shows a recipe, a craft, or a simple tech skill.
- Establish walking routes with resting spots. A regular walking group with a short, flat route and benches makes walking approachable.
- Stay connected digitally. If your group is comfortable, create a phone tree or a simple email list for reminders and encouragement.
- Keep an eye on accessibility. Regularly ask participants what barriers they face and adapt (timing, transportation, seating) to fit more people.
Seniors Helping Seniors Bethesda is ready to help you design or sustain these ideas. Our companions can be walking buddies, class chaperones, or helpers for small digital setups — whatever helps create a steady rhythm.