Small changes encourage walking by Dori Rosenberg, MPH, MS and Jacqueline Kerr, PhD

Increasing physical activity among older adults is one step that can help prevent and treat many health concerns, including high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and depression. Walking is an excellent activity to promote to older adults because it is easy for many to do, inexpensive, can be done alone or with others, builds strength and balance, and is gentle on the body.

Older adults living in retirement communities have much to gain from increasing their physical activity as they may be older, more frail and less active than those living in the community.