10/15/2009 - News

Juha Vaisanen, President of HUR USA, selected as an ICAA Visioning Board Member

New advisory group will steer development of vision for future of active aging

(Chicago October 15, 2009) - The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), an association that supports professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for age 50-plus adults, has named Mr. Juha Vaisanen, President of HUR USA, to the new ICAA Visioning Board. From CEOs to researchers to wellness directors, the leaders appointed to the ICAA Visioning Board will drive ICAA 2020, an initiative set up to create a vision for the future of active aging. This diverse and dynamic advisory group will help steer this vision for the industry.

As an ICAA Visioning Board Member, Mr. Vaisanen will offer creative ideas and recommendations about what will help the active-aging industry flourish in the years to come. He will work with other board members to develop a vision for such vital components of active aging as programming, facility development, and community design. The Board will present its completed vision to the ICAA Advisory Board, which will work with the recommendations to set priorities for the association.

ICAA's CEO, Colin Milner, welcomes Mr. Juha Vaisanen's involvement. "We are delighted that Juha has accepted our invitation to join the ICAA Visioning Board," says Milner. "His knowledge, expertise and passion for active aging will help this advisory group in creating a compelling vision for the future of our industry. We eagerly anticipate Juha's valuable contributions in the coming year."

Mr. Juha Vaisanen looks forward to working with other members of the ICAA Visioning Board in the coming year.


About active aging

According to the World Health Organization, active aging "allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course, and to participate in society according to their needs, desires and capacities, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they require assistance." Furthermore, "the word 'active' refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labour force." Governments at all levels, nongovernmental organizations in numerous disciplines, and employers of all sizes increasingly embrace this vision of a healthier, more active and engaged older-adult population.


About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)
Website: www.icaa.cc

ICAA is the world's largest membership association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. The council supports these professionals with education, information, resources and tools, so they can achieve optimal success with the growing population of people who are 50 years and older. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada's Special Senate Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport.