WALK! with Aegis Therapies Participants "Walked" Thousands of Miles Across the Nation to Celebrate Active Aging Week

DELAFIELD, Wis., Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of patients, therapists, staff, and other participants recently celebrated Active Aging Week by "walking" thousands of miles at hundreds of locations across the nation during WALK! with Aegis Therapies.

WALK! with Aegis Therapies is an award-winning, five-day health and wellness program featuring walking and numerous other activities to encourage active aging and wellness. Nationally recognized fitness expert Chris Freytag led walking activities at various Aegis Therapies client locations across the nations, including Minneapolis, Minn., Kansas City, Mo., and Daytona Beach, Fla.

Over 640 skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, independent living facilities, and other locations participated. Each day, events highlighted one of the "dimensions of wellness" — physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, occupational and social.

Participants who could not walk engaged in other physical activities. Each day, the exercise participants performed was calculated to approximate the approximate mileage they "walked" in recognition of active aging and healthy living among seniors.

"WALK! with Aegis Therapies participants enjoyed a wide variety of activities encouraging active aging and healthy lifestyles," said Martha Schram, President of Aegis Therapies. "These events reinforced the importance of nourishing our emotional and intellectual health, in addition to maintaining our physical well-being."

Presented by the EnerG™ by Aegis wellness program and the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) WALK! with Aegis Therapies was launched in 2009 as a one-day event. In 2010 the program expanded to five days of events and activities and has earned Aegis Therapies an ICAA Innovators Award for leading the way, setting new standards, and making a difference in the lives of older adults.  

About Aegis Therapies (www.aegistherapies.com)

Aegis Therapies is one of the largest and most successful contract rehabilitation companies in the country, with operations at more than 1,000 locations in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and more than 6,000 employees. Aegis specializes in therapy that is needed by nursing home, assisted living or home-bound patients with medically complex conditions. Aegis programs are structured around an older-adult Model of Care, and include Freedom Through Functionality, a strength-training program featuring specially modified Nautilus equipment. Aegis has invested in the infrastructure, employee support and training to effectively measure and quantify therapy impact. The focus on positive, measurable outcomes and clinical excellence helps older patients achieve more independence through physical, occupational and speech therapy.

SOURCE Aegis Therapies