ABSTRACT

Seniors present a high risk of losing their functional capacity as a result of the bio-psycho-social changes derived from the aging process. It is an age group that had been considered synonymous with disease until recently. The new paradigm of active aging, however, demands strategies aimed at increasing healthy life expectancy by maintaining autonomy and promoting behavioral change toward health. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information relative to the functional characteristics of older adults in Mexico and Latin America and how they can be served through health promotion programming. Such programs need to allow an integral evaluation of the functional capacity of older adults through a set of variables, which have direct influence on recovery, maintenance and functional improvement. Furthermore, information on the design and implementation of health promotion programs is provided, based on physical activity to enhance healthy physical condition.