Aging Redefined: Colin Milner Inspires a Fresh Vision for Healthy Living at Passavant

In a world where aging is often viewed through a lens of limitations, Colin Milner’s recent visit to Passavant Community provided a powerful shift in perspective. As CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and a pioneer in the active-aging movement across North America, Milner, who the World Economic Forum has recognized as one of the world’s “most innovative and influential minds” on aging, brought his forward-thinking perspective to Passavant residents through personal interactions and a keynote presentation titled “Healthy Aging: The Great Disruptor”.

Milner’s visit was the highlight of Passavant’s ASPIRE Wellness “Active Aging Week,” a celebration of aging with energy and resilience. Supported by the ICAA, the week-long event included various activities designed to demonstrate that life at any age can be rich with health and purpose.

“Our mission is to challenge the way aging is seen and experienced,” said Brian Damaska, ASPIRE Wellness Manager. “We are proud to offer activities that show how age truly is just a number, promoting engagement and meaning in each day.”

Milner’s passion for redefining aging began early in his career when he sold his first company and joined a fitness equipment company focused on research in strength training for older adults.

The studies revealed that aging didn’t limit physical potential as previously thought: even seniors could regain muscle mass and strength, reshaping their lives with enhanced vitality.

His approach to aging is informed by decades of research and personal experience, including inspiration from his grandmother, who lived vibrantly to the age of 111. Her habits, he shared, included daily exercises using water jugs and a love for attending hockey games, where she often mingled with fans decades younger than her.

“She lived life out loud,” he reflected.

During his presentation, Milner captured his audience’s attention with insights into healthy aging as a personal responsibility and a reflection of societal progress.

“Our health is our responsibility,” he emphasized.

“In my mind, we have one life, and we have two choices: do we get the most out of it, no matter our circumstances, or do we not?”

One key to successful aging, Milner explained, is maintaining mental sharpness.

“The key is up here,” he said, tapping his temple. “If we see ourselves aging well, we strive for that.” His advice extends beyond mindset; he emphasized the value of movement-based activities enhances strength and reaction time.

“Between the ages of 35 and 70, you can lose up to 50% of your strength and 75% of your power, which directly impacts balance,” he said. “Activities, like pickleball, are perfect for reaction time and agility.”

To Milner, the ASPIRE program at Passavant embodies a future-focused approach, aiming to support health in its physical, emotional, and social dimensions.

“The World Health Organization has redefined healthy aging from the absence of disease to being able to function,” he explained. “”And that’s what it is about as you get older –  being able to do the things you want to do, with the people you want to do them with and where you want to do them and to do that, most of the time, you need to able to function at a higher level.”

Milner’s presentation at Passavant almost immediately had an impact.

“Two people came to me right after the presentation ended and wanted to sign up for workouts,” said Chad Ifft, Exercise Specialist and Aquatics Lead for ASPIRE Wellness. “His message really resonated.”

“The residents I have met are filled with life,” Milner remarked about the Passavant residents he had met with. “The people I have met are filled with living and that’s probably a testament to the ASPIRE Program…They seem that they are joyful and highly appreciative of the program to help them live better.

Watch Colin’s presentation “Healthy Aging: The Great Disruptor”

Watch Colin’s interview on the Wellness Model

Watch Colin’s interview with a Passavant Resident