Improving health later in life
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As a retired Army paratrooper, 79-year old Vernon Coffey knows to stay fit. Even though he suffered a minor stroke 13 years ago, doctors say he bounced back because he was physically active.</s>VERNON COFFEY, ACTIVE SENIOR: It's like the old saying, you know, if you don't pay now, you pay later.</s>FEIG: But seniors like Coffey are unusual. A recent study by the American Public Health Association found that almost half of older adults surveyed were aware they needed to make changes in their lifestyles to improve their health, but they said they lacked motivation, money and time to do it.</s>JENNIFER HARTIG, FITNESS COORDINATOR: We've got bridge or a trip to the movies or just something going all day long every day. And so they'll say they're retired, but they don't have time to do it. Come on, big guy.</s>FEIG: Doctors say it takes just a little effort to improve quality of health. People don't need fancy gyms or equipment to stay healthy. Just walking around the block can help. By keeping active and seeing their physicians, many seniors can avoid the early onset of heart disease, hypertension, even type 2 diabetes. In Washington, I'm Christi Feig.