Articles
The Journal on Active Aging brings articles of value to professionals dedicated to older-adult quality of life. Content sweeps across the active-aging landscape to focus on education and practice. Find articles of interest by searching the article archives in three ways: Enter a keyword in the articles search bar; click on search by topic; or type a keyword or phrase in the general search bar at the top of the page.
Measure what matters: using benchmarks as a tool for program evaluation by Patricia Ryan, MS
There are a lot of choices when designing a wellness program for older adults. What is the mix of wellness dimensions, and how can they be integrated? Should you add more classes and activities, or reduce the number? What is the appropriate level of staffing? Within the budget, where is the money spent?
moreManagement
Engaging university aging research in a continuing care retirement community by Michael J. Logan, MHA, CASP
Alex Francis gets to know his research participants—and their spouses—better than most scientists would. So, while it could have been idle chat for a participant’s wife to mention that her husband was getting a new hearing aid, it raised a red flag for Francis.
Participants don’t often know how changes in their lives might affect Francis’s research outcomes. But for a scientist studying hearing and cognition, it could have been disastrous for a participant to change hearing aids in the middle of a study. Had Francis, like many scientists, kept his distance from his research participants, he may have never known about the new hearing aid and the way it would have affected his study.
Program profiles
Urinary incontinence: offering solutions that make a difference by Susan L. Jackson, PT
Although urinary incontinence affects a significant number of women and men, most don’t talk about it. Research on this problem—a much more common health issue for women—typically focuses on females, with studies showing that only half of women ever discuss the problem with their doctor. Possible reasons include embarrassment, the belief that bladder leakage is to be expected with aging, the misconception that nothing can be done about the problem, and the fear of being directed to surgery.
moreHealth conditions
Nurturing wellness in people with dementia and their caregivers by Marilynn Larkin, MA
When my mother progressed from “mild” to “moderate” cognitive impairment, my brother and I visited a number of facilities recommended by our geriatric caseworker. Several were just as we feared—large buildings with locked doors; residents sitting in wheelchairs next to each other, but not interacting. Others had nicer environments, but would only accept individuals who didn’t have “behavior problems.” We eventually chose a cottage-style community with standard activities such as sing-alongs and bingo—better, but somehow, I wished for more.
moreProgram profiles
Living well with dementia: principles of planning into practice by Bob Laventure, MEd, and Claudine Aherne, MA
As the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias continues to rise, wellness professionals grapple with supporting health, wellness and quality of life for these individuals. The challenge for many professionals is how to provide these clients with effective wellness programming.
moreProgram design
The American Century connects residents and celebrates their life experiences
World War II. The Andrews Sisters. Norman Rockwell. USOs. Welcome to the 1940s! Many adults who live in senior living communities today came of age during that turbulent decade. And they were shaped by the events and innovations of the 20th century—“The American Century,” as it is sometimes called. In Classic Residence by Hyatt communities last year, an initiative encouraged older adults to explore these bygone eras, share their memories, and celebrate their life experiences.
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