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.
Exercise following stroke: Start survivors on the road to recovery by Marianne Shaughnessy, PhD, CRNP
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. Each year, more than 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke; approximately one every 40 seconds. Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability for the 6.4 million survivors in the US today. After age 55, the chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life.
Rehabilitation and wellness professionals are in the best position to help these stroke survivors attain and maintain optimal levels of health and function. Each type of professional has a role to play.
Adaptive exercise
Food choices for weight management
Overweight and obesity are becoming a major health concern for people of all ages, including midlife and older adults. From the viewpoint of health, overweight and obesity increase the risks for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep problems, osteoarthritis and other conditions (National Institutes of Health).
Although the causes of overweight and obesity can be complex, the World Health Organization summarizes major causes as a global shift towards diets of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients, and a trend towards decreased physical activity.
Nutrition
Healthy eating made fun by Melissa Thoemke
The idea sprang from a story told by a Panorama retirement community resident who was recovering from open heart surgery. He was trying to figure out why his daughter was angry with him for eating a cheeseburger at a local fast food restaurant.
This “aha!” moment turned into Food 2 B Fit, a nutrition program led by myself, the fitness coordinator, and the catering manager, Meggin Turk, at Panorama, a continuing care retirement community in Lacey, Washington.
Nutrition
Best practices in promoting physical activity by Patricia Ryan, MS
When it comes to quality of life, it’s hard to imagine anything more powerful, accessible and inexpensive than physical activity. Important throughout the lifespan, older adults particularly benefit from physical movement.
Functional independence, falls prevention, bone health, cardiovascular health and prevention or management of chronic disease leap to mind as benefits. There are psychological advantages, too, such as feeling better, and an association with cognitive performance.
Motivation
Innovative programs encourage participation
Each year, ICAA recognizes unique wellness programs with an Innovator Award. At the ICAA Active Aging Conference, the 2009 Innovators shared their award-winning program during a lively panel session.
moreMotivation
Techniques to encourage progress by Kelly A. Stranburg, MEd
During this millennium of wellness, we strive daily to guide older adults down the best path towards greater health and an improved quality of life. We implement programs within each of the dimensions of wellness with the ultimate goal of meeting the personal needs and interests of our residents while keeping them engaged in life and functioning at their highest practicable level.
Encouraging residents to participate in a variety of exercise classes is a positive avenue for helping them achieve this goal. Focusing on strength, balance, mobility and flexibility can lead to improvement or maintenance of independence. Without guidance and encouragement, residents will not improve these physical components and thus not be able to perform simple activities of daily living over time.
