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.
Quick guide to pedometers by Patricia Ryan
When encouraging people to increase physical activity by walking, two valuable tools are pedometers and goals. By wearing a pedometer, individuals can significantly increase the number of steps they take. After all, the readout on the pedometer enables individuals see how much they walk. A goal gives people a reason to increase that number, whether as an individual pursuit or as part of a group challenge.
Pedometers vary in accuracy. Attaching the pedometer in the best possible position and consistently placing it in the same spot will help insure that the counts, no matter how accurate, reflect the individual’s steps.
Walking
Fun activities from Active Aging Week
Each year during Active Aging Week, ICAA’s annual health promotion event held during the last full week of September, organizers show they are experts at blending old favorites with creative new ideas. They also are committed to planning single and multiple activities that integrate the dimensions of wellness.
moreICAA initiatives
Programming through the dimensions of wellness by Susan Richie
Many communities and organizations are enhancing their current fitness and wellness programs by emphasizing the dimensions of wellness. Why incorporate the dimensions into your program? Making the dimensions of wellness the foundation of programming allows you to market your programs and services to everyone.
moreProgram management
Outdoor walks of Active Aging Week
A group walk is a popular activity during Active Aging Week. For the past few years, professionals who organized walks have shown how much a walk can fulfill the week’s goals of fun and education.
Hosts have geared walks to people who are very diverse: experienced hikers, competent walkers and beginners; people using wheelchairs, canes and walkers; family members from infants to grandparents; people with dementia and disabilities; caregivers and staff members. Politicians, entertainers, high school bands and other local celebrities have joined the event.
Special events
Water sports build participation by Jonathan D. Souder, MS
If you have a pool, there are two reasons to add games to your water fitness program: Fun and retention.
After teaching water exercise classes for two years, I realized the regular participants needed variety. One day I brought a beach ball to class and we started tossing it. While treading water with no flotation aids, we volleyed the ball and tried to keep it going.
Aquatics
Small changes encourage walking by Dori Rosenberg, MPH, MS and Jacqueline Kerr, PhD
Increasing physical activity among older adults is one step that can help prevent and treat many health concerns, including high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and depression. Walking is an excellent activity to promote to older adults because it is easy for many to do, inexpensive, can be done alone or with others, builds strength and balance, and is gentle on the body.
Older adults living in retirement communities have much to gain from increasing their physical activity as they may be older, more frail and less active than those living in the community.
