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.
Creating purpose-driven communities by Kay Van Norman, MS
Senior living products and services have evolved steadily over the past 20 years. Medical model nursing homes are giving way to person-centered approaches and models such as the Eden Alternative. Assisted living and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) have beautiful spaces, lovely grounds and excellent food served restaurant style. Whole-person wellness has emerged as a gold standard for quality programming, and senior living professionals are dedicated to improving resident quality of life (Edelman & Montague, 2006).
moreConstruction
ICAA at eight: helping the industry with new strategies to change the way we age by Marilynn Larkin, MA
From 2000 to 2003, I was editor of a monthly trade publication for clinicians and providers in assisted living and nursing facilities. In that capacity, in 2001, I started receiving press releases from a new organization, the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA). It seemed like an interesting startup, but nothing I had to pay attention to. My perspective changed over the next few years, however, as those press releases documented some impressive partnerships between ICAA and established organizations dealing with the needs of adults over 50, and programs aimed at “Changing the way we age®.”
moreICAA initiatives
Living well with dementia: a framework for programs by Bob Laventure, MEd, and Claudine Aherne, MA
The role of physical activity in the prevention of dementia has been previously outlined in the Journal on Active Aging®. In his 2005 article on strategies for keeping the brain healthy, neurologist William Rodman Shankle, MD, cited a study showing that regular exercise reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by about 50%. Our understanding is also increasing about the links between regular physical activity, the prevention of dementia and related risk factors. However, less is known about the potential of physical activity and exercise to impact upon the lives of people with dementia.
moreWellness
Conductorcise: keeping older adults 'engaged, thinking and in motion'
If you were looking for an active-aging poster child, you might choose David Dworkin. In 2002, at age 68, Dworkin founded a unique “symphonic aerobics” program, which has since become internationally recognized. Conductorcise®—a Sound Workout for Mind, Body and Soul—is “a symphony performance, music history lesson and aerobics workout all rolled into one,” suggests The Times-Picayune, New Orleans’ daily newspaper.
moreInnovator awards
The Dashaway: inspiring older adults to lead more independent, active lives
It has been said that necessity is the mother of all invention. And, in the case of the Dashaway’s development, that couldn’t be more true.
Stanley Dashew, the company founder, suffers from a number of ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, degenerative scoliosis, and spinal stenosis. In 2006 he was bedridden and living in constant pain. Prescription pain medications were further complicating his condition.
Innovator awards
Three steps to creating empowered cultures by G. Richard Ambrosius, MA
The act of “retiring” can profoundly threaten a person’s sense of significance and may even influence future direction and life satisfaction. When an older adult loses a position and the recognition that accompanies it, there may no longer be opportunities for that person to experience personal significance and satisfaction. For many, physical concerns regarding appearance, peak performance and memory also begin to color their attitudes toward themselves and their personal value. Some individuals simply accept the stereotypes and perceptions of aging as a time of decline, and begin a downhill slide. Their beliefs about aging and retirement all too often become self-fulfilling prophecies.
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