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.
How to set up a pilates studio for the active aging by Lindsay G. Merrithew
Research surveys report that there has been an increase in specialized fitness programming for older adults over the past few years. As a result, more and more owners within the active-aging community are choosing to incorporate pilates classes into their fitness and wellness programs and/or build a studio.
Why pilates? Pilates allows exercisers to move within their limitations and can be adapted to enhance anyone’s current training routine. It is a form of exercise for all ages and stages, and a kinder, gentler exercise for the body with the benefits of strength and flexibility training.
Construction
The wellness audit: a useful tool for active-aging communities by John Rude, MS
Are any of the following scenarios true for you?
• You hear a lot of discussion at conferences about the importance of a wellness program, but you’re not certain you have the right mix of resources or the financial ability to start a program.
• You have a wellness program. You believe it’s a good beginning, but you’re not confident how to ramp it up or what the benchmarks should be to measure success.
• You’ve been using multipurpose spaces for your wellness programming for several years. However, you now want to develop a state-of-the-art facility, but sense the architect you have used for your housing projects may not have the expertise to design an age-appropriate wellness center.
Program management
Achieving the Pinnacle: NuStep honors peak performers in older-adult wellness
The winners of the 2009 awards competition are San Joaquin Gardens, of Fresno, California, in the senior living category; and Senior Center Inc., of Charlottesville, Virginia, in the senior center division. Each received a NuStep T5XR Recumbent Cross Trainer. In addition, NuStep provided travel and hotel for a representative of each organization to attend the 2008 American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) Conference, where the award-winners were recognized. As of press time, plans are also underway for presentations at the two sites in February.
moreProgram profiles
The Academy at Shell Point involves residents in lifelong learning
Located in Fort Myers on southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, Shell Point Retirement Community is an accredited continuing care retirement community blessed with an enviable waterfront setting, a reputation for excellence, and a history of continued improvement and growth. The nonprofit community, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008, attributes its foundation of success to its organizational values.
“Our community was founded by The Christian and Missionary Alliance, and while the denomination is not involved in our daily operations, we are mindful of the spiritual values that guide and inspire us,” Shell Point President Peter Dys told a local newspaper last year. “We desire to serve our residents and employees in a way that honors the whole person and respects their right to enjoy as independent a lifestyle as their health will allow.” Further, “we are committed to our residents in a way that we hope improves their well-being and enhances their lifestyle.”
Innovator awards
First Step to Active Health for Diabetes by Phil Page, PT, ATC, MS, CSCS, and Michael E. Rogers, PhD, CSCS, FACSM
Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting an estimated 180 million people worldwide, advises the World Health Organization. In the United States, 24 million people—8% of the population—have diabetes, and the number of individuals with this condition grows every year, increasing 25% in the past 6 years alone2 (see Figure 1 on page 45). In fact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently estimated that one in 3 (~30%) Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
moreDiabetes
Liquid fusion: Dive into blended shallow-water program ideas by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM
During the International Council on Active Aging’s recent conference, I presented a preconference session with educator/trainer Mary Curry in which we shared new ideas to attract land participants to water programs and add variety to offerings. We chose some of the top land-based trends in fitness—mind/body exercise, sports, and dance programs—and created the essence of these movements in water. We then organized the ideas into a “fusion” format.
more
