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.
Death by design by Colin Milner
Life is finite. For many of us, this fact goes unrecognized until later in life. But, for Dr. Stephanie Ludwig, PhD, MA, MDiv, this was not so. At a young age Ludwig experienced the death of a sibling. This catastrophic event caused her to ask questions that many people wait until later life to explore--questions such as: Why do these things happen? Why do we live? And why do we die? In search of answers to these and other questions, Ludwig found herself on a journey of self-reflection. At 19 she declared a theology major in college, hoping to find absolute answers to her questions. She did not. Yet, this did not deter her as she sought to come to terms with her own mortality--something she says many don't do until faced with a loss. Ludwig is still exploring life, and ultimately its end, all these years later, including most recently as the former Director of Spiritual Wellness for Canyon Ranch, a global leader in the wellness movement. ... It is due to Ludwig's unique journey and training that I interviewed her for the second season of my podcast, Colin Milner Rethinks Aging With .... I reached out to her to learn how we -- as individuals and as active-aging professionals - can ensure, as best possible, that we and our residents and members, family members and friends not only live well, but die well, too. As someone who has spent decades focused on quality of life for adults ages 50+, I found the discussion profoundly meaningful. And as International Council on Active Aging CEO, I wanted to share that conversation with you. Let's dive in!
moreGerontology
Health matters to older adults: Recommendations, considerations and advice by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, and James A. Peterson, PhD, FACSM
Human aging, the process of growing up and growing older, refers to the physiological changes that individuals experience over the course of their lifespan. Why these inevitable changes occur has seemingly been debated since time eternal. Currently, more than 300 theories attempt to identify why a person's cells, tissues and organs don't last forever. Each of these efforts tries to explain why the fundamental structures of a cell decline over time. Arguably, however, more important than ascertaining why human cells don't last forever are how they decline and what can be done to slow the process. With regard to "how" cells age, no consensus exists, even though a number of theories have attempted to address this matter. One area in which a noteworthy level of agreement can be found is the issue of whether something can be done to impede the pace of the physiological decline typically associated with aging. In fact, actions can be undertaken to obstruct this downturn. Many of these steps are lifestyle-related, plausibly none more consequential than exercise. ... Based on consensus guidelines developed by a working group of world-renowned experts on aging and exercise--the task force of the International Conference of Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR), this article not only provides exercise recommendations for older adults, but also offers a review of the role of physical activity in addressing several health-related concerns that older adults often have.
moreExercise
Saluting standouts
With the global pandemic fostering an increased emphasis on the importance of preserving health and pursuing wellness, senior living communities are facing both greater expectations and opportunities. In fact, a 2018 survey conducted by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) found that 59% of senior living communities intended to shift their business model to be wellness-centered with care services--rather than traditional care-based communities with options for wellness--by 2023. For the third year, ICAA and NuStep, LLC, are celebrating this industry-shifting movement by naming 25 senior living communities in North America as the "Best in Wellness" with the 2021 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award. Designed to showcase organizations that embrace wellness as a way of life for all residents and staff, these awards recognize outstanding commitment, creativity and culture.
moreBusiness profiles
Spirit of celebration by Julie King, MS
Active Aging Week 2021, led and organized nationally by the International Council on Active Aging and presented by Humana, was a vibrant demonstration--both in-person and online--of older adults participating in the seven dimensions of wellness as fully engaged members of society. Illustrating the enthusiasm that permeates the annual event, the Active Aging Week Spirit Awards showcase local host organizations and participants as they celebrate what it means to be active. The awards capture success stories and moments in images to exemplify the multitude of ways in which people can embrace healthier, more active and engaged lives. "It's always exciting to see how organizations embody the essence of Active Aging Week each year," says Colin Milner, ICAA founder and CEO. "Spirit Award winners exemplify both the spirit of this popular celebration and the greater emphasis on aging well that's emerged during the pandemic."
moreICAA initiatives
Community environments link to cognitive aging
People are living longer than ever before, but cognitive decline threatens the quality of those later years. Now, new evidence suggests that where older adults live may help protect against dementia and Alzheimer's disease. A trio of studies from the University of Michigan (U-M) found that urban and suburban neighborhoods with opportunities for socialization, physical activity and intellectual stimulation may help preserve older adults' cognitive health. "Neighborhoods matter," says lead author Jessica Finlay, PhD. "They are important spaces for older adults, and they really impact opportunities or barriers to age well in place." A research fellow at the U-M Institute for Social Research [ISR] Survey Research Center in Ann Arbor, Finlay comments that the papers "think through how neighborhoods might encourage healthy behaviors that could in turn benefit the brain, and for Alzheimer's and dementia risks, which are among the greatest fears and greatest burdens that our aging population faces."
moreCommunity design
Workplace changes triggered by the pandemic: Implications for mental health by Marilynn Larkin, MA
A recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that as the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on mental health continues, psychologists are reporting a large increase in demand for treatment of anxiety and depression as compared with last year. Eighty-four percent of psychologists who treat anxiety disorders said they have seen an increase in demand for treatment since the start of the pandemic. That figure reflects a rise of 10% over a year ago. Demand for treatment of depression is also up. Seventy-two percent of psychologists who treat depressive disorders have seen an increase, compared with 60% in 2020. These increases are particularly evident in the workplace, with numerous organizations producing articles and guidance aimed at helping employers to become more sensitive to mental health issues, and employees to feel more comfortable seeking help. ... Given all the emerging data on workplace mental health, International Council on Active Aging CEO Colin Milner interviewed Kristin Tugman, PhD, CRC, LPC, vice president of health and productivity analytics and consulting practice for Prudential Group Insurance, in a transformative podcast on navigating workplace reentry anxiety. Tugman's work is founded on a cognitive behavioral model aimed at helping individuals overcome psychological barriers and return to productivity, as well as building psychologically healthy workplaces. In their interview, she and Milner discussed numerous current workforce concerns, including significant employee stressors. This article is based on that podcast.
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