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.
Industry leaders target staffing issues
As part of ongoing efforts to develop the active aging industry, the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) brings together invited industry leaders every year to discuss mutual challenges. The association supports professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for adults over 50, and believes that unifying organizations focused on older adults benefits both the elders they reach, as well as the organizations themselves. One avenue for such collaboration is the annual Strategy Sessions. Delegates to these meetings form a think tank—a group of people who work on a common problem—not only to identify issues facing many organizations but, as importantly, to recommend solutions.
moreIndustry development
Listen to stakeholders before initiating change by Debra J. Schmidt
I was out of town last Saturday. While I was gone, my husband took our son to the pet store just for fun. On an impulse, he decided to purchase two goldfish—total investment: 59 cents.
My son called me just as I was preparing to drive back to Milwaukee and excitedly told me about our new pets. Then, my husband came on the line and asked me where our little aquarium was.
Leadership
ICAA showcases inspiring directions in active aging
Within the last decades, as individuals live longer and the ranks of the 50-plus swell, the need to promote healthy, vibrant aging among adults in midlife and beyond has led many organizations to develop products, programs and services to meet this market’s needs. Today, their offerings often support the health needs of the whole person—most commonly, in any or all of six dimensions of wellness (physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and vocational). These vehicles empower older adults to engage in life as fully as possible, helping to change the way people age in our society. And it’s that positive vision of aging that drives the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) and its members to keep building the active aging industry.
moreICAA initiatives
Brain games: Can they improve memory and cognition? by Marilynn Larkin, MA
By all accounts, the time is ripe for interventions to improve brain health. Nearly nine out of 10 people think it is possible to improve brain fitness, according to the 2006 American Society on Aging-MetLife Foundation’s Attitudes and Awareness of Brain Health Poll, which aimed to “take the pulse of the [US] public” with regard to brain health. Fifty-three percent of respondents to the poll believed brain health could improve “a lot,” while 35% believed it could improve “a little.”
moreIntellectual wellness
Active Aging Week 2007: Choose an active life
How do we encourage older adults to lead a more active lifestyle? The answer can be found among the creative opportunities provided by the many organizations that hosted Active Aging Week events. This annual celebration of healthy lifestyles for older adults is spearheaded by the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA), an association that supports professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for adults over 50. For this year’s event, retirement communities, statewide and provincial agencies, seniors centers and health clubs planned a panorama of wellness activities in the last week of September. Their goal? To encourage older adults to experience activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere.
moreHealth promotion
AARP's Web-based programs motivate age 50-plus adults to get active
With 39 million members, AARP is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Americans 50-plus—and an organization with considerable power to reach, inform and influence this group. AARP strives to help adults 50 and over “have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.” Healthy, active aging is one key focus.
Through various avenues, AARP promotes physical activity to men and women 50-plus. Efforts to educate and support AARP members include resources such as the Physical Activities Workbook, a booklet (also available in Spanish) that outlines how people can add physical activity into their daily lives, and an information-rich website. In 2004, after successful pilot projects, AARP expanded its website into a delivery mechanism for two physical activity initiatives, which thousands of 50-plus adults use today. These programs, Get Fit on Route 66 and Step Up to Better Health, integrate the motivational appeal of tracking devices with the fun of virtual adventure, encouraging users to increase their physical activity.
