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.
Genes and the effects of lifestyle on genetic expression by Stephen C. Brewer, MD, ABFM
Genetics is one of the most expanding and growing areas in science today. Almost 20 years ago the Human Genome Project was completed in which scientists sequenced the deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, of humans. It took over 10 years to complete that project. Now with many commercial genetic products available to the public, such as 23andMe, a person's DNA sequence can be determined in a matter of days. It is one thing, however, to know your DNA code and another to interpret what the code means. This is where a significant amount of research is being done today. Genes, the basic physical and functional unit of heredity, are the blueprints for how our bodies form and how they operate. ... How we treat our bodies often affects our genes. This is called epigenetics. It's an area of genetics that connects directly with the messages and efforts of active-aging professionals to promote healthy aging.
moreGerontology
Living well, pandemic style: How a Dallas community adapts to a new norm by Deana Lisenby, BS
Most of us probably remember the exact moment we realized life would no longer look the same. At Presbyterian Village North (PVN), the announcement came on Friday, March 13, 2020. We had just competed in a 48-hour "March Madness" CyberCycle challenge, and our community was still celebrating placing third overall as well as having three residents in the top 20 riders worldwide. At that moment, it seemed as though 2020 was shaping up to be an exciting year for our wellness program. None of us anticipated the chaos waiting to boil over into our daily lives. Fast forward to 2021, we're still navigating our way through a global pandemic. A "new normal" has become precedent: face masks, social distancing, and persistent handwashing and sanitation. Guidelines and compliance regulations change daily. As turbulence continues to reign during the COVID crisis, traditional resident programming has taken an unprecedented hiatus. Instead of focusing on what cannot be done, however, our wellness and life enrichment teams have embraced thinking outside of the box. The result is an innovative twist on the traditional lifestyle residents know and love.
moreMotivation
Boosting resident engagement, supporting staff with data-driven technology by Marilynn Larkin, MA
A June 2020 article in the journal Global Health Research and Policy highlighted the "unprecedented challenge" of the current coronavirus pandemic, particularly for older adults. According to author Bei Wu, PhD, of New York University's Aging Incubator and Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, "The outbreak of COVID-19 will have a long-term and profound impact on older adults' health and well-being. Social isolation and loneliness are likely to be one of the most affected health outcomes," she writes. "[They] are major risk factors that have been linked with poor physical and mental health status." ... Many active-aging organizations have embraced technological solutions to deal with pandemic-related restrictions that dampen social connections and engagement. ... For communities such as Juniper Village at Brookline, an award-winning continuing care retirement community in State College, Pennsylvania, Linked Senior technology is helping to bridge the gap.
moreManagement
Spas: Embracing wellness through the pandemic and beyond by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Spas have long been a wellness hub both in senior living communities and in the community at large. International Spa Association (ISPA) data from before the coronavirus pandemic showed the industry was growing overall, with total revenues over USD$18 billion, and average revenue per spa reaching $826,000 in 2018. Notably, among 6 spa types, 80% were day spas and 8.2%, medical. These are the types of facilities most likely to serve older adults, and to operate as part of an active-aging community. The pandemic forced 99% of spas to close in the first quarter of 2020, according to ISPA. However, by October, most spas had navigated the reopening process, with 90% reporting opening and receiving guests. The turnaround has been "impressive and gratifying," according to Wendy Bosalavage, spa and wellness/chief revenue officer and president of New York City-based LIVunLtd, a consultancy, amenity/spa management company and concierge company. Yet, reopening has come with "some significant transformations," she acknowledges. ... The Journal on Active Aging recently interviewed Bosalavage about where spas are heading and why they remain a necessity for the active-aging industry.
moreIndustry development
Beacons of excellence illuminate wellness as an essential way of life
COVID-19's emergence in 2020 has upended daily life in senior living communities across North America and made it more vital than ever to nurture multidimensional wellness for residents and staff. Many communities have embraced wellness as a culture shift in the last decade, prioritizing wellness-and its pursuit-as an essential way of life. Highlighting those that excel at weaving wellness into their culture, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and NuStep, LLC, have honored 25 communities with the 2020 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award for their "Best in Wellness" achievements. ... The Beacon Award goes to communities that successfully foster a wellness culture and an environment that supports wellness for all who live and work there. The top five communities also receive the ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award for their particularly exceptional contributions.... A full list of the 2020 award-winners follows.
moreBusiness profiles
Well living: An integrative approach to depression in older adults by Diane Downing, MD, Amy Hawthorne, MS, LMFT, Stephanie Ludwig, PhD, MDiv, MA, Lisa Powell, MS, RDN LDN, and Mike Siemens, MS, RCEP
Depression has a devastating impact on society. Affecting more than 264 million people worldwide, this illness is "a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease" and "a leading cause of disability worldwide," according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an estimated 10% of adults ages 18 and older has a depressive disorder. The incidence of depression increases to 13 - 19% of women and 11 - 14% of men among adults ages 65 and beyond. ... A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication may be effective in addressing depression. However, older adults may be reluctant to add yet another prescription medication. Instead, they may want to explore effective integrative approaches to boosting mood. Research has shown that lifestyle factors including nutrition, sleep and exercise play a significant role in preventing and mediating the effects of depression. Connection with others and spirituality are also powerful contributors to positive affect.
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