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.
Council on Aging Learning Advantages: helping older adults remain active and independent at home
When health and wellness professionals hear the term active aging, what do they picture? Older adults enjoying physically active lifestyles? Individuals engaging fully in life? People participating in whole-person wellness activities? Active aging is all of these things, and more.
The 2002 Active Aging policy framework from the World Health Organization focuses on both the opportunities and challenges of aging in today’s world. This framework not only champions opportunities for older adult participation and growth, but also encourages support—specifically the provision of “adequate protection, security and care when [older adults] require assistance.”
Innovator awards
Always independent, never alone: serving the needs of gay and lesbian elders by Brian de Vries, PhD, Catherine F. Croghan, MS, MPH, RN, and Terri Worman, BA
Today, the first cohort of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults is approaching later life, forging a path through a terrain of uncertainty with little historical reference to serve as a guide.1 Perhaps not surprisingly, documentation about this population is modest, although this is changing.
moreGerontology
Young at heart: ballroom dancing for older adults by Henry G. J. G. Godzik, CFP, CPTS, CSNA, ACE
Ballroom dancing, which used to be considered solely a social pursuit, has blossomed into one of the most entertaining and fun ways to socialize and stay fit. Once associated with movie clips of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, ballroom dancing is increasingly part of the mainstream of everyday life. The popularity of movies such as Strictly Ballroom, Shall We Dance and Take the Lead, as well as the television series Dancing with the Stars, shows that ballroom dancing has become a hit with people of all ages—especially older adults.
morePhysical wellness
Twelve tips for becoming a great salesperson by Colin Milner
In the heart of the jungle, salespeople whirl around fires to the pulsating rhythms of the drums, yelling repeatedly “Buy from me!” A sales manager, doubling as a witch doctor, stirs a magic brew. This elixir enables salespeople to cast spells over clients, putting these customers into trances where they open their wallets to whatever the salespeople offer. That’s the secret of sales success, right?
moreSales
The energy cost of water fitness by Mary E. Sanders
The natural resistance and buoyancy of water make it a safe, effective exercise environment in which to build muscular endurance and expend kilocalories (kcal) for energy. By minimizing the pounding impact of gravity against the joints, water provides a more comfortable setting for vigorous exercise. This makes the aquatic workout an excellent option for many older adults, including those focused on weight loss or maintenance.
moreProgram design
Boomer factoids are barriers to business success by G. Richard Ambrosius, MA
When talking about Russia in a 1939 radio address, Sir Winston Churchill said, “It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” This is also a good description of the future impact of the Baby Boom, in spite of the growing horde of Boomer experts offering such definitive conclusions as:
• Boomers will be teenagers forever—age 60 is the new 30.
• Boomers will be a drain on the economy and overwhelm the healthcare systems.
• Boomers will reinvent retirement.
• Boomers will not tolerate stereotypes.
