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.
The spa experience: a snapshot of older adults and the spa industry by Lynne McNees
As a health or wellness professional who works with older adults, you want your clients to maintain an active, happy life as they age. One resource available to help your organization promote healthy aging is the spa industry.
Through a variety of programs and services, spas foster physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. Adding a spa (or spa elements) to your facility will increase your offerings for aging adults, helping them enjoy additional wellness benefits. A spa also will create a further profit center for your organization.
Trends
The Boomers at 60: how the aging of a generation is changing industries by Brent Green
On January 1, 2006, the oldest Baby Boomers started turning 60. For the next 19 years, one Boomer will turn 60 every 7.5 seconds. This demographic tidal wave will affect institutions and businesses with greater impact than the aging of any previous generation. And mature values and trends will dominate marketplace realities. Here are five ways that Boomers will continue to change institutions and businesses as the vanguard reaches 60.
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Re-creating 'the backyard' in senior communities by John Paul Carman, FASLA
If asked to choose an outdoor environment in which you feel comfortable spending time, would you, like many people, say your backyard? Think back to when you were growing up. Did you play with friends in your backyard? Were there picnics and barbeques with friends and neighbors? Did you have a garden where you grew vegetables with your grandfather or raised roses with your grandmother? These are great memories that you might try to re-create whenever possible in the places you live.
moreCommunity design
Promoting physical activity in ethnic communities: perspectives from older adults by Julie Walwick, MSW, Sharyne Shiu-Thornton, PhD, Basia Belza, PhD, RN, Sheryl Schwartz, MPA, and James P. LoGerfo, M
Increased physical activity is a key strategy for preventing and managing chronic diseases among older adults. However, most adults—particularly older adults—do not get the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Elders from ethnic minority communities are even less likely to meet this goal.
Yet many ethnic minority groups in the United States have a high prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Individuals in these communities are also more likely than Caucasians to die from these conditions. Additionally, numerous non-English-speaking immigrants feel isolated, and they are often misinformed about their health status as they lack healthcare providers from their cultural backgrounds. Given these realities, physical activity programs offer obvious benefits for older adults in ethnic minority communities, but programs for these men and women are rare.
Social marketing
Hip School improves function in hip patients by Phil Page, PT, ATC, MS, CSCS, and Michael E. Rogers, PhD, CSCS, FACSM
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability in older adults. Twenty-one million people in the United States have osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, which produces pain and stiffness in the joints. Disability occurs most frequently when the disease affects the spine, knees or hips.
moreAdaptive exercise
At the pinnacle: recognizing excellence in older adult wellness
Now in its eighth year, the NuStep Pinnacle Award salutes organizations that are transforming people’s lives and promoting optimal health, regardless of age. Created by NuStep, Inc., the Michigan-based maker of exercise equipment, this awards program was among the first to acknowledge and reward organizations that offer high-quality programs and wellness facilities for aging individuals. The Pinnacle Award still strives today to motivate organizations to make the most of their older adult health and wellness programs.
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