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.
Libraries complete the mental wellness picture by Judith Tapiero
For centuries libraries have played an important role in society as sources of knowledge and places of learning. In small towns or large cities, libraries are frequently at the center of the community, providing friendly and familiar environments for reading, learning and exchanging ideas. So, too, a library service is a valuable asset in today’s adult communities.
moreIntellectual wellness
Is laughter really the best medicine? by Marge Coalman
The health and wellness industry boasts an arsenal of tools to help us deal with the stresses of daily life. These tools include breathing exercises, time management techniques, aerobic exercise regimens, and muscle relaxation, to name a few. But we often forget to take advantage of 2 coping mechanisms we have available to us—humor and laughter.
Although used interchangeably by most people, the words humor and laughter represent different facets of well-being and refer to separate phenomena. This article looks at the differences, research findings, positive qualities and benefits of both, and how to apply them in the world of physical activity programming for older adults.
Mental health
ICAA presents the 2005 Industry Innovators
“Great ideas grow in organizations with a vision, a mind-set devoted to innovation and continuous improvement—to finding a better way every day,” says author and speaker Chic Thompson, an expert in creative leadership. Every year the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) honors the efforts of such organizations through its ICAA Industry Innovators Awards program. These awards recognize cutting-edge active aging programs, as well as the creativity and commitment to excellence of the organizations that originated them.
moreInnovator awards
How to support positive body image in older adults by Shari Feuz and Jenifer Milner
Research and case studies reveal that body dissatisfaction can persist across the life span or start during middle and later life (Feuz, 2005). This means that as a fitness or wellness professional who works with older adults, you should expect to encounter clients with negative body image, and would be wise to prepare.
Body image refers to “an individual’s psychological experience of the appearance and function of his/her body and is one aspect of an individual’s mental representation of him/herself” (Friedman et al., 2002). This complex phenomenon influences behavior and self-esteem. When someone has negative body image, it permeates all aspects of life, with extreme body dissatisfaction leading to behaviors that adversely affect physical and mental health.
Health promotion
Change minds for the better by Michael M. Merzenich, PhD
A few decades ago, most scientists believed that the human brain was hardwired in early life. Research demonstrated that the brain developed all its necessary physical structures and connections during a critical period of early child development. This led to the intuitive conclusion that normal age-related cognitive decline—those changes in behavior that arise naturally—was an unavoidable consequence of an old machine wearing down.
moreCognitive health
Active Community Environments Grass-Roots: advancing active living in the community
Research shows that community design can either encourage or discourage active living. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), based in Olympia, has embraced the potential of community design to increase physical activity, initiating the Active Community Environments Grass-Roots (ACEs) project. ACEs brings into focus older adult transportation and community design needs, and considers these needs in transportation policy decisions. Changing the environment to promote daily physical activity is intended to produce health benefits for individuals of all ages and abilities. DOH believes ACEs to be the first such project in the United States.
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