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.
Topic- Program profiles
Summer camp program brings generations together by Colleen Musselman and Marjan deKok
From field trips to gooey s’mores to arts and crafts, summer camp brings back memories that beg to be shared. So, in 2008, we launched a Grands & Kids Camp at Garden Spot Village, our nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This weeklong summer program gives residents a chance to reminisce, share their stories and enjoy a wide range of activities with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It also offers teachable moments for all dimensions of a healthy lifestyle.
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Conductorcise: keeping older adults 'engaged, thinking and in motion'
If you were looking for an active-aging poster child, you might choose David Dworkin. In 2002, at age 68, Dworkin founded a unique “symphonic aerobics” program, which has since become internationally recognized. Conductorcise®—a Sound Workout for Mind, Body and Soul—is “a symphony performance, music history lesson and aerobics workout all rolled into one,” suggests The Times-Picayune, New Orleans’ daily newspaper.
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Country Meadows' Fitness Walking Trail maximizes residents' abilities and independence
The Fitness Walking Trail “was a creative way to provide a series of exercises that are specific to the typical challenges our residents take on each day,” says Executive Director of Fitness Kim Eichinger, who designed the program. “We observe our residents during outings, special events and daily activities to determine what type of movements are becoming difficult for them. Then we select exercises for our trail (a directed walking path) that simulate these activities.” Adds Eichinger, “The trail has been a very versatile tool for demonstrating to the residents areas where they are strong, as well as areas for improvement.”
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Movement is Medicine: increasing awareness of the healthy aging prescription by Holly Botsford
The health benefits of exercise have been heavily researched, prominently and widely documented, and broadly disseminated. Of all the benefits, however, one key advantage is a clear fit for older adults: Age-related changes can be reversed or slowed through exercise.
The research is conclusive. In a study led by Lynn F. Cherkas, PhD, of King’s College London, telomeres (aging indicators that shorten with aging) were investigated in 2,401 pairs of healthy twins. The research revealed that physical activity correlated with increased telomere length, which equals increased longevity.
Program profiles
Good Samaritan's harp therapy program addresses residents' needs
In 2008, the Albert Lea location introduced a therapeutic harp music program that is inherently resident centered. The harp practitioner is available to visit residents on an individual basis (and their families, if desired). Her task is to become attuned to each resident and to customize the session to address the person’s specific needs at that moment. The result is a service that provides multidimensional benefits. To find out more, the Journal on Active Aging® recently asked Theresa Thorland to describe Good Samaritan’s therapeutic harp music program and how it works.
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Achieving the Pinnacle: NuStep honors peak performers in older-adult wellness
The winners of the 2009 awards competition are San Joaquin Gardens, of Fresno, California, in the senior living category; and Senior Center Inc., of Charlottesville, Virginia, in the senior center division. Each received a NuStep T5XR Recumbent Cross Trainer. In addition, NuStep provided travel and hotel for a representative of each organization to attend the 2008 American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) Conference, where the award-winners were recognized. As of press time, plans are also underway for presentations at the two sites in February.
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