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.
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.
moreGerontology
Family estrangements in later life: Understand impacts and support well-being by Karl Pillemer, PhD
Professionals who work with older people often need to understand available sources of family support. They may try to identify a "responsible relative" in the event that assistance is required. In developing a rehabilitation plan after a hospitalization, specialists wish to ascertain who might help an individual get to appointments or follow a therapeutic routine. When they learn a client has, say, two daughters who live nearby, they may feel reassured the person's support needs will be met. But in discussing these issues with the client, they sometimes encounter a strange reticence. The client may not wish to discuss her children in detail and appears uncomfortable when asked in depth about them. Or he may say something like, "Oh, we don't talk to them very much," or "Well, we've had a few problems there." The conversation stops, leaving the impression those offspring will nevertheless be available if needed. A hidden and often devasting situation can invalidate this assumption, however: The older person may be estranged from children or other relatives.
moreLeadership
Senior Theatre adapts to the pandemic: COVID-19 teaches older actors new tricks by Bonnie L. Vorenberg, BA, MS
We never thought we'd turn to online meeting software to do theatre! Perform, but not in person? No way. Then, COVID-19 changed everything. It made us pivot to new techniques and make adaptations so we could do what we've always done: use theatre to connect, inform and entertain. The most surprising discovery was that senior theatre online produces the same benefits as senior theatre in person. Theatre touches every part of us as humans, stimulating our physical, mental, psychological, cultural and emotional selves. But the social outcome of performing is the strongest. .... Against a backdrop of social restrictions and loneliness, drama groups help actors and audiences connect and performers do what they do best - entertain! It's a piece of reality that feels oh-so-good right now. Below, we share with you our story, complete with the challenging learning curve. ... Use our experiences to help you get online quickly and easily.
moreLeadership
Function: A multidimensional view by Nicola Finley, MD
What is function and how does it apply to healthy aging? We can view function in a multidimensional way similar to how we view wellness and the process of aging. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes function as the new criteria in a framework for healthy aging. The framework encompasses not only cognitive but also physical and social function, as well as how these factors are interrelated. One significant aspect of this healthy aging model is shifting away from the presence or absence of disease. Rather, this view focuses on a person's function and what the person values. This approach results in a more personalized view of healthy aging since aging is not homogenous--the process of aging will look different from one person to another. ... Professionals in the active-aging industry know that function is important to independence and quality of life for older adults. What do different dimensions of function encompass, however, and what does a multidimensional view mean? Let's explore these dimensions
moreGerontology
Aging in the time of COVID-19, part two: An ICAA interview with Age Wave's Ken Dychtwald by Colin Milner
In the 1980s, psychologist and gerontologist Ken Dychtwald, PhD, predicted a "demographic revolution" in the making. Demographic and cultural forces would converge, he believed, in an "absolutely predictable arrival, in our society and in our time," of an unprecedented demographic shift to an aging population. For this phenomenon, he coined the term age wave. And he signaled the need for society to prepare in his 1989 book Age Wave: The Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging America. Today, the renowned researcher, consultant and best-selling author of 17 books is considered one of North America's most original thinkers on the social, economic, healthcare, marketing and workforce implications of the age wave. As CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, I have long viewed Dr. Dychtwald as an early visionary whose work helped to lay the foundation for the active-aging industry and continues to this day to build it. Below is part two of an interview I conducted with Dychtwald earlier this year, in which he delves into topics ranging from challenges with healthcare, wellness and Alzheimer's, to COVID's senior living impact, to longevity, retirement and the "third age." He also ponders the question of legacy. Let's jump in.
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