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.
Brain-health literacy: A strategy to inspire brain-healthy lifestyles by Jeffrey Rossman, PhD, and Cornelia Lenherr, MD
As our population ages, the incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia steadily increases. MCI, characterized by minor but measurable declines in cognitive abilities, increases a person's risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia. Progressing to a dementia diagnosis is not inevitable, however. ... It is now generally acknowledged that the roots of neurodegeneration--that is, deterioration in the brain's nerve function and structure--begin at least 20-30 years before dementia symptoms are noticeable. By the time a diagnosis is made, reversal of the disease process in Alzheimer's and other dementias is currently considered unattainable. While no cure exists for these conditions, intervention can reduce symptoms. Further, for those with mild or subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), intervention may profoundly affect the progression of brain degeneration and symptoms of cognitive impairment. ... Recent research has explored the influence on brain health of modifying specific lifestyle factors and reducing cardiovascular disease risks. ... Through a brain-healthy literacy model, participants learn which lifestyle practices support brain health, why they exert a beneficial impact, and how to enjoyably and sustainably engage in those practices.
moreCardiovascular health
Crusading against ageism in America's presidential elections by Beth Witrogen, BA, MJ
Dr. S. Jay Olshansky is on a mission: He wants to eviscerate ageism in the US presidential elections. A professor of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Olshansky specializes in the upper limits to human longevity and biodemography, a scientific field he created with Dr. Bruce Carnes in 1992. He is unabashedly vocal about the way age has been "weaponized" in this election cycle. And, he urges, it must stop, "because science shows conclusively that chronological age is not relevant for either candidate...." As corresponding author of "Projected lifespan and healthspan of Joe Biden and Donald Trump before the 2020 election" (a special feature to the Journal on Active Aging available online), Olshansky directed a team of scientists and physicians to determine if Biden and Trump could survive the next four-year term. The team used independent biodemographic assessments of the two candidates' personal attributes--inherited and acquired risk factors for health and longevity--and public medical data that was evaluated independently by three physicians with expertise in human aging. The Journal on Active Aging spoke with Dr. Olshansky about his new research, why both candidates may be "super agers" and his message for those who would politicize aging.
moreCulture Change
Delaying Parkinson's with regular exercise by Jackie Russell, RN, BSN, CNOR
Probably the best-known person living today with Parkinson's disease is actor, advocate and author Michael J. Fox. Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's at age 29 in 1991, he retired from acting in 2000, the same year he launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. While the foundation has transformed the Parkinson's landscape over the past two decades, Fox has inspired people with his return to acting, his activism and his best-selling books. In his new publication, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, the 59-year-old announces plans to retire again from acting due this time to declining health. But he also writes about the years after his first retirement, during which he worked with a movement disorder specialist who focused on nutrition, physical therapy and fitness. That time, he says, was "restorative, less stressful," enabling him "to get a better grip on the disease." Diagnosed typically in older people, Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, a disorder characterized by "loss of neurons [nerve cells] in the central nervous system, which leads to deficits in specific brain functions.".... What causes Parkinson"s remains largely unknown. There is no cure. Symptomatic treatment options include medications, surgical therapy, lifestyle modifications and physical activity.
moreExercise
Preventing falls: Interventions to reduce fall risk by Mike Siemens, MS
In our youth, we walk, run, jump and skip effortlessly. Navigating stairs, obstacles and slippery surfaces are a welcome challenge. Our brain, nervous system and muscles work in remarkable harmony to guide us safely through almost any terrain we choose to conquer. As we age, a constellation of factors conspire to challenge our balance and coordination. Simply put, if we want to remain confident on our feet and do our best to avoid falls, training, practice and attention to factors that impact balance are necessary after age 50. ... [A] great deal of research has been done in the area of fall prevention and many effective strategies identified...that are proven to be effective in reducing falls by up to 67%. As health, wellness and active-aging communities, it is imperative to communicate these strategies to the general public, so we can reduce the significant impact falls have on quality of life. Let’s take a closer look at these strategies.
moreFalls management
Disaster preparedness: Impact of the pandemic by Marilynn Larkin, MA
The COVID-19 pandemic blindsided the world in 2020 with a disaster of unparalleled proportions. No nation was prepared for the devastating illness and the losses of life and income. In North America, skilled nursing centers and long-term care residences such as nursing homes were particularly hard hit, prompting health officials to decide early on that COVID-19 mainly affected “old” people. But the World Health Organization (WHO) said in April what was already becoming known based on new infections rates among young people, namely that this statement is “factually wrong.” Even though age remains an important risk factor, the virus is affecting everyone. Certainly, the pandemic warrants special precautions in terms of disaster preparedness and management. Nonetheless, other disasters--earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, for example--continue to occur and are happening at the same time. ... [O]rganizations need to be prepared for any additional disaster that may strike while still maintaining precautions against COVID-19, and for any pandemic “surges” in infection rates that may require additional protective strategies.
moreManagement
Aging in the time of COVID-19, part one: An ICAA interview with Age Wave’s Ken Dychtwald by Colin Milner
My journey into what would become the active-aging field began when I was in my 30s. After more than a decade in the fitness industry, I joined a well-known manufacturer of fitness equipment whose clients included senior living communities. Trips to these communities included conversations with staff who embraced the emerging evidence for the benefits of exercise for older adults, including the frailest elders. These professionals were often the sole believers within their organizations. ... Active aging has grown into a movement on the shoulders of individuals who have made a difference by challenging the status quo, conducting or disseminating research about aging, and envisioning new possibilities in cultural and demographic shifts. Among its seminal figures is psychologist, gerontologist, Age Wave CEO and best-selling author of 17 books, Ken Dychtwald, PhD.... In June 2020, as COVID-19 continued to upend daily life, Dr. Dychtwald and I discussed aging in this unique and unsettling time. Let’s dive in to part one of what turned into a wide-ranging interview about life, aging, generational identity and legacy.
more
