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.
Active Aging Week: "Redefine active" with engaging life experiences
If your organization has yet to register as a host site for this year's Active Aging Week, why not get involved? Active Aging Week is the annual celebration of aging and active living that we all look forward to each year. It's the activities you provide that promote wellness, fun and friendship in your neighborhood or community. And it's the spotlight you shine on how to live well at any age by staying positively engaged in all aspects of life. Started by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) in 2003, Active Aging Week has grown with your help from a grassroots initiative into a global movement. ... The experiences of Active Aging Week remind us that every generation contributes to a vibrant, strong society (see the sidebar for an overview of what some hosts did last year). In 2019, Active Aging Week will take place October 1-7. This year's theme, "Redefining Active," highlights the fact that aging actively is about so much more than physical activity.
moreICAA initiatives
Practices to optimize skin health by Amy Henderson, RN, BSN
The changes in physical appearance are subtle at first: a softer jawline, a fuller neck and a few persistent smile lines around the eyes. A sideways glance in the mirror reveals a silhouette that resembles someone older--perhaps your mother, your father. You realize, however, that indeed it is you. And your appearance has changed with the passage of time. Our clients likely have experienced many such moments over the years. With age, several intrinsic and extrinsic factors--including decreased hormone levels, genetic history, lifestyle choices and environmental surroundings--contribute to changes in the skin's quality. ... In a society that still attaches a stigma to aging and a double standard that affects women in particular, physical changes to the skin can have a significant impact on a person's overall self-image and feelings of self-worth. These physical changes also increase the risk for skin conditions. ... Skin care [and lifestyle] practices...not only promote healthier skin, but also support wellness and graceful aging.
moreGerontology
Reality check: What you need to know about products promoted for Alzheimer's disease by Marilynn Larkin, MA
About 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, making it a "global epidemic," according to the Chicago, Illinois-based Alzheimer's Association, whose mission focuses on Alzheimer's care, support and research. And yet, as nations ramp up efforts to support those with Alzheimer's, many people have misperceptions about the disease. For example, the Association found in a 2014 survey that 59% of individuals around the world incorrectly believe that Alzheimer's disease is a "typical part of aging" or that you have to have a family history of the disease to be at risk. The reality is, scientists are still not sure what causes the disease, though much research in this area is underway. Other misperceptions have to do with treatments. Currently, there are no treatments that can prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease or slow its course. Answers are coming, but we're not there yet, according to Heather Snyder, PhD, senior director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimer's Association.
moreCognitive health
Telomeres: Are they the Fountain of Youth, or markers for the benefits of living well? by Cindy Geyer, MD, ABIM, ABOIM, ABLM
Since ancient times, explorers have sought the restorative powers of the proverbial Fountain of Youth. In more recent times, clinical research on cellular longevity is targeting a genetic substance called the telomere, which is entering the spotlight as a potential key to slowing-or even preventing-the more common health challenges of aging. ... [T]elomere length could provide significant clues to healthy aging, not only helping to predict and forestall diseases such as cancers, but also motivating lifestyle changes that might delay senescence [or cell aging].
moreGerontology
Dance fitness: Older adults give it a whirl by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, CDE, ACSM-RCEP, FACSM
We don't have to be on "Dancing with the Stars" or an elite athlete to have a great time getting in the groove. From simple to advanced choreography, social dance-type moves are being incorporated more and more into fitness programs for older adults, promoting popular and proven health benefits for mind, heart, body and soul. Dancing styles of all kinds-including waltz, tango, folk dance and salsa-along with physical fitness types of fun movement like Zumba are all providing opportunities for participants to reap the rewards of enjoyable activities that also promote balance, movement quality (like walking or stepping forward and backward) and better sensory and motor perceptions.
morePhysical wellness
Disruption-proof your senior housing business by Chip Conley, MBA
At a time when the "silver tsunami" should be a huge boon for senior housing developers in the United States and beyond, occupancy rates have trended downward for the past 10 quarters. There are countless examples of industries, from railroads to retail real estate, that fell into a slump exactly when consumer demand was spiking. Why? Often, they were too product or process oriented, and not enough consumer oriented, while their core customers' needs evolved over time. How does this rationale apply to the senior housing industry? Beyond well-known operational challenges like labor expenses and construction costs, even some newer, more innovative models may not be addressing the critical larger question: What do today's older customers really want in a housing environment? ... Maybe it's time we reimagine the senior housing model by using the lens of a serial disruptor in the hospitality industry.
more
