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- Health promotion
Enhancing health, wellness and community for older LGBT adults by Marilynn Larkin, MA
About 2.4 million adults 65 and older currently identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) in the United States, and that population is expected to grow significantly in coming years, along with the entire older-adult population. Other nations will likewise see increased numbers of older LGBT adults as the Boomers age. While these individuals face the same issues as many others who are aging--social isolation, loneliness, housing affordability, and ageism--research shows they have additional concerns that can take a toll on health and wellness. Organizations dedicated to older-adult quality of life can support the vulnerable--and growing--LGBT aging population with inviting programs, supportive services and staff, and welcoming, safe places to live. Two recent initiatives that combine affordable housing with socialization and accessible services will help provide solutions.
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Prevention in active aging by Mark Liponis, MD
All too often, people feel they don't need to keep up with prevention after they reach a certain age, or once they've attained their "golden years." I've heard from many of my patients, "I don't need a colonoscopy any more," or "I made it to 75, so why do I need to watch my diet now?" There are some prevailing feelings that we might as well do what we do and let nature take its course once we've arrived at "retirement" age, or that "prevention" is something we do when we're younger to reach those later years. ... Of course, as active-aging professionals know, it's not just about the quantity of life, but also the quality. Who wants to spend their final 10 years unable to enjoy life, or being highly dependent on others? The best way that aging adults can assure a better quality of life is by taking an active role in prevention.
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Safe sex: A vital contributor to wellness and healthy aging by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Despite much evidence to the contrary, the myth that older adults don't have sex persists, sometimes even among older adults themselves, as well as those who work with them. Yet a seminal study published a decade ago in the New England Journal of Medicine documented just the opposite. After interviewing a representative sample of more than 3,000 men and women between the ages of 57 and 85, the authors found that, overall, 73% of individuals ages 57-64 were sexually active, as were 53% of those ages 65-74 and 26% of those ages 75-85. Yet even among those who acknowledge that older people are sexually active, many believe another and potentially more dangerous myth--namely, that these adults aren't at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
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What an "ignited" older adult will look like in 2035 by Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS
Mark Twain said that life would be better if we started at 80 and worked down to 18. George Burns said as he smoked his cigar, "If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." He lived vigorously for 100 years. Being the comedian he was, when asked what he would like for his 90th birthday, he said, "A paternity suit"! Both Mark Twain and George Burns were "ignited" seniors in their time who lived twice their life expectancy and thrived through their last days. Based on their birthdates, they were anomalies not only for their longevity, but also due to their profound productivity through their entire long, ignited life spans. They indeed preserved and enhanced their brains' neural networks and cognitive ability. Today, the world is facing disruptive change without precedent. We will soon have more older people than children, and centenarians are becoming commonplace. Many questions arise from these seismic demographic shifts. Can we maintain or enhance health and cognitive ability as we age? How will society address these issues? What roles will technology and science play in supporting our seniors to stay ignited? ... Let's briefly look at the demographics and science of aging before addressing the concept of an ignited senior, how society must adjust, and the impact of technology and science on the ability of our older adults to "ignite."
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Living longer younger: The Canyon Ranch Way by Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS
Canyon Ranch began as an aspiration to our founders, Mel and Enid Zuckerman, almost 40 years ago. Pioneers of the transformative wellness destination concept, the Zuckermans created an organization that has impacted the lives of millions... Today, Canyon Ranch stands as a premier global brand for destination health resorts, with the pursuit of optimal wellness accomplished in thriving, fun (and, yes, luxurious) environments. ... Like Canyon Ranch, the International Council on Active Aging has become the convener of thought leaders around healthy active aging. Our team is excited about our partnership with ICAA and the opportunity to write a column for the Journal on Active Aging since there is a unique synergy between our two organizations.
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"Healthy Aging Never Gets Old": A Wellness Institute campaign engages the community
The Wellness Institute in Winnipeg, Canada, “is an important part of the continuum of care—from prevention, to recovery and rehabilitation,” says Executive Director Casie Nishi. A “self-supporting nonprofit organization,” the certified medical fitness facility is part of (or, as it prefers, “powered by”) Seven Oaks General Hospital, an acute-care community hospital serving the northwest region of Manitoba’s capital city. In 2016, its 20th anniversary year, the Institute launched a public awareness campaign whose messages highlighted healthy aging and its benefits to all Winnipeggers.
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