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.
Maple Leaf Quest: How Kerby Centre used Active Aging Week to bookend a yearlong walking initiative
Every year local hosts develop customized schedules of Active Aging Week activities that show remarkable creativity and produce positive life experiences. One hope expressed for the annual celebration of aging and living well is that older adults will try something that engages them meaningfully and encourages them ultimately to adopt a wellness practice or lifestyle. For hosts, the challenge can lie in translating interest in demonstrations and free activities into ongoing participation. One agency in Calgary, Canada, found an answer to this challenge in a wellness initiative bookended by consecutive Active Aging Weeks.
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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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Ortrude White: A community learns the power of participation by Lisa Kiely, BFA, CPT, CAD, CEHA
As an active-aging strategist at Lenbrook, a Georgia life-plan community in the heart of Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, I work with my team to plan and coordinate events with and for our residents. Many of these events involve unique performances, special lectures or interesting activities that I always try to capture on film or video. One day in 2016, when my scheduled photographer did not show up, I asked Lenbrook resident Myles Smith, an accomplished photographer, to help out. Little did I know this simple request would, in time, make a meaningful difference in the lives of Myles and his wife Ortrude, as well as to our community.
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"Ignite your passion": Hosts share what they did for Active Aging Week 2017
Whether through host reports or emails, websites or blogs, traditional or social media, Active Aging Week hosts reported on what they did for Active Aging Week 2017 and shared stories of meaningful events. To review all these offerings is to be impressed anew at the array of fun, engaging and educational opportunities available to participants. Featured are 10 mini-profiles and a sampling of news to give a flavor of the week.
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Inspiring wellness through Active Aging Week
A life well lived: It's a hope we all cherish. Every September, Active Aging Week illuminates that hope by highlighting our ability to live well throughout the life span and celebrating aging. Organizations, professionals, older adults and supporters of all ages come together in the last week of September to share--and be inspired by--a week of positive life experiences and can do spirit.
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Happiness and health, part one: How positive emotions affect physical well-being by Shirley Archer, JD, MA
How happy are you? The answer to this question may predict how healthy you are or how long you'll live. "Happiness science" offers strong and growing evidence, particularly over the past decade, that positive emotions impact mental and physical health, resulting not only in a better quality of life, but also a longer and healthier life. ... Today, compelled by research findings, leading health professionals look at ways to integrate efforts to promote positive well-being into healthcare and public health policy. So, how might this benefit you as an individual and as a professional who works in an active-aging setting? Here's a look at what the latest research tells us about the significant relationship between happiness and health.
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