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.
"Changing the Way We Age": ICAA supporters spotlight achievements
Active-aging professionals may work in different settings and with diverse populations, but they share a passion for improving older-adult quality of life. Members and supporters of the International Council on Active Aging also share the vision of Changing the Way We Age. Since ICAA's launch in fall 2001, on-the-ground efforts by the collective ICAA Community have made a difference in the lives of millions of people worldwide. This article shares stories from four ICAA Community members.
moreICAA initiatives
Mentoring to sharing memories. Green Hills connects Techy Teens with Savvy Seniors
At Green Hills Community in West Liberty, Ohio, the focus is on "enriching all seasons of life." The nonprofit, faith-based senior living and care provider offers services for the spectrum of older adults. Residents have the community's support in enhancing multidimensional wellness, with "enriching life experiences" and lifestyles that promote healthy, active living. In 2015, Green Hills introduced the Techy Teens--Savvy Seniors program, which brought high school students and older adults together in an exchange that expanded over time and created relationships and understanding between the generations.
moreInnovator awards
Ignite your passion with Active Aging Week
People may live fully-with verve, vigor and vitality-at any age and regardless of health conditions. That's the message and the reality that Active Aging Week highlights each year during the last full week of September. Led by the International Council on Active Aging with support from national sponsors, Active Aging Week celebrates the positivity of aging today and promotes healthy, active living in communities and neighborhoods across North America and beyond. The campaign reaches adults ages 50 and older where it especially counts-at the local level. All kinds of organizations serve as local hosts for the weeklong festival, offering activities and events that encourage people to try something new and perhaps embrace a wellness lifestyle. Why not plan to participate and host events in your area?
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Enhancing wellness: Maximize use of indoor/outdoor environments by Marilynn Larkin, MA
A card table that sits vacant most of the day... long empty corridors ...a patch of land lying fallow outside a residence ... These are common sights in settings that serve older adults - yet, those unused and often unsightly indoor and outdoor spaces can be transformed into inviting venues that motivate members or residents to increase physical activity, socialization, and emotional and spiritual wellness. ... For industry professionals who seek to enhance older-adult wellness, exploring use of space is an avenue that can yield results.
moreCommunity design
Recognizing and addressing malnutrition in our communities by Alexandra Lewin-Zwerdling, PhD, MPA, Judy Simon, MS, RD, LDN, and Mary Walsh, MEd
Regular activity is fundamental to healthy aging. Yet so is our diet, and one that lacks key nutrients has an enormous effect on our ability to be active and remain independent. Many studies document the connection between diet and activity, underscoring that the two must work together for us to achieve a healthy lifestyle, especially as we age. Poor diets can increase bone loss, reduce cognitive function, delay recovery times and prolong periods of hospitalization; they can also accelerate loss of muscle mass. ... The state of being poorly nourished, commonly known as malnutrition, remains a prevalent public health problem particularly for older adults. Yet for many aging experts, it goes largely unnoticed.
moreHealth conditions
Lessons learned from benchmarking wellness by Patricia Ryan, MS, and Colin Milner
What can organizations dedicated to older-adult quality of life learn about the value of wellness programming from the 99 communities with independent and assisted levels of living, as well as 3,000 residents, who participate in the ICAA/ProMatura Wellness Benchmarks? The system aggregates data from resident survey responses and outcomes measures to reveal the impact of wellness programming from a business perspective. It also takes note of how participation affects quality of life for residents.
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