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- Social wellness
![Lessons for living: The Legacy Project collects and disseminates elder wisdom by Karl Pillemer, PhD-1339 Lessons for living: The Legacy Project collects and disseminates elder wisdom by Karl Pillemer, PhD-1339](/data/product/1339.jpg)
Lessons for living: The Legacy Project collects and disseminates elder wisdom by Karl Pillemer, PhD
As a professor of Human Development at Cornell University, I have spent the past 25 years studying how people develop, grow and change over the course of their adult lives. Seven years ago, this research interest led me to what I felt was a riveting idea: Why not invite older people to describe the lessons they have learned about living and make this knowledge accessible to people of all ages?
moreSocial wellness
![Blogs, social media and the Web: how to help your clients engage online by Marilynn Larkin, MA-1286 Blogs, social media and the Web: how to help your clients engage online by Marilynn Larkin, MA-1286](/data/product/1286.jpg)
Blogs, social media and the Web: how to help your clients engage online by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Recent research confirms what many members of the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) are seeing in their organizations and communities—namely, dramatic increases in the use of social networking and online networking tools. According to the nonprofit Pew Research Center in Washington, DC, social networking use among American Internet users ages 50 and older nearly doubled—from 22% to 42%—between April 2009 and May 2010. At that point, half (47%) of users ages 50–64 and one in four (26%) users ages 65 and older used social networking sites.
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![Summer camp program brings generations together by Colleen Musselman and Marjan deKok-1058 Summer camp program brings generations together by Colleen Musselman and Marjan deKok-1058](/data/product/1058.jpg)
Summer camp program brings generations together by Colleen Musselman and Marjan deKok
From field trips to gooey s’mores to arts and crafts, summer camp brings back memories that beg to be shared. So, in 2008, we launched a Grands & Kids Camp at Garden Spot Village, our nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This weeklong summer program gives residents a chance to reminisce, share their stories and enjoy a wide range of activities with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It also offers teachable moments for all dimensions of a healthy lifestyle.
moreSocial wellness
![Garden Street Grill: an elegant gourmet evening sets a community apart by Yannick Himber, BTH, and Teresa Beshwate, MPH-970 Garden Street Grill: an elegant gourmet evening sets a community apart by Yannick Himber, BTH, and Teresa Beshwate, MPH-970](/data/product/970.jpg)
Garden Street Grill: an elegant gourmet evening sets a community apart by Yannick Himber, BTH, and Teresa Beshwate, MPH
Imagine dining in the finest restaurant in town. After being seated by the maitre d’, you notice the votive candles glowing in the intimate space, jazz music playing in the background, mouth-watering aromas filling the air, and hum of friends conversing. Fresh floral arrangements adorn each table, accompanied by the finest china, an elegantly folded napkin and a stylish menu announcing a five-course meal and accompanying wine selections. Your tuxedo-clad server makes his way to your table to introduce himself and offer the featured cocktail of the evening. Your five-star meal has begun.
moreSocial wellness
![Social networks promote engagement, reduce isolation, boost health by Marilynn Larkin, MA-961 Social networks promote engagement, reduce isolation, boost health by Marilynn Larkin, MA-961](/data/product/961.jpg)
Social networks promote engagement, reduce isolation, boost health by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Professionals who serve older adults know from personal experience that their members and residents feel better when they’re socially active. Now, emerging evidence shows conclusively that this is, in fact, the case. Recent studies suggest that loneliness contributes to a range of ills, from high blood pressure to pain, depression and dementia; by contrast, social interaction boosts health and quality of life.
moreSocial wellness
![Using the Wii to foster social wellness by Andrew D. Lachman-960 Using the Wii to foster social wellness by Andrew D. Lachman-960](/data/product/960.jpg)
Using the Wii to foster social wellness by Andrew D. Lachman
Diane Savard, executive director of Aegis of Aptos, thinks she has found an activity that should keep the residents of this assisted-living community in Aptos, California, a bit more engaged and challenged—and best of all, connected to one another as well as to their relatives.
Aegis residents can no longer field grounders or serve and volley, but many are still competitive and long for the camaraderie that sports generates. Savard has set up Nintendo’s Wii Sports in the community’s activities room to give the residents a new and meaningful way to express themselves and relate to others.