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.
Leading with lifestyle for marketing and sales success by Kimberly Hulett, BA, and Erin Read, BA
"The Boomers are coming! The Boomers are coming!" For a decade, this has been a common theme of conference presentations, media headlines and board meetings. Many of those offering housing and services to actively aging adults have felt stumped by this "new" consumer--the 50- or 60-something Baby Boomer. The reality is that with the rising age of entry for residents in continuing care retirement communities and other senior living settings, the "new" consumer is just as likely to be a 70-something member of the Silent Generation. There is one marketing technique that works with active adults of both cohorts. Lifestyle.
moreManagement
Dr. Linda Fried illuminates aging research by Marilynn Larkin, MA
"We’ve added 30 years to human life expectancy [over the past century], in part through intentional human investment, including through science," says geriatrician and epidemiologist Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH, dean of the Mailman School of Public Health at New York’s Columbia University. "We’ve also demonstrated that many of our expectations about those 30 years, such as ‘They’ll be a disaster,’ don’t have to be true." ... Fried states, "The purpose of research and science is to have a formal process to pose the big questions that could lead to a better future--questions that matter, but to which we don’t know the answers."
moreGerontology
Wellness Works: promoting healthy lifestyles for Freedom Senior Management employees
Freedom Senior Management has a history that spans decades. For over 30 years, "the executive leadership have been active in the senior living industry as owners, marketers, developers and operators of independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing facilities," reveals Chief Operating Officer Gail Chase. The Sarasota, Florida-based organization currently has ... "a total employee population of over 500." Freedom embraces employee wellness as essential to resident wellness, states Jennifer Walker, director of human resources and organization development.
"We recognize that in order to promote wellness among residents in our communities, we must embrace the value of looking after ourselves and our families."
Innovator awards
Brainstorming for culture change by Kelly A. Stranburg, MEd, CEP, CSCS
At Sharon Towers in Charlotte, North Carolina, we have decided to shift our culture to position our community for continued success. ... We believe that, within Sharon Towers, the time has come to create a significant cultural change that positively impacts well-being for residents, older adults throughout the Charlotte market, and team members. The task force designed to spearhead this initiative has met many times to brainstorm possible answers to questions and what direction we should take even to start.
moreCulture Change
Active Aging Week 2016: explore the possibilities
Experiences that help people to grow, learn, improve their health and discover meaningful new interests are part of a vibrant, active lifestyle-and Active Aging Week. A health promotion campaign that celebrates the positivity of aging and living well, Active Aging Week features a bounty of fun, educational events and activities offered by local hosts in a welcoming atmosphere. In 2015, an estimated 3,000-plus organizations in six countries hosted participants for a week of adventure. This year’s campaign encourages hosts and participants to "Explore the possibilities" to grow and live well that each day brings.
moreICAA initiatives
ICAA Champion: introducing Wayne Senior Center
Wayne Senior Center has served the residents of Pennsylvania's Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties for more than 40 years. The nationally accredited senior center occupies a site near the "Main Line" train station in Wayne, an unincorporated community that is part of Radnor Township. Some 30,000 citizens live in the township, which encompasses suburban population centers like Wayne, as well as rural areas, according to its website. ... Wayne Senior Center's educational and recreational activities "ensure meaningful leisure time, promote health and wellness, encourage an active lifestyle, and provide a friendly environment for socialization." Executive Director Susan Shapiro adds, "Our center is the place where seniors become empowered to grow, develop and get involved."
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