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.
Communities for people: How Willow Valley Communities meets the 'I'm not ready' challenge by Colin Milner
At Willow Valley Communities (WVC) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the average resident age is 75.6 years—years younger than the industry average. WVC encompasses two life-plan campuses, featuring a range of townhomes, single-family and duplex villas, apartments and skilled nursing suites. Its newest neighborhood, Providence Park, has an average entry age of 69.8 years. On a recent trip to WVC, I sat down with CEO John G. Swanson to learn more about the organization’s latest development—an intergenerational clubhouse—and how it and other elements of WVC’s properties and programming contribute to a lower resident age.
moreBusiness profiles
Shawn Achor: Happiness is key to health, wellness and success by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Before getting into the field of positive psychology, Shawn Achor studied Christian and Buddhist ethics while working towards a master’s degree at Harvard Divinity School, and there he discovered “how our beliefs change our actions in the world,” he recently told the Journal on Active Aging. In this interview, Achor explains how by becoming more positive in the present, “your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, and your energy levels rise, enabling you to perform better in virtually everything you do.” He also delves into the importance of social connection, the impact of mindset on aging, and the need for older-adult wellness programs to be more positive.
moreLeadership
Connecting people and places
The two seniors housing developments couldn’t be more different. One project, in Arizona, will offer apartment homes in a resort-style community boasting plenty of amenities and services for sophisticated individuals. The second project, in London, will provide charitable housing, with some communal spaces and health support, for low-income individuals to age-in-place independently in their community. These developments share a vision, however, to connect residents with their environments and their neighbors through design.
moreConstruction
Utilizing spaces for wellness: Research highlights the challenges and opportunities
The trends have been constant over the past few years. Organizations are expanding their wellness programs by adding more classes and activities. New equipment and supplies are arriving. Employees, guests and others are using the facilities. Additional staff members are appearing. Yet, senior managers, along with directors and staff members, have commented in International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) surveys that “space” and “lack of space” are ongoing challenges. Is there a contradiction here?
moreConstruction
"Good stewards": Residents and staff protect the Earth at Meridian Village
At Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, Illinois, eco-conscious residents and team members embrace a trio of initiatives that reduce consumption, conserve resources and support environmentally sustainable practices. One of these initiatives features table-to-garden recycling to prevent food waste. Volunteers enjoy a nature-based activity-and a sense of purpose-as they tend the garden and grow food to use in the Lutheran Senior Services community.
moreInnovator awards
Good steward's: Residents and staff protect the Earth at Meridian Village
At Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, Illinois, eco-conscious residents and team members embrace a trio of initiatives that reduce consumption, conserve resources and support environmentally sustainable practices. One of these initiatives features table-to-garden recycling to prevent food waste. Volunteers enjoy a nature-based activity--and a sense of purpose--as they tend the garden and grow food to use in the Lutheran Senior Services community.
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