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.
Atria El Camino Gardens: Good Samaritans reach out to make a difference
At Atria El Camino Gardens in Carmichael, California, residents feel the need to make a difference in the lives of neighbors in the community-at-large. That desire to contribute to others led the community to start the Atria El Camino Gardens Good Samaritan Outreach program in 2013. ... "Our residents are people of action and service," comments Engage Life Director Staci Weisz. "Our job is to facilitate their goals and support them as they continue to learn, grow and make a difference.”
moreInnovator awards
More than merchandise: Why mall walking programs are a good deal by Caitlin R. Anderson, BA, and Basia Belza, PhD, RN, FAAN
Mall walking is not the newest fitness craze, but it is an excellent mode of physical activity, especially for midlife and older adults. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a new resource entitled "Mall Walking: A Program Resource Guide," which delves into this decades-old practice. To create the evidence-informed manual, the CDC worked with researchers from across the nation to compile existing mall-walking research, perform environmental audits of malls, and interview mall-walking participants and program leaders. The result is a practical resource that promotes the development of mall walking programs and provides strategies to design, implement and evaluate them.
moreHealth promotion
Mainstreet's Zeke Turner: a disrupting influence on transitional care and beyond by Colin Milner
Every industry needs disrupters-people who challenge the status quo and ask why we operate the way we do. Disrupters drive innovation in their quests to improve things. In seeking to reengineer the customer experience, these individuals will many times inspire change that revolutionizes industries. Their greatest nemeses tend to be those who would benefit most from change, yet who are unprepared to do so because they find it costly and uncomfortable. Yes, disrupters can divide opinion and shake belief systems to their foundations. But they are essential to progress, both in industries and society. So, is Zeke Turner, founder and chief executive officer of Mainstreet®, such a person?
moreBusiness profiles
2015: ICAA's year in review
At the end of the year, many of us tend to look back and perhaps see what wasn't done-in our workplaces or our industry-and then start writing a to-do list for the next year. Yet there is also value when we recall what was accomplished, and what succeeded. What were the elements that made our initiatives or programs or organizations achieve a goal? How can we repeat those factors? As 2015 draws to an end, it’s a good time to review what you-our members and allies-and the International Council on Active Aging® accomplished.
moreICAA initiatives
"Step It Up!" The Surgeon General embraces walking and walkability
Active-aging professionals look for opportunities to help the people they serve improve their health. So, too, does the United States Surgeon General. One tool at his disposal is the Call to Action, “a science-based document to stimulate action nationwide to solve a major public health problem.” Issued on September 9, 2015, the Surgeon General’s new call to action aims to address the public health challenges of chronic disease. The solution—and the focus of the document—is walking.
moreCommunity design
Making the connection between wellness and quality of life by Patricia Ryan, MS
When asked about what’s important as they age, older adults often place “health” and “being independent” at the top of the list, whether the question is asked by financial companies, AARP or university researchers. According to the International Council on Active Aging’s industry research, the health and well-being of residents is the top reason why age-qualified communities invest in lifestyle/wellness programs. So it’s fair to ask: How successful are communities in supporting their residents’ health, independence and overall quality of life?
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