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- Research
Gray, green, and active: Environmental volunteerism benefits older adults and society by Karl Pillemer, Ph.D.
Martin Phillips volunteers many hours each month in local environmental organizations, helping to organize trail clean-ups and testing water quality in streams. His goal is to help preserve the earth for future generations, even though he will not personally see the benefits. Maria Groves volunteers as a receptionist for a nature center, noting that she enjoys the children who participate in the programs and socializing with staff and other volunteers. Janice Phelps has always loved being outside in nature; her political work on environmental issues comes from a deep attachment to the natural world, which she feels is sacred and must be preserved. John Trent is politically conservative and will tell you right away: “I’m no tree-hugger!” But he has spent a lifetime hunting and fishing and is concerned about the destruction of natural areas that used to teem with wildlife, so he volunteers to protect them.
These individuals pursue different activities and have divergent motivations. But they have one thing in common: They are part of a growing movement of people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond who have become environmental volunteers, working to create a sustainable society and to conserve our natural resources. Not only do these “gray and green” volunteers help solve one of the major challenges of our time, but research shows environmental volunteering also leads to improved health and well-being of older persons. Now researchers, policy makers, and non-profit organizations are seeking ways to encourage environmental volunteering and civic engagement (EVCE) among individuals after retirement.
Research
Cognitive rehabilitation and memory enhancement: evidence-based interventions for older adults by Rob Winningham, PhD
There is a lot of advice out there about how we can keep our minds sharp. People take fad supplements, play video games designed to improve brain functioning, and, of course, complete crossword puzzles. Many of the things people use to improve their memories, however, are not supported by scientific research. The good news is, if you look at the bigger picture, there are behaviors and interventions supported by research, and they can be succinctly summarized.
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ICAA survey: trends in design for wellness by Patricia Ryan, MS
These are interesting times for providers of services for older adults. The population of “older adults” is already a huge marketplace, and growing. In 2009, along came the economic recession. The income of the oldest adults remains steady, the Baby Boomers have been hit financially, the very poor older adults are still poor, and the wealthy older adults are keeping quiet.
Providers of housing and services—retirement communities, community/seniors centers, some health clubs and hospitals—realize the value of supporting the lifestyles of older adults as well as promoting health and healthcare. Yet, financing has been a challenge over these last years, as banks tightened lending, grantors found their endowments reduced, and governments discovered they were in the red. Like the rest of the people in developed nations, older adults themselves have been somewhat frozen in time, unwilling to lose equity by selling their homes or focused on survival as they slipped into reduced incomes from unemployment. Aging in place has become a hot topic to meet personal preferences as well the reality that the number of older adults in the population requires it.
Research
Directions in active aging: trends in wellness development
The age 50-plus market offers tremendous opportunities for organizations that know how to meet the needs, desires and aspirations of their potential customers. Whether planning a new wellness center or expanding an existing one, upgrading or maintaining current facilities, or developing new or renovated residences, developers and operators whose projects target older adults need to make wise decisions.
Knowing the market is an essential first step. The age 50-plus population is diverse in many ways, including needs and abilities, so the choice of which market segment(s) to serve will color almost every decision when completing a project. The key to success, though, lies in understanding the active-aging opportunity and where the industry is heading.
Research
Whole body vibration, part two: what's the most effective protocol? by Joseph Signorile, PhD
For any exercise device or intervention to be effective, it must be used correctly. This may seem a simple concept, but its application can be difficult. It may also take years to develop all the questions concerning the most effective protocols. Given the number of whole body vibration (WBV) devices, the available settings on each device, and the number of different exercises and patterns of training that you can use with WBV, the question should not be, What is the best protocol? Rather, we should be asking, What is the best protocol to improve a given parameter—strength, power, balance, etc.—in older adults and on what type of machine?
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Exercise and the aging brain by Terry Eckmann, PhD
Aging and brain health is a topic of great interest as the older-adult population continues to grow. In 1900, the average life expectancy was approximately 47 years, while today’s life expectancy is roughly 78.1 It is estimated that women who now reach age 65 will have an average life expectancy of almost 85 and men who make it to 65 can expect to live to 82.1 Longer life expectancy brings with it the need to maintain a healthy body and brain as the foundation for leading the fullest, most productive life possible.
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