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.
Assessments prove the value of functional fitness by Michael McCann and Jessica N. Enriquez
One of your roles as part of a wellness team is to help guide older adults to be as independent as possible. People who are introduced to wellness programs will find that the greater the mind/body connection is, the more confidence and independence they will have. As a purveyor of wellness, a challenge you face is that most of your clients have diverse wellness issues within a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities. Each person’s issues differ from another’s. Therefore, you need to develop a comprehensive wellness program that can individualize these diverse needs so each person can reach overall wellness. This will help build confidence and maintain independence that directly impacts daily life.
moreAssessment
ICAA Conference 2012: sharing the wellness journey
With famed food, festivals and music, New Orleans has a vibrant culture rooted in its melting-pot history. The intermingling of people from different backgrounds, traditions and places created a rich local culture that gets expressed throughout daily life in stimulating ways. Strangely enough, this is similar to what active-aging professionals aim to achieve when they foster a culture of wellness. Building a shared foundation for living well challenges advocates of older-adult wellness to continually educate themselves. To help, the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) provides education, information, resources and tools. Because the experiences of one can enrich the journey of many, ICAA organizes its national conference every year so industry experts, leaders and practitioners can meet, learn from, and inspire each other. Most recently, more than 600 delegates and presenters journeyed to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the ICAA Conference 2012.
moreICAA initiatives
Seven active-aging innovators win ICAA awards
In 2003, the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) launched an awards program to reward creativity and excellence in the active-aging industry—and to encourage continual efforts to advance it. As an association that leads, connects and defines the industry, ICAA sets out every year to recognize those that are leading the way, setting new standards, and making a difference in the lives of older adults. The association’s 2012 Innovators Awards spotlights seven worthy recipients in three award categories.
moreInnovator awards
Higher-intensity interval training moves to the pool by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP
Are your participants short on time? Recommend a quick, low-impact run in the pool to squeeze out the health benefits of higher-intensity interval training (HIIT). Interval training alternates bursts of high energy with low-energy recovery cycles. Research suggests this kind of approach offers a viable, shorter alternative to higher volume, continuous aerobic exercise. Depending on a person’s fitness level and objective, the intermittent work and recovery bouts in HIIT may last seconds to minutes. Pool training provides opportunities to gear up, or down, intensity on demand by capturing water’s natural resistance. And a simple walk, jog or run can be performed with vigor in cool liquid comfort.
moreAquatics
Atria's Culinary Educational Series provides a recipe for wellness
Organizations that promote active aging strive to nurture wellness in older adults with programs, services and environments to support this outcome. The word nurture, interestingly enough, comes from a Latin word that means “to nourish”—the same word from which the word nutrition also derives. Food, a foundation of good health, fuels both body and soul. Eating together is a vital part of our rituals and traditions, while preparing food is an elemental way in which we show love and hospitality to others. Atria Senior Living professionals recently highlighted these points in their presentation at the ICAA Conference 2012. “The need for nourishment and the need for other people are universal,” stressed Ronda Watson, RD, Atria’s senior vice president of culinary service and engage life, and Cynthia Lilly, MSW, the company’s national life guidance program director, agreed. The pair also described efforts to team programming and culinary services to enhance wellness for Atria residents. One example was the Culinary Educational Series at Atria Campana del Rio, a community that provides independent living, assisted living and memory care services to 225 older adults in Tucson, Arizona.
moreProgram profiles
NuStep showcases the 'Pinnacle' of programming
A vision to transform lives. That’s the driving force behind NuStep, Inc., an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based manufacturer of recumbent cross trainers and advocate for active living. Recognizing that active living promotes wellness, spirit and vigor, NuStep strives “to help individuals achieve the important balance of physical fitness and wellness in their daily life.” One platform the company uses to increase awareness is the NuStep Pinnacle Award. Established in 1998, NuStep’s annual awards program “salutes senior living communities and senior centers that best demonstrate a culture of whole-person wellness throughout their organizations.” Established in 1998, NuStep’s annual awards program “salutes senior living communities and senior centers that best demonstrate a culture of whole-person wellness throughout their organizations.”
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