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.
Indoor air quality, part one: Why it matters and how to improve it by Regina Vaicekonyte, MS, WELL AP
Awareness has increased in recent years about the health impacts of indoor air quality. Recent survey results reveal consumer insights on the importance of indoor air quality across environments serving older adults. Read on to learn more, plus gain a trio of strategies for cleaner air.
moreEnvironmental wellness
Navigating estrangement through the caregiving journey by Beth Witrogen, MJ
Difficult family dynamics can impact support of loved ones, but quality of care--and life--is possible with professional guidance.
moreGerontology
Closing the wellness gaps by Colin Milner
Research shows overwhelming commitment to wellness as a priority across the active-aging industry. But a lack of clarity about wellness itself may present a barrier to effective implementation.
moreIndustry development
Hosting a milestone Active Aging Week
Autumn's arrival typically signals vacations ending, students returning to schools and, for active-aging advocates, celebrating Active Aging Week. The annual observance held in the early fall promotes active, engaged living for adults 50+. The weeklong celebrations taking place October 3-9, 2022, will mark the 20th Annual Active Aging Week. How will your organization participate in--and leverage--this milestone? In settings where missions and business models center on older adults, or where healthy aging is a significant focus, Active Aging Week offers a platform for positive messages and programming that highlight the ability to engage fully in life at any age. At the same time, savvy host organizations realize the opportunities it presents to showcase their services, lifestyles and environments to their communities and neighborhoods.
moreICAA initiatives
Thriving at PSL: A resident-led special event celebrates wellness
Summer 2020 challenged providers of senior living, care and aging services with pandemic concerns. While the health and safety of residents and staff were consuming issues, so too were questions of how to support their overall wellness. At Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL) in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, plans for an in-house wellness initiative moved ahead, with resident focus groups providing input as the not-for-profit developed its wellness culture. Fostering this culture is Thrive Wellness, PSL's "resident-driven approach to wellness." Launched early in 2021, Thrive Wellness "promotes a culture of wellness, engagement and purposeful living to empower all individuals to live their best lives," according to the PSL website. Key to this approach is collaboration between residents and team members and between the organization's communities. The Thrive Wellness Steering Group demonstrates that collaborative spirit, with independent-living residents, team members and community leadership all involved. In keeping with the resident-driven philosophy and the collaborative, holistic framework of Thrive Wellness, the steering group came up with an idea for a special event inspired by Active Aging Week, the annual ICAA-led campaign to promote active, engaged living, presented by Humana. The PSL initiative would have its own twists, however.
moreProgram profiles
The Center at Belvedere: Reinventing the senior center, breaking stereotypes by Marilynn Larkin, MA
The Center at Belvedere--or, simply, The Center--is a testament to the drive and determination of stakeholders to break stereotypes of senior centers and of what it means to be "older." The 47,000-sq.-ft. building in Charlottesville, Virginia, which recently garnered a national award from the American Institute of Architects, "is an exceptional resource for our community," says Executive Director Peter Thompson. "It demonstrates the power of collaboration among experts and community members who understand the impacts of healthy aging. The appeal of The Center is reflected in the numbers of people participating in programs on-site. Thompson commented that those numbers are up about 20% over two years ago in the former building, despite the pandemic, and without counting virtual expansion. The Journal on Active Aging caught up with Thompson in a Zoom interview to learn more about The Center's evolution and determination to serve as a model for other organizations.
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