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.
Stepping back: How has access to capital changed? by Tanya K. Hahn, CPA
Day-to-day, minute-to-minute focus on the capital markets can make it harder to see where we are today compared to where we were at the height of (one hopes) the market fallout in the United States. The capital markets—which include long-term securities such as stocks, bonds and mortgages—have obviously not stabilized. Yet there has been some improvement since a low point in 2008, when investors were playing hot potato with variable interest rate bonds, and some banks turned away depositors and borrowers and closed their doors—permanently.
Borrowers with outstanding debt and those planning on issuing bonds or notes in the near future are in a slightly better position in summer 2009 compared to fall 2008, though they may look wistfully back at 2007. The overall landscape of both variable-rate bonds/notes and fixed-rate debt has changed (see the glossary of terms on page 54 for explanations), and much of this can be understood through changes in the banking world over this short period of time.
Creating unique aquatic facilities for the older adult by Chris White
Water activities of all kinds are among the most attractive to people of all ages.1 From beach vacations to “taking the waters” in European spas, forms of water recreation and health through activity in and around water are many and varied.
Older-adult settings feature numerous kinds of aquatic amenities, many of which enjoy extraordinary success. Yet others languish and don’t get the use they might. Why? This article will examine some of the underlying assumptions and principles that contribute to a well-designed and well-used aquatic facilities complex with a mission to serve the older-adult population.
Activating older adults with 'Nordic' pole walking and exercise programs by Tom Rutlin, BS
Among the most basic of all human activities, walking is essential to maintaining functional independence as we age. However, declining confidence, muscle fitness and proprioception (which allows us to sense body position in space) can threaten our ability to walk safely and thus stay independent. “Nordic” pole walking and pole exercise programs offer simple, effective options for regular physical activity participation, promoting health, function and independence in older adults.
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An African drumming circle promotes active aging at Willamette Oaks
Willamette Oaks Retirement Community is a complex of apartments for “people who love life,” according to its motto. Located alongside the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon, the community “strives to provide a stimulating environment that offers meaningful opportunities for older adults to stay mentally, physically, and socially fit and engaged with life,” says former Programs and Events Coordinator Candy Davis. “Residents can choose from a daily menu of professionally led fitness classes—from tai chi and Hawaiian dance to weight lifting and fall recovery—as well as individual coaching in the use of modern exercise equipment.” They also socialize and interact through “resident-led parties, card games, films, discussions, meetings, holiday observances, and excursions.”
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Five steps to create an out-of-the-box vision for your project by Ross A. Jones, AIA, NCARB
Crabbing may be one of the most dangerous jobs of all. But crabbers have it easy in one respect: They don’t have to mind their catch. That’s because if one crab starts to climb out of the crab box, the other crabs will pull it back in.
For a variety of reasons, businesses can act as crabs in the box do. Safety in numbers is probably near the top of the list of fear-motivated reasons. (As a Japanese saying goes, “The nail that sticks out gets pounded down.”) Alas, self-preservation and avoiding discomfort are other reasons we can add to the list of reasons to keep a low profile. Perhaps you’ve heard the expression, “One step ahead, you are a leader; two steps ahead, you are a target.” It’s an art, or at least an imprecise science, to know the line that separates the two.
Leadership
The active-aging landscape: trends in wellness center equipment and development by Patricia Ryan, MS
Organizations that embrace the concepts of whole-person wellness seek to integrate the philosophy throughout their operations. That integration includes making each staff member an ambassador for the wellness program, educating clients on the benefits and opportunities of an active lifestyle, and creating an attitude that reinforces “we’re all in this together.” Yet, when it comes time to implement a wellness culture, the philosophy must take a tangible form on strategic planning agendas and in operational plans.
The tangibles of wellness need a home within an organization. That home may be a single or multiple departments, with one or more staff members responsible for implementation. There are job descriptions to write and performance objectives to monitor. Plus, expenses and revenue must be placed somewhere on one or more budgets.
