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- Cardiovascular health
Enhancing functional activities of daily living in a stroke survivor by Lourdes Escobar Torres, MD; Mary E Sanders, PhD, FACSM, CDCES, ACSM-CEP; Charo Belenguer Benitez; and Agustin Melendez Ortega, P
A stroke at age 40 left Celia severely disabled. With physical therapy delayed in the optimal recovery period, the likelihood of her regaining independence seemed poor. Her responses to an aquatic exercise intervention show that, even after this period, it's possible for individuals to improve their function significantly over time with community-based exercise. Celia's results offer hope for stroke survivors and encouragement for those who support their health and wellness.
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Brain-health literacy: A strategy to inspire brain-healthy lifestyles by Jeffrey Rossman, PhD, and Cornelia Lenherr, MD
As our population ages, the incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia steadily increases. MCI, characterized by minor but measurable declines in cognitive abilities, increases a person's risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia. Progressing to a dementia diagnosis is not inevitable, however. ... It is now generally acknowledged that the roots of neurodegeneration--that is, deterioration in the brain's nerve function and structure--begin at least 20-30 years before dementia symptoms are noticeable. By the time a diagnosis is made, reversal of the disease process in Alzheimer's and other dementias is currently considered unattainable. While no cure exists for these conditions, intervention can reduce symptoms. Further, for those with mild or subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), intervention may profoundly affect the progression of brain degeneration and symptoms of cognitive impairment. ... Recent research has explored the influence on brain health of modifying specific lifestyle factors and reducing cardiovascular disease risks. ... Through a brain-healthy literacy model, participants learn which lifestyle practices support brain health, why they exert a beneficial impact, and how to enjoyably and sustainably engage in those practices.
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Strategies for a healthy heart by Patricia Ryan, MS
The heart is a magnificent machine. It runs day and night, without rest, over the course of a lifetime. Beating about 100,000 times during an average day, the heart’s job is to pump blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to fuel the body’s organs and muscles.
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Phases of cardiac rehabilitation
The commonly accepted "phases" of cardiac rehabilitation starts in the hospital immediately after a person's admission and continues throughout the hospitalization.
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Guiding principles for cardiac exercise programs
Ensure each client receives a medical clearance to participate in physical activity, then review this form. Also ask
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Cardiac rehabilitation: exercise for clients with heart disease by Reed Humphrey, Ph.D., P.T.
Since reaching epidemic proportions in the mid-20th century, deaths from heart disease have steadily declined in the United States. Still, heart disease accounts for approximately 40% of all deaths annually. In addition, the most recent statistics compiled by the American Heart Association suggest nearly 18 million people have coronary artery disease or chronic heart failure, with another 50 million diagnosed with high blood pressure
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