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- Communication
Reframing ageist language and attitudes to influence social change by Beth Witrogen, MJ
Despite global progress in identifying language that disrespects and marginalizes people by race or gender, communications around aging remain one of the last frontiers of social equality. Research shows that ageist beliefs--stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination based on age--are an insidious presence in global cultures, from greeting cards and jokes to elder abuse and economic inequity. A new study reaffirms the impact of people's beliefs about aging on health and well-being. Lead author Julia Nakamura, BS, a graduate student in health psychology at the University of British Columbia, Canada, believes that "combating ageism and reducing harmful stereotypes about aging are potential paths to improving individual aging satisfaction. In a landmark survey researched by Common Cause Australia and commissioned by the Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership (SMPCP) through the Victorian government, the "Framing Age Message Guide" identifies ways of communicating about older adults through a values-based community engagement approach. This guidance can aid organizations in reframing their messages for or about this population.
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'Inviting difficult conversation by Karen Woodard Chavez
Let's start with a moment of truth. When someone tells you, "We need to talk," what is your first response? Is it, "Absolutely--what would you like to discuss?" Or do you experience a sinking feeling of dread and respond with some version of "What did I do wrong?" Similarly, what do you feel when you're the one saying, "We need to talk"? If you are more inclined to avoid difficult conversations than invite them, you should realize that you are trading short-term comfort for long-term dysfunction. For the best long-term results, you must be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. Otherwise, you will constantly repeat what you do not repair.
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Changing lifestyle behaviors: three approaches that work by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Behavior change is difficult for anyone at any age, and older adults are no exception. The journal Modern Healthcare reported on a working paper that documented what many people already know from experience: Knowledge alone is a poor motivator. In this article, three experts share behavior-change strategies to promote better health, well-being and quality of life among older adults.
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Why "we' versus "they" is a bigger issue than you think by Karen Woodard Chavez
When I work with clients and engage in conversation with their staff, I will listen for how many times employees use the word they when referring to their organization. Who is "they"?Typically, it is the management or ownership of the business. Often times, "they" is used in a negative sense - whether staff members are aware of it or not. You do not want to have the "they" issue in your company.
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Crisis management: when bad things happen to good companies by Michelle Moore
Do you ever feel that the decisions, words and actions of your industry and your company are under a microscope? That minor mistakes or unpopular policies—which a few years ago were known only to your immediate and innermost circles—now spin out of control splashed across Facebook, Twitter and even the evening news? Have you ever lost clients, seen sales halt or watched your stock plummet as a result? Welcome to navigating business communication in the 21st century. Surviving this strange new dynamic is not for the faint of heart. Today, thanks to a media that never sleeps, a small molehill of a problem can become a crisis mountain before you’ve had your first cup of coffee. That is, unless you have some serious crisis-management savvy.
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Communicate the value of warm-up, cool-down and stretching by Christine Schnitzer and Patty Trela, PT, DPT
•Warm-up, cool-down and safe stretching should be part of every group class. But as fitness instructors, how can we communicate the importance of proper pre-activity warm-up and post-activity cool-down/stretching to our clients who use fitness centers independently?
As exercise leaders, we encourage people to take ownership of their health by becoming and staying physically active for life. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that for people over the age of 65 to realize the health benefits that exercise brings, they should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week and do muscle-strengthening activities two or more days per week (1). This guideline serves to motivate people to add use of a treadmill, seated recumbent cross-trainer, stationary bicycle and similar equipment to their fitness program when it is convenient for them to do so.
