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- Program management
Furnishing fitness facilities for actively aging adults by Julie King, MS
The active-aging industry is looking ahead across North America and beyond. Even as pandemic restrictions ease in many regions--at varying paces and to differing degrees--concerns will continue about virus variants, vaccination rates and efficacy, breakthrough COVID cases in vaccinated individuals, and infection outbreaks or clusters. Despite these uncertainties, organizations are now wisely considering where to invest as they strive to reset their businesses. What do age 50+ customers want today? And which products, services and amenities will appeal to the specific clientele your organization serves? "Well-equipped fitness and wellness facilities are more crucial than ever," according to International Council on Active Aging CEO Colin Milner. "The global health crisis has overwhelmingly demonstrated the value of staying as healthy and physically active as possible--a message your customers and prospects will have absorbed many times over since January 2020."
moreProgram management
Technology: Sharon Towers’ biggest ally in resident well-being during a pandemic by Jessica Bourque, LRT/CTRS
On March 12, life at Sharon Towers changed for our families, employees and residents. Like all life-plan communities, we were forced to make some significant changes to the way we operate to keep our residents and staff as safe as possible. Changes like mandatory masks for staff and residents, screening stations before management and staff enter the building to work, discontinuing communal dining and all group activities, no longer allowing visitors on campus, and encouraging our residents not to leave our campus for any reason. To say it was a challenge would be an understatement--in fact, it continues to be a challenge even as some restrictions relax. However, it has been inspiring to see the innovation, creativity, flexibility and resiliency abound. ... In this changing COVID-19 climate, every department has had to reevaluate how we could best serve our mission. The question for our programming department--called the Vitality and Well-being Department--was how were we possibly going to meet the wellness needs of our 300+ residents without in-person groups/sessions, without a pool and without a fitness center? The biggest positive of COVID has been that it forced us to take a new approach and reevaluate everything.
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Virtual reality: What to know when considering this technology by Ginna Baik, BA
Engaging residents and older adults in this new era of lockdowns and social distancing has really challenged senior living communities, seniors centers and other organizations that serve this population across the world. It is well documented that lack of social engagement, or loneliness, has a real impact on the physical and mental health of older individuals. Advances in virtual reality (VR) are compelling reasons for organizations to take a serious look at this solution.
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The benefits of traveling later in life by Gwen Hyatt, MS
Your clients have worked for 40-50 years, raised a family, saved for retirement and now have the opportunity to savor la buena vida (the good life). Many have the time, resources and health to do what they want. For some, this is a daunting option, while others embrace the opportunity to stay active and engaged and to spend time perusing the world. Not only is traveling in later life exciting and full of adventure, it also provides multidimensional benefits for healthy, active aging. As they discover new horizons, older travelers enhance their intellectual/cognitive, social, emotional and physical wellness. By providing opportunities for travel or simply sharing this information with your clients, you can encourage them to "hit the road" for better health and well-being.
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Fourteen reasons to report wellness outcomes by Patricia Ryan, MS
“It’s not possible to measure wellness! How do you plan to do that?” That was the response of the CEO of a senior living community when the wellness director proposed to expand the wellness program around the dimensions of wellness, then support the value of the new program by tracking and benchmarking results. It’s a good question.
moreProgram management
Leaping across a program plateau by Lisa Bloder and Melissa Bossert
As the pages of the calendar turn, we program directors/wellness coordinators/
resident lifestyle facilitators/activity directors find ourselves struggling to come up with ways to keep events and programs fresh for our residents and clients throughout the year.
You may find yourself saying some or all of the following:
· We did that last year.
· We’re struggling to come up with new ideas.
· Participation has decreased.
· People will not want to participate in that event/program.
· The skill level is too high for that hands-on project.
· There is too much walking on that trip.
· Because it is a holiday month, we have to celebrate that holiday.
· That will be too much legwork. Where do we start?
· Been there, done that!
