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- Mental health
Extending roadtime: Techniques to maintain driving wellness by Jennifer L. Womack, MS, OTR/L and Michaela Mangrum, OTS
Each year, more than one million Americans ages 70 and older stop driving and turn to other means to meet their transportation needs (Foley, 2002). Given that the United States is an automobile-dependent society, retirement from driving is often viewed negatively as a loss of independence rather than simply a transition to other forms of transportation. In our experience, older adults frequently report they dread the day when they are no longer able to drive due to the broader implications for their lives.
moreMental health
Is laughter really the best medicine? by Marge Coalman
The health and wellness industry boasts an arsenal of tools to help us deal with the stresses of daily life. These tools include breathing exercises, time management techniques, aerobic exercise regimens, and muscle relaxation, to name a few. But we often forget to take advantage of 2 coping mechanisms we have available to us—humor and laughter.
Although used interchangeably by most people, the words humor and laughter represent different facets of well-being and refer to separate phenomena. This article looks at the differences, research findings, positive qualities and benefits of both, and how to apply them in the world of physical activity programming for older adults.
Mental health
Aging with spirit: perspectives on suffering by Donald R. Koepke
Why do some people age gracefully, while others do not? Why do individuals differ so greatly when it comes to their ability to roll with the punches? How is it possible for one client to be content and engaging despite significant physical challenges, while another in relatively good health is constantly grumpy and discouraged? One essential reason is the way each person deals with the reality of suffering in life.
moreMental health
Depression: the invisible disease by Marge Coalman
Depression is the most prevalent undiagnosed, untreated disease in the world, and probably the most expensive, according to the World Health Organization. People rarely self-identify this serious medical condition. And, sadly, physicians, family members, coworkers and friends may fail to detect the disease in sufferers until quality of life is seriously affected.
moreMental health
Mature adults and depression: how you can help by Paul Holbrook, M.A., C.S.C.S.
Although depression is not considered a normal part of aging, this illness is common among older adults. According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 15% of adults ages 65 and above experience symptoms of depression that cause them distress and make it hard for them to function.
Depression also influences the physical and mental health of older adults, say researchers from the Seattle-based University of Washington. Their study of the healthcare costs associated with depression shows that mature adults with significant depressive symptoms had healthcare costs about 50% higher than older individuals without depression. According to the researchers, 'This increase was seen for every component of healthcare costs and was not accounted for by an increase in specialty mental healthcare.'
Mental health
The invisible population by Marge Coalman
If organizations that serve individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementias had a symbolic flower, it would be the Forget-Me-Not. Forgetfulness is usually the first noticeable symptom of dementia. Since forgetfulness is not an obvious physical disability, the population of older adults with dementia stays largely invisible to the general public and, indeed, to the fitness and rehabilitation industries.
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