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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- Management

 

Shift the paradigm to an employee-first workplace by Patricia Ryan, MS-9023

Shift the paradigm to an employee-first workplace by Patricia Ryan, MS

The challenge of staffing shortages within organizations focused on older adults did not happen overnight, nor did it emerge because of the COVID pandemic. Especially in senior living--that combination of real estate, services and lifestyle--staffing has been a thorny issue for leadership for many years. Staff members have also felt the pressure of too few hands for the work, or untrained and unmotivated colleagues. What the pandemic has changed dramatically is the workplace environment. Forced closures, mass resignations, illness, closed schools and burnout have changed the way people view their jobs and forced employers to rethink how they attract and retain workers. Motivated by the need to recalibrate the philosophy of employment in senior living and fine tune processes to adopt new approaches, delegates from more than 40 senior living organizations joined together at the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Forum 2021 to develop new approaches to the staffing challenge. These recommendations also have the potential to improve hiring and retention while positively impacting the quality of life of residents and clients.

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Management

Workplace changes triggered by the pandemic: Implications for mental health by Marilynn Larkin, MA-8948

Workplace changes triggered by the pandemic: Implications for mental health by Marilynn Larkin, MA

A recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that as the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on mental health continues, psychologists are reporting a large increase in demand for treatment of anxiety and depression as compared with last year. Eighty-four percent of psychologists who treat anxiety disorders said they have seen an increase in demand for treatment since the start of the pandemic. That figure reflects a rise of 10% over a year ago. Demand for treatment of depression is also up. Seventy-two percent of psychologists who treat depressive disorders have seen an increase, compared with 60% in 2020. These increases are particularly evident in the workplace, with numerous organizations producing articles and guidance aimed at helping employers to become more sensitive to mental health issues, and employees to feel more comfortable seeking help. ... Given all the emerging data on workplace mental health, International Council on Active Aging CEO Colin Milner interviewed Kristin Tugman, PhD, CRC, LPC, vice president of health and productivity analytics and consulting practice for Prudential Group Insurance, in a transformative podcast on navigating workplace reentry anxiety. Tugman's work is founded on a cognitive behavioral model aimed at helping individuals overcome psychological barriers and return to productivity, as well as building psychologically healthy workplaces. In their interview, she and Milner discussed numerous current workforce concerns, including significant employee stressors. This article is based on that podcast.

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Management

Furnishing fitness facilities for actively aging adults by Julie King, MS-8768

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."

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Management

Better together: Covenant Living navigates COVID with community and communication by Jana Decker by BS-8684

Better together: Covenant Living navigates COVID with community and communication by Jana Decker by BS

Covenant Living Communities and Services is rooted in ministry. Our Illinois-based organization has served older adults as an outreach ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church since 1886. That year, our flagship community, Covenant Home of Chicago (known at the time as the Home of Mercy) was founded to provide care "to the sick, to orphaned children and to the frail elderly." Today, as a nonprofit provider of senior services and among the largest seniors housing providers in the United States, Covenant Living serves 5,400 residents at 17 retirement communities in 9 states. Our continuing care communities offer independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and rehabilitation services. In March 2020, after more than 130 years of growth and change (and 100+ years since the Spanish Flu), our organization suddenly and unexpectedly found itself on the brink of a pandemic. We kicked into action immediately as COVID-19 shutdowns took place, knowing that the health and safety of our residents is the highest priority. Initially, that meant residents sheltering in place with no access to the many amenities that were part of normal life. Days turned into weeks, and like many other organizations, we realized this crisis situation was not a passing storm. The pandemic was not going away any time soon. It was clear our organization urgently needed to redirect focus to long-term solutions for supporting and engaging residents within the parameters of COVID.

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Management

Boosting resident engagement, supporting staff with data-driven technology by Marilynn Larkin, MA-8524

Boosting resident engagement, supporting staff with data-driven technology by Marilynn Larkin, MA

A June 2020 article in the journal Global Health Research and Policy highlighted the "unprecedented challenge" of the current coronavirus pandemic, particularly for older adults. According to author Bei Wu, PhD, of New York University's Aging Incubator and Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, "The outbreak of COVID-19 will have a long-term and profound impact on older adults' health and well-being. Social isolation and loneliness are likely to be one of the most affected health outcomes," she writes. "[They] are major risk factors that have been linked with poor physical and mental health status." ... Many active-aging organizations have embraced technological solutions to deal with pandemic-related restrictions that dampen social connections and engagement. ... For communities such as Juniper Village at Brookline, an award-winning continuing care retirement community in State College, Pennsylvania, Linked Senior technology is helping to bridge the gap.

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Management

Spas: Embracing wellness through the pandemic and beyond by Marilynn Larkin, MA-8523

Spas: Embracing wellness through the pandemic and beyond by Marilynn Larkin, MA

Spas have long been a wellness hub both in senior living communities and in the community at large. International Spa Association (ISPA) data from before the coronavirus pandemic showed the industry was growing overall, with total revenues over USD$18 billion, and average revenue per spa reaching $826,000 in 2018. Notably, among 6 spa types, 80% were day spas and 8.2%, medical. These are the types of facilities most likely to serve older adults, and to operate as part of an active-aging community. The pandemic forced 99% of spas to close in the first quarter of 2020, according to ISPA. However, by October, most spas had navigated the reopening process, with 90% reporting opening and receiving guests. The turnaround has been "impressive and gratifying," according to Wendy Bosalavage, spa and wellness/chief revenue officer and president of New York City-based LIVunLtd, a consultancy, amenity/spa management company and concierge company. Yet, reopening has come with "some significant transformations," she acknowledges. ... The Journal on Active Aging recently interviewed Bosalavage about where spas are heading and why they remain a necessity for the active-aging industry.

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Management

Total items: 86

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