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- Gerontology
Hearing care for aging well: How and why to address hearing loss by Marilynn Larkin, MA
On February 28, 2019, to coincide with World Hearing Day, one of the world's leading medical journals introduced a commission to address the global burden of hearing loss. This Lancet commission launch followed a 2017 review on the topic, which noted that, globally, hearing loss is the fourth leading cause of years lived with disability. Perhaps even more significant for the active-aging industry, the review stated that hearing loss "reaches far beyond the sensory impairment...and is strongly associated with dementia and other health conditions among people in the sixth decade of life and older." Therefore, constituents and in some cases management and staff may be affected, with impacts to overall wellness and quality of life as well as health. ..."Everyone is complaining about healthcare costs and talking about what they want to do to keep people healthy longer," says Charlotte Yeh, MD, chief medical officer for AARP Services, Inc. "Hearing is the one thing all of us can and should address right now." The Journal on Active Aging talked with Yeh about how the active-aging industry can mobilize to promote hearing care and address hearing loss, plus why it's important to take action now.
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Older women traveling solo by Gwen Hyatt, MS
Curiosity, wanderlust, personal growth, retirement, an empty nest, lack of a travel partner: Older women travel alone for many reasons. Today, with more opportunities to make the most of this longer "third age," more women are adventuring into the world of solo travel. No longer willing to stay marginalized by stereotypes, these women are helping shape the contours of a more mobile aging lifestyle....Solo trips now offer everything from women-only ski camps in the Alps, walking holidays in Scotland, cultural trips in India and yoga retreats in Costa Rica, to painting workshops in Greece and cooking weeks Italian style....The possibilities for program planning are increasing exponentially for fitness instructors, wellness and activity program directors, senior living tour operators, travel divisions in seniors centers, concierge/resident services, travel clubs and sales and marketing personnel.
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Countering chronic inflammation for healthier aging, part one: The food connection by Shirley Archer, JD, MA
Do you wake up feeling fatigued? Do you suffer from joint pain or stiffness? Digestive problems? If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may be dealing with chronic or long-term inflammation....The good news: Scientists have become better not only at identifying chronic inflammation's presence, but also in how to reduce it for better well-being. As an individual who's aging-namely, all of us-and as an active-aging professional, it's valuable to understand this "top of mind" topic to educate others and to implement programs that can reduce excess inflammation and promote health.
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The tech connection: Alleviating loneliness as we age by Stephanie Ludwig, MDiv, MA, PhD
"Loneliness breaks the spirit," goes the old Jewish proverb. We are wired to be connected, and miserable when we are not. Although the sense of disengagement from others that characterizes loneliness is painful at any time in life, such disconnection can feel acutely unbearable as we age. ...To keep older adults connected to family and social networks, technologies on the market and in development can help reduce any associated loneliness. This includes both high-tech and low-tech solutions.
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Practices to optimize skin health by Amy Henderson, RN, BSN
The changes in physical appearance are subtle at first: a softer jawline, a fuller neck and a few persistent smile lines around the eyes. A sideways glance in the mirror reveals a silhouette that resembles someone older--perhaps your mother, your father. You realize, however, that indeed it is you. And your appearance has changed with the passage of time. Our clients likely have experienced many such moments over the years. With age, several intrinsic and extrinsic factors--including decreased hormone levels, genetic history, lifestyle choices and environmental surroundings--contribute to changes in the skin's quality. ... In a society that still attaches a stigma to aging and a double standard that affects women in particular, physical changes to the skin can have a significant impact on a person's overall self-image and feelings of self-worth. These physical changes also increase the risk for skin conditions. ... Skin care [and lifestyle] practices...not only promote healthier skin, but also support wellness and graceful aging.
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Telomeres: Are they the Fountain of Youth, or markers for the benefits of living well? by Cindy Geyer, MD, ABIM, ABOIM, ABLM
Since ancient times, explorers have sought the restorative powers of the proverbial Fountain of Youth. In more recent times, clinical research on cellular longevity is targeting a genetic substance called the telomere, which is entering the spotlight as a potential key to slowing-or even preventing-the more common health challenges of aging. ... [T]elomere length could provide significant clues to healthy aging, not only helping to predict and forestall diseases such as cancers, but also motivating lifestyle changes that might delay senescence [or cell aging].
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