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
In need of support: Addressing anxiety in older adults by Judith Graham
Anxiety is the most common psychological disorder affecting adults in the United States. In older people, it's associated with considerable distress as well as ill health, diminished quality of life and elevated rates of disability. Yet older adults with anxiety frequently don't get help. Here's why.
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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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Well living: An integrative approach to depression in older adults by Diane Downing, MD, Amy Hawthorne, MS, LMFT, Stephanie Ludwig, PhD, MDiv, MA, Lisa Powell, MS, RDN LDN, and Mike Siemens, MS, RCEP
Depression has a devastating impact on society. Affecting more than 264 million people worldwide, this illness is "a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease" and "a leading cause of disability worldwide," according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an estimated 10% of adults ages 18 and older has a depressive disorder. The incidence of depression increases to 13–19% of women and 11–14% of men among adults ages 65 and beyond. ... A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication may be effective in addressing depression. However, older adults may be reluctant to add yet another prescription medication. Instead, they may want to explore effective integrative approaches to boosting mood. Research has shown that lifestyle factors including nutrition, sleep and exercise play a significant role in preventing and mediating the effects of depression. Connection with others and spirituality are also powerful contributors to positive affect.
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Making the mind matter by Lawrence Biscontini, MA
As we continue to unlock the power of the mind, the concept of mindfulness grows as a hot topic of research in the active-aging industry. Our mental outlook truly sets our tone about, and attitude towards, what we can achieve in our lives, because a positive outlook includes making positive choices. Since the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that our very choices are more important than pharmacology and exercise combined, the right mindful approach to each day proves key to aging positively.
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Jeff Nachtigall: Enabling older adults to unleash their creativity through art by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Jeff Nachtigall is an established artist whose work has been exhibited in North America, Europe and China over the past 25 years. He is also a facilitator, speaker and social entrepreneur who has led dozens of artist residencies and workshops, lectured in communities across Canada and the United States, and keynoted at national conferences on the arts and aging. Importantly for readers of the Journal on Active Aging, Nachtigall also worked for eight years as a full-time artist-in-residence at Sherbrooke Community Centre, an assisted living residence in Saskatoon, Canada. There, he founded and developed Open Studio Projects, a model of artistic engagement that challenges traditional clinical and activity-based approaches to art in older-adult and long-term care settings.
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Eating disorders: the other side of the obesity epidemic by Marge Coalman, EdD
In recent years, headlines and health news have often focused on the obesity epidemic in developed countries around the world. With the associated risks of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and multiple other factors, obesity is a major health risk. However, there is a less visible population—women, in particular—dealing with eating disorders that result in less-than-optimal weight and associated health problems.
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