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- Management
Small risk, big reward: Increase your organization's "return on aging"by Jeff Weiss
If you attended the recent International Council on Active Aging Conference in Orlando, Florida, you might have received a copy of Age of Majority's whitepaper titled "The Massive Growth Opportunity that Marketers Are Missing." Our agency chose an intentionally broad title for this research-based publication. A title that only hints at the potential profit awaiting those who more effectively engage the 55+ market. At the heart of this lost growth opportunity are assumptions and stereotypes that surround consumers ages 55+, identified by contrasting marketer perceptions against how consumers truly see themselves and behave.
moreManagement
Purchasing new technology: Overcoming vendor overload by Marilynn Larkin, MA
"Like most companies, we receive a constant flow of pitches from vendors who come to us with new technology solutions," Brookdale Senior Living's Andrew Smith, PMP, MEd, director of innovation and strategy, told me recently in an interview. "We love the idea that so many innovators are creating products with seniors in mind," he adds. "The truth is we often have to turn them away because the product is not at the right stage of development." I had reached out to Smith, who deals with this issue almost daily, because International Council on Active Aging CEO Colin Milner has said that many ICAA members struggle with making the right technology purchasing decisions for their organizations or communities--and that for some, fear of making the wrong decision often keeps them from making any decisions at all. Happily, Smith agreed to share the process he implemented with his team at Tennessee-based Brookdale to help readers who are grappling with similar concerns.
moreManagement
Five Meal Plan: Quincy Village reimagines food services
Quincy Village in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, focuses "on providing older adults with quality service and a meaningful experience." Set amid the mountains, forests and farmlands of Franklin County, the not-for-profit continuing care retirement community provides four levels of living--independent living, personal care, assisted living and skilled nursing--and serves approximately 450 residents ages 55 and older. ... "Quincy Village is always looking at how we can raise the bar and deliver and support the best engaging services and culture, and in doing so, enhance the quality of life for our residents," says Director of Community Life and Volunteer Services Laura Glass. "For example, we determined a need to enhance the dining experience within our community." Quincy Village staff researched and designed a new meal program that they believed would work best for residents in nursing care. "This plan breaks away from the traditional tray service found in nursing homes and replaces it with fresh, made-to-order food five times a day (instead of three)," Glass says. Called the Five Meal Plan, the new dining program "has truly allowed us to provide quality resident-centered care," she adds.
moreManagement
Lessons learned from benchmarking wellness by Patricia Ryan, MS, and Colin Milner
What can organizations dedicated to older-adult quality of life learn about the value of wellness programming from the 99 communities with independent and assisted levels of living, as well as 3,000 residents, who participate in the ICAA/ProMatura Wellness Benchmarks? The system aggregates data from resident survey responses and outcomes measures to reveal the impact of wellness programming from a business perspective. It also takes note of how participation affects quality of life for residents.
moreManagement
The National Benchmarks Report 2016: Executive Summary
What can organizations dedicated to older-adult quality of life learn about the value of wellness programming from the 99 communities with independent and assisted levels of living, as well as 3,000 residents, who participate in the ICAA/ProMatura Wellness Benchmarks? The system aggregates data from resident survey responses and outcomes measures to reveal the impact of wellness programming from a business perspective. It also takes note of how participation affects quality of life for residents.
moreManagement
Framing the value of wellness staff
Every day, which staff members interact with clients and residents of all functional abilities, in all types of living situations? The staff members who make those daily contacts are likely in the café or dining room, and in the wellness lifestyle areas: activities/engagement, fitness, recreation. The wellness workforce has the capacity to inspire and help so many. Doesn’t it make sense that they are critical to realizing the organization’s mission? The publication of the International Council on Active Aging’s Return on Investment (ROI) in Wellness Staff report spotlights the important role staffing has in developing and maintaining an effective wellness program.
more
