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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- Trends

 

Engaging with ElliQ by Marilynn Larkin, MA

"Robots that engage with people are absolutely the future. There's no question that's where robotics is moving," states Brian Scassellatis, PhD, a professor of computer science, cognitive science and mechanical engineering and director of the Social Robotics Lab at Yale University. ... Among the offerings moving right along with this trend is the award-winning "ElliQ, the Active Aging Companion," developed by Intuition Robotics.

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Connected communities: A differentiator for sales, a boon for residents and staff by Marilynn Larkin, MA

Technology companies targeting older adults are finding a fertile testing ground in active-aging communities. In the January/February 2018 issue of the Journal on Active Aging, we reported on Maplewood Senior Living's experience piloting the Rendever virtual-reality software. In this column, we learn how and why Carlsbad, California-based Kisco Senior Living has embraced K4Connect. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, K4Connect provides "connected-life" technology that integrates in-home automation, health and wellness products, and social engagement services for residents and their families.

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What an "ignited" older adult will look like in 2035 by Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS

Mark Twain said that life would be better if we started at 80 and worked down to 18. George Burns said as he smoked his cigar, "If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." He lived vigorously for 100 years. Being the comedian he was, when asked what he would like for his 90th birthday, he said, "A paternity suit"! Both Mark Twain and George Burns were "ignited" seniors in their time who lived twice their life expectancy and thrived through their last days. Based on their birthdates, they were anomalies not only for their longevity, but also due to their profound productivity through their entire long, ignited life spans. They indeed preserved and enhanced their brains' neural networks and cognitive ability. Today, the world is facing disruptive change without precedent. We will soon have more older people than children, and centenarians are becoming commonplace. Many questions arise from these seismic demographic shifts. Can we maintain or enhance health and cognitive ability as we age? How will society address these issues? What roles will technology and science play in supporting our seniors to stay ignited? ... Let's briefly look at the demographics and science of aging before addressing the concept of an ignited senior, how society must adjust, and the impact of technology and science on the ability of our older adults to "ignite."

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Perspectives: What's happening in technology for aging adults by Liz Seegert

It was only 10 years ago that the first Apple iPhone debuted and we could hold a computer in the palm of our hand. In less than a decade, we've developed amazing advances that allow us to experience virtual reality through a pair of glasses, smart chips that track our movements down to a few meters, and integrated health technology that allows a surgeon in California to assist in a complex procedure in Florida. Like the Boomers who helped invent many of these advances, technology is having a huge impact on the active-aging industry. However, some experts say the industry isn't keeping pace with nee

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The future is upon us: Canyon Ranch's Dr. Richard Carmona talks technology by Colin Milner with Jenifer Milner

Author Thomas L. Friedman makes the case in Thank You for Being Late, his recent best-seller, that we are living in an "accelerated" world due to the faster pace of change in the "three largest forces on our planet," including technology--which is growing exponentially. "As a result [of these accelerations], so many aspects of our societies, workplaces and geopolitics are being reshaped and need to be reimagined," he writes. Technological advances offer active-aging proponents new possibilities to promote health and well-being for the 50+ adult and for organizations to implement their missions, goals and business strategies. Professionals in active aging take a deep interest in the types and quantities of technology available for purchase. In common with so many others, however, they also feel greatly confused at times.

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The value proposition: Embracing technology for client wellness and business success by Marilynn Larkin, MA

The International Council on Active Aging is building on insights gathered during the technology-focused 2016 ICAA Forum, as well as the latest research, to keep members up to date on advances relevant to active-aging stakeholders. "Over the past few years, there's been a greater emphasis in society as a whole--and also within our membership--on utilizing technology to improve health and well-being, to streamline the operational side of an organization and to achieve greater success with the business model," says ICAA's founder and CEO, Colin Milner.

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