Healthy Aging
Definition
Healthy Aging: the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.
Functional Ability: The capabilities that enable all people to be and do what they have reason to value.
Articles and Books
Introduction to Aging: A Positive, Interdisciplinary Approach
Sugar, J. (2014). Introduction to Aging: A Positive, Interdisciplinary Approach. Springer Publishing Company.
This research-based yet highly engaging textbook for undergraduate and masters-level college students ushers in a new paradigm of aging-that of aging as a positive stage of life. t sheds a positive light on getting older by viewing the elderly and near old as a diverse, capable subset of our population. A discussion of roles in the family, workplace, and greater society along with physical changes, health, sexuality, living environment, work, retirement, and cultural considerations reveal the challenges and opportunities faced by our rapidly aging population.
Happiness is a choice you make: Lessons from a year among the oldest old
Leland, J. (2018). Happiness is a choice you make: Lessons from a year among the oldest old. New York: Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
An extraordinary look at what it means to grow old and a heartening guide to well-being, Happiness Is a Choice You Make weaves together the stories and wisdom of six New Yorkers who number among the “oldest old”― those eighty-five and up.
How We Age A Doctors Journey into the Heart of Growing Old
Agronin, M.E. (2012) How We Age A Doctors Journey into the Heart of Growing Old. Da Capo Lifelong.
Agronin conjures an unforgettable look at what aging means today: how our bodies and brains change over time—and how even the very way we understand aging is changing too.
Successful Aging
Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful Aging. Dell Pub.
This book is a compelling and inspiring presentation of what determines how well we age. It reveals the results of the MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America, which show how to maintain optimum physical and mental strength throughout later life.
The end of old age: Living a longer, more purposeful life
Agronin, M. E. (2018). The end of old age: Living a longer, more purposeful life. New York, NY: Da Capo Life Long.
The latest scientific research and Dr. Agronin’s, a leading geriatric psychiatrist, first-hand experience, are brilliantly distilled in The End of Old Age–a call to no longer see aging as an implacable enemy and to start seeing it as a developmental force for enhancing well-being, meaning, and longevity.
Positive aging: A guide for mental health professionals and consumers
Hill, R. D. (2005). Positive aging: A guide for mental health professionals and consumers. New York: Norton.
Offers a more innovative model of old age that focuses on achieving and fostering a positive mindset. In doing so, Hill not only explores the social and psychological trends of aging in the 21st century, but offers an illuminating examination of how advances in the science of gerontology influence the phenomenology of growing old.
Aging, society, and the life course
Morgan, L. A., & Kunkel, S. (2016). Aging, society, and the life course. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
This classic text, now in its fifth edition, is distinguished by its emphasis on social context, social processes, and social structures as part of a broader understanding of the sociology of aging and the life course. Presenting an objective view of the realities of aging, both positive and negative, the book examines aging from micro/macro, personal, community, societal, and global perspectives.
The 100-Year Life Living and Working in an Age of Longevity
Gratton, L., & Scott, A. (2017). The 100-Year Life Living and Working in an Age of Longevity. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
(More of a how-to psychology/econ book) Drawing on the unique pairing of their experience in psychology and economics, Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott offer a broad-ranging analysis as well as a raft of solutions, showing how to rethink your finances, your education, your career, and your relationships and create a fulfilling 100-year life.
The Language Of Ageism: Why We Need To Use Our Words Carefully
The Language Of Ageism: Why We Need To Use Our Words Carefully. (2015). The Gerontologist, 55(Suppl_2), 541-541. doi:10.1093/geront/gnv254.02
(From Abstract) Language carries and conveys meaning which feeds assumptions and judgments that can lead to the development of stereotypes and discrimination. As a result, this study closely examined the specific language that is used to communicate attitudes and perceptions of aging and older adults.
Slideshares and Presentations
Exercise Tips for Seniors
Exercise Tips for Seniors
A very basic overview about exercise from medicine.net answering questions about exercise and age.
Secrets for a Longer Life
Secrets for a Longer Life
Various recommendation for living longer such as keep moving, stop smoking etc.
Should Getting Old Mean a Loss of Control:
Should Getting Old Mean a Loss of Control:
Professor Nicole Ruggiano, an expert on health and long-term care policy, chronic care and supportive services for aging adults at Florida International University, gives a TED Talk on aging.
Healing the Epidemic of Isolation for Senior Citizens (Elissa Altman) TEDx UNR
Healing the Epidemic of Isolation for Senior Citizens (Elissa Altman) TEDx UNR
TED Talk explains the importance sharing time at the dinner table with senior citizens. Sharing food and stories with our senior citizens nourishes not only their bodies, but also their whole hearts, spirits, and souls.
Exercising and Older Adults:
Exercising and Older Adults:
Dr. Richard J. Hodes, Director of the National Institute on Aging, explains why regular physical activity is important to him and adults of all ages. Exercise helps promote good health, strength and independence. Biking, walking, strength training etc: exercise is the best medicine.
Bluezones: Nine Common Diet and Lifestyle habits that keep them past age 100
Bluezones: Nine Common Diet and Lifestyle habits that keep them past age 100
A talk that explains certain part of the world called blue zones where people tend to live longer because of different lifestyle habits including people tend to eat netter, have strong communities, walk/exercise more, carry less stress etc.
Current Top Websites
Sanford Center for Aging (UNR School of Medicine)
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and well-being among elders through education, translational research, and community outreach. We bring this mission to life through a variety of programs, services, educational coursework and clinical services, all designed to improve the quality of life for elders.
The National Institute on Aging leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. NIA is the primary Federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease research.
MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America
Branch of the MacArthur Foundation whose research focuses on how major societal institutions, including retirement, housing and labor markets, government and families, will have to change to support the emergence of a productive, equitable aging society.
We’re a respected national leader and trusted partner to help people aged 60+ meet the challenges of aging. We partner with nonprofit organizations, government, and business to provide innovative community programs and services, online help, and advocacy.
The mission of the Stanford Center on Longevity is to accelerate and implement scientific discoveries, technological advances, behavioral practices, and social norms so that century long lives are healthy and rewarding. Includes tons of articles and important things.
The John A Hartford Foundation: Dedicated to Improving the Care of Older Adults
We invest in aging experts and practice innovations that transform how the care of older adults is delivered. Since 1982, The John A. Hartford Foundation has awarded more than $565 million in grants to enhance the health and well-being of older people.
Other Online Reources
Tools
Sanford Center for Aging Resource and Publication Page
Various resources and publications on topics such as advance care, health issues, educations
The Rest of Your Life Planning
It is an interactive organizational system that walks you through all of the documentation and information necessary for you to plan your life and healthy aging. Includes information on medical, legal, financial, health services, retirement and the necessary forms that go along with these topics.
Gaining Momentum: Aging Toolkit
How can the field of aging help build a better understanding of aging, ageism, and what it will take to create a more age-integrated society? The Strategic Frame Analysis®, is an empirical investigation into the communications aspects of aging issues. In this toolkit, you’ll find this original research as well as a variety of materials to help you apply it. If you use communications to make the case for adapting society to the needs of an aging population, the evidence-based insights here will be useful to you.
E-books/ DVD:
Still Dreaming: Creativity is Magical
Stretching physical, emotional and mental limits, a group of elderly actors, musicians and dancers bravely dive into a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and find the thrilling value of engaging in your passions no matter your limitations or your age
Manual:
Finding the Frame: An Empirical Approach to Reframing Aging and Ageism (2017)
an investigation that combines theory and methods from different social science disciplines to arrive at reliable, research-based recommendations for reframing a social issue.
Small Cheat Sheet or non-scientific article:
Predictors of Aging, Biological, Psychological and Sociological
A blog offering information on three different theories on aging and how best to age successfully.
Infographics:
Top Infographics on aging on Pinterest
54 of the best care and health aging infographics.
Webinars and Online Trainings
News Articles
A great article in the NY Times that provides several great books and quotes about what it means to age. Gives examples of what older people have done and could do to stay happiness in their older age.
Successful aging is the absence of disease and disability; having high cognitive and physical function and being actively engaged with life. These were the common characteristics of the 1,000 successful agers they studied.
First in a series of articles about aging populations in various countries.
Different news articles from the BBC on the topic of aging.
Nevada Specific Resources
Tools
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Reno
(From their website) Offering short-term educational experiences, leadership and volunteer opportunities for adults 50 and older, OLLI seeks to foster intellectual stimulation, new interests and personal development through academic pursuits, and to provide a community in which to gather.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Las Vegas
(From their website) If you’re a retired or semi-retired adult interested in becoming a part of a spirited community of engaged learners, we offer you learning activities designed to enhance your understanding of the world—from the historic, to the cultural, to the social—using a variety of non-credit learning formats.
Articles
Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disability Services
Various documents and resources for Nevada.
Aging Trends and Challenges in Nevada
A 2012 article by UNLV documenting what is projected to occur in Nevada over the coming decades and how best to prepare for the influx of seniors.
Live Webinar
A live webinar on June 15, 2021 on the topic of addictions among the aging hosted by CASAT Training.