Afraid of Falling? For Older Adults, the Dutch Have a Cure

Faced with an obesity epidemic, communities in Australia are making changes to become healthier and promote a healthy lifestyle. Programs have included increased education around grocery shopping with a nutritional mindset as well as increasing exercise through initiatives that encourage children to walk to school. Since making changes, individuals in the communities have attested to the effectiveness and obesity and overweight rates in some regions have notably decreased.

In China, elderly people tend to exercise in groups in public parks which has lead to the formation of senior playgrounds. Promoting a "longstanding cultural tradition" as well as good health, these playgrounds are gaining attention of cities worldwide.

Connecting with art enriches the lives of patients struggling with dementia and Alzheimers. Across Germany, several programs are using art to stimulate the minds of an aging population. At the Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, seniors meet to discuss art pieces that affect them. Elsewhere, in Bonn, the Demezionen theater ensemble performs for retirement homes. And even clowns can bring a positive atmosphere to seniors struggling with dementia!

Overdose Lifeline is an organization in Indianapolis, Indiana that is using boxing classes as support groups for those struggling with grief. After noticing a pattern of anger in those the organization aimed to help, the group started "grief boxing" as a way to help work through those feelings.

Senior centers often offer activities for senior citizens to choose from, but most of the options aren't centered around physical activity or fostering community. Men's Sheds, Australian concept that has recently caught on in the United States, combats this issue by bringing men together to work on projects "shoulder to shoulder, from building furniture to volunteering at community events."

People who work in caring professions often experience vicarious trauma, and don't always take the time to seek care for themselves. Rino Consulting Solutions aims to help solve this issue, especially as it impacts people of color, through "a unique mashup of professional guidance and outdoor-based therapy."

It is not uncommon for senior citizens to face mobility issues, but a clinic in Guanacaste is working to "boost mobility for senior citizens and, along with it, their independence and safety." The program, which attendees eventually graduate from, places individuals of similar ability in groups where they work on mobility techniques with a physical therapist while also socializing with their peers.

As our loved ones age, their driving skills can change. Through expert opinions from the Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association, several measures can improve this transition for caregivers and their loved ones. These steps include how to approach them and where to find educational driving materials. Moreover, the necessity of having a plan in place is emphasized to ensure seniors have a means of transportation in order to prevent depression and other ailments.

Japan is a rapidly aging country. To help combat present and future ramifications it has implemented "Smart Wellness City Comprehensive Special Zones to Achieve Health and Longevity" to encourage and reward healthy living. So far it has resulted in citizens leading more active lives, BMI decreases for those who had a BMI of over 25, and lower medical costs.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center geriatrician Dr. John Batsis has obtained a $796,500 grant to develop a home-based system of helping obese seniors lose weight, build muscle, and improve their strength using technology, video conferencing and personal coaching.