Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2019Jul 1, 2018 - Jun 30, 2019





Keeping Seniors Active

Author: Kate Thompson

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

One-third of adults ages 65 years and older fall each year (Hornbrook 1994; Hausdorff, 2001). Between 2001 and 2005, there were 5,689 seniors (age 65+) in Kentucky who were hospitalized with a principal diagnosis indicating a fall (Kentucky State Plan on Aging 2009-2012). According to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center in Campbell County for seniors (age 65 +), the estimated emergency department visits to hospitals for unintentional falls from 2008-2012 was 30-40%. Each emergency

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Brain Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Natalie Taul

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

One in three senior adults dies each year due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016).Alzheimer’s is an incurable brain disease that causes a slow, progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Learning more about the disease and its warning signs is important because timely detection may offer benefits for people living with dementia and their families. For example, some memory loss or d

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Improving the Aging Process and Intergenerational Relationships Through Quilting

Author: Judith O'Bryan

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

The body’s physical and mental decline associated with aging varies from person to person, but common issues can be a decline in memory, difficulty learning new things and trouble focusing from one task to another.  Research shows that people who stay intellectually engaged are more likely to maintain their mental acuity.  Quilting has been done for years to provide warm blankets for families, but in the last few decades retirees have turned to quilting to help fill the

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Improving the Aging Process and Intergenerational Relationships Through Quilting

Author: Lora Davidson

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

The body’s physical and mental decline associated with aging varies from person to person, but common issues can be a decline in memory, difficulty learning new things and trouble focusing from one task to another.  Research shows that people who stay intellectually engaged are more likely to maintain their mental acuity.  Quilting has been done for years to provide warm blankets for families, but in the last few decades retirees have turned to quilting to help fill the time gap

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Quilt Seminar Stitches Together A Lifetime of Learning

Author: Angie York

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

The body’s physical and mental decline associated with aging varies from person to person, but common issues can be a decline in memory, difficulty learning new things and trouble focusing from one task to another.  Research shows that people who stay intellectually engaged are more likely to maintain their mental acuity.  Quilting has been done for years to provide warm blankets for families, but in the last few decades retirees have turned to quilting to help fill the time gap

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Remaining Healthy As You Age

Author: Janey Cline

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Engaging and maintaining meaningful social activities and relationships throughout the lifespan is vital to overall to health and well-being. Engaged people are often healthier, happier, less depressed and demonstrate enhanced brain vitality (NIA, 2009; Alzheimer’s Association, 2011; Park, 2009). They also contribute to stronger families and communities.The Hart County Healthy Living exercise program began meeting in 2008 and is still very active in 2019. The instructor as well as many of

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Stand Up to Falling

Author: Rachel Hance

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 13.3%. In 2012, according to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, over 7,000 adults 65 years of age or older were hospitalized and approximately 27,000 older adults were treated for fall related injuries in Kentucky hospitals. To address this issue locally, Logan County presented Stand Up To Falling to participants at the Russellville Senior Center. Following the program, 75% indicated that the program increased their underst

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The Importance of Balance

Author: Kelli Bonifer

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

The Adair County Family and Consumer SciencesExtension Agent collaborated with KEHA leaders to offer the Healthy Homemakersseries to a total of fifty participants. 100 percent of participants identifiedreasons we need daily exercise as a result of the Importance of Balance program.100 percent of participants examined how exercise affects their health.98 percent of participants participated in physical activities to help balance.

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Imroving the Aging Process and Intergenerational Relationships through Quillting

Author: Hazel Jackson

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Improving the Aging Process and Intergenerational Relationships Through QuiltingThe body’s physical and mental decline associated with aging varies from person to person, but common issues can be a decline in memory, difficulty learning new things and trouble focusing from one task to another.  Research shows that people who stay intellectually engaged are more likely to maintain their mental acuity.  Quilting has been done for years to provide warm blankets for families, but in

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Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions

Author: Crystal Osborne

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Strong families play an important role in the community and contribute to a healthy society overall.  For example, positive development of a young child depends on a parent’s ability to nurture, teach and provide.  Despite daily stressors such as finances, health and emotional barriers, positive family interactions, including a sense of belonging, love, connection, trust, sensitivity, and responsibility, can contribute to overall well-being.  Family traditions are just one e

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Musculoskeletal Health for Adults

Author: Diane Mason

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Musculoskeletal diseases affect more than one out of every two persons in the United States age 18 and over, and nearly three out of four age 65 and over. Trauma, back pain, and arthritis are the three most common musculoskeletal conditions reported, and for which health care visits to physicians’ offices, emergency departments, and hospitals occur each year. The cost of treating major musculoskeletal diseases, which often includes long-term pain and disability, is also greater than f

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Stand Up to Falling

Author: Leslie Workman

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Pike County Family & Consumer Sciences presented Stand Up to Falling to 20 participants. After the program, 14 participants increased their knowledge to reduce the risk of falling; and (# or % who answered “yes” to question 34) increased their knowledge regarding how to safely get up from a fall. Twelve expressed aspirations to reduce fall risk and make a positive behavioral change toward healthy, independent, and quality aging. Fall prevention programs demonstrate positive chang

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Life Story

Author: Tamera Magee

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Franklin County presented Life Story as a leader lesson to twenty-five Ft. Harrod Area Homemaker leaders. These leaders would facilitate the lesson at the club meeting. As a result of the program, participants demonstrated an increase in knowledge regarding basic concepts of life story. Many of the ladies expressed aspirations to document their life story. 100% of participants verbally expressed that they felt the program enhanced personal meaning and understanding.Participants anticipate using

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Manners Boot Camp

Author: Anna Morgan

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Manners Boot Camp

Alex J. Packer, PH.D author and educator who has wrote many books on manners says “The building blocks of good manners- respect, empathy, kindness and consideration- never change. But times do. And when times change, manners change. If you’re going to keep your edge, you’ve got to stay on top of these changes.” The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent conducted a 6 week program on manners and etiquette at the Fulton County Elementary School. Forty-six third grade students p

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Ever Had a Leak? "Urine" Not Alone! Homemaker Lesson

Author: Anna Morgan

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Ever Had a Leak? "Urine" Not Alone! Don’t be embarrassed. It happens to many people from time to time – the unwanted urine leak. In fact, it is likely that 13 million people in the US suffer from regular urine leaks. Many more women have the issue than men. At some point in their adult lives, 50% of women will suffer from the excessive urge to urinate or experience the involuntary loss of urine, also referred to as urinary incontinence (UI). Urinary incontinence (UI) can ha

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Aging in Kentucky

Author: Amy Kostelic

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Aging is an important FCS program area because the Commonwealth of Kentucky is graying. According to Kentucky by the Numbers/US Census Data, by 2040, every extension district in Kentucky will see an increase in the percent of the population age 65 and over.  The aging programs are integrated with all 7 FCS initiatives and embrace a lifespan approach to address lifestyle adjustments, changing family situations, the adaptation of homes, and healthy relationships during life transitions. Progr

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Cultural Diversity in Food

Author: Anna Morgan

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Food is an important part of culture. Traditional cuisine is passed down from one generation to the next. It also operates as an expression of cultural identity. Through this lesson participants gained knowledge of culture and how it is reflected through food by understanding culture, how our ancestry helps to define our food, how our location helps to define our food, how various international cuisines came to our country, and how different cooking techniques involved in international cuisineTh

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Preparing families to plan for end of life care

Author: Rachael Price

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Throughout all life stages, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension help individuals, families, and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.  To address some of these issues within Grant County, the Grant County Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture Programs collaborated with Bluegrass Navigators, and other local agencies and businesses to ha

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Act Fast-Stroke Awareness

Author: Valerie Holland

Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)

Act Fast- Stroke AwarenessStroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and the third leading cause of death in both the nation and Kentucky. Ischemic stroke accounts for 85% of all strokes. The only approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke has to be given within three hours of the beginning of a stroke. Stroke patients who receive this treatment have at least a 30% chance of having minimal to no disability. This translates into higher rates of patients being discharged to home or re

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