Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy Aging (FCS)
Promote Healthy Lifestyles
Diane Mason
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 13.3%, a number that is expected to double in the next 40 years due to the aging Baby Boomers (post WWII babies born between 1946-1964). Approximately 25% of Kentucky’s population includes Boomers, who, in 2011, started turning 65. Meanwhile, babies born in Kentucky in 2011 are projected to live to be 75 years old (3 years younger than the national average). Whether it is the graying of America or extended life expectancies, aging is a lifespan process. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging, in regard to health, independence and life quality throughout all stages of life. The goal of the Embracing Life As We Age Initiative is to develop programs and work with other FCS initiatives to help individuals, families and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.
Change in social, economic, and environmental issues related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.:
Decrease falls
Decrease obesity
Decrease number of individuals with chronic disease
Increase physical activity
Increase estimated health savings
Increase caregiving knowledge and quality relationships
Improve financial education
Improve healthy homes and communities
Improve quality of life for Kentucky’s aging families
Change in behavior related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.:
Change behavior to decrease risk of falling.
Increase communication and enhance relationships and social support.
Enhance brain activity
Improve mental health
Create a legacy
Increase skills to interact/work with older adults
Make healthy eating choices and follow safe food handling practices
Work as a family unit to acknowledge and embrace aging issues
Change in awareness, knowledge, and aspirations related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.:
Risk of falling
Healthy lifespan behaviors
Life story and legacy
Ageism
Empathy
Death, dying, loss and bereavement.
Healthy eating and food safety
Financial Planning
Age-related family issues (e.g. dementia, power of attorney, living wills, failing health, end-of-life)
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of aging issues
Indicator: Post session evaluation
Method: Post session evaluation
Timeline: Immediately following program
Intermediate Outcome: Change in behavior to improve individual health or home environment for safety
Indicator: Evaluation information
Method: Mailed evaluation
Timeline: 3 to 6 month after program
Long-term Outcome: More individuals in community residing at home longer and health is improved or maintained
Indicator: Statistics
Method: Monitor statistics of aging population in county
Timeline: 4 years
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky
Inputs: Curriculum
Date: November 2019
Audience: Adults of general public
Project or Activity: Medicare 101
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky and other Cooperative Extension materials
Inputs: guest speakers, other Extension agents from other counties
Date: September 2019
Audience:
Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs:
Date:
Author: Diane Mason
Major Program: Ten Warning Signs/Understanding Alzheimer’s disease
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). An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages live with Alzheimer’s disease. As many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). The cost o
