Extension
It Starts With Us
Nurturing Healthy Youth and Adults
Nurturing Families and Individuals by Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices
S. Campbell
4-H Health Core Curriculum
4-H Youth Development Programming
Healthy couple and parenting relationships and resulting family stability benefit the well-being of adults and children. Co-habitating, same-sex, divorced, widowed and single households are the new majority.
Children who live absent from their biological fathers are two to three times more likely to be poor, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents.
In 2013, 25 percent of Kentucky children lived in poverty, ranking Kentucky 40th in the nation. Children who live in poverty are more likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays. Furthermore, children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children.
Strong families make strong communities. Anderson County families with youth need to build capacity to develop personal strengths, interpersonal communication, and life skills so they become stronger families. The community needs to
•Foster the optimal development of children and youth.
•Build community capacity to nurture all families through appropriate collaborations and programs.
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. 79% of Kentucky counties have aging populations greater than the US average. In 2056 the population over 65 will outnumber those who are under 18.
In Anderson County the fastest growing age group is adults age 65+. This group will grow by 47% in the current decade (2010-2020). The 20 year span from 2010-2030 will see a 99.3% in the 65+ age group.
Youth are at risk of premature death by unintentional poisoning or suicide which combined exceed car accidents as the cause of death.
Youth need to develop healthy relationships with peers and look at risk taking behavior from the perspective of consequences, especially from the viewpoint of a child born to them.
Adults including parents and caregivers for children will care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual in the family over the long term. These adults including 4-H youth volunteers will foster the optimal development of children and youth.
Parents will practice parental leadership skills.
Both parents and youth volunteers will build personal strengths and self-control,interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making.
Youth will develop healthy relationship skills with peers.
Participants in Know the 10 Signs will experience:
1. Earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease which leads to better treatment outcomes
2. Increase care giving knowledge and quality relationships
3. Increased ability to age in place
4. Increased confidence in managing their current situation such as talking about what is happening, calling a health care professional, following up with resources.
5. Improved features in the home to make it more accessible and safe.
Older adults and caregivers/family members will change their behaviors to encourage healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging by:
1.Increasing communication and enhancing relationships and social support.
2. Working as a family unit to acknowledge and embrace aging issues.
3. Practicing healthy behavior such as physical activity, healthy diet, stress management, sleep, mental exercise, and meaningful social engagement.
4. Making at least one assistive technology improvement in their home
Older adults and caregivers/family members will change their behaviors to encourage healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging by:
1. Increasing communication and enhancing relationships and social support.
2. Working as a family unit to acknowledge and embrace aging issues.
Initial Outcome: Participants know the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease, the benefits of early diagnosis, and know what to do if they notice some of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Indicator: Number of participants know the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease, benefits of early diagnosis and what to do if they notice some of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Method: Survey
Timeline: At conclusion of program
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge regarding home accessibility features and/or assistive technology and desire to implement these practices at home.
Indicator: Number of participants intending to implement one or more home accessibility features and/or technologies.
Method: Survey
Timeline: At end of program
Long-term Outcome: Participants are confident in managing their current situation such as talking about what is happening, calling a health care professional, following up with resources.
Indicator: Number of participants who feel confident in managing their current situation
Method: survey
Timeline: One year after program
Long-term Outcome: Participants improved features in the home to make it more accessible and safe.
Indicator: Number of participants who improved features in the home to make it more accessible and safe.
Method: Survey and home visit if possible
Timeline: One year after program
Initial Outcome: Youth describe healthy relationships with peers and practice communication skills with peers.
Indicator: Evaluation of personal communication styles and knowledge of personal boundaries in relationships
Method: Workbook activities and group discussion
Timeline: Every week during the 12 session program, Relationship Smarts 3.0 Plus
Audience: Adults age 40+
Project or Activity: Community meetings
Content or Curriculum: Alzheimer's Know the 10 Signs
Inputs: Church groups, senior citizen groups, civic groups
Date: October, December, January,June
Audience: Adults age 65+
Project or Activity: Community meeting
Content or Curriculum: Bedrooms, Bathrooms & Beyond
Inputs: Furniture store, contractors,
Date: September, January, March
Audience: 8th grade students in health class at Anderson Co Middle School
Project or Activity: 12 session program
Content or Curriculum: Relationship Smarts 3.0 Plus
Inputs: curriculum, workbook, health teacher, school guidance counselor
Date: Sept. and Oct.
