Martin County CES

Title:

Embracing Life as We Age

MAP:

Embracing Life as We Age

Agents Involved:

FCS, 4-H, Ag

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Embracing Life as We Age (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Keys to Embracing Aging

Situation:

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). 11.2% of Martin County is over 65 years of age. 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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Martin County Families are able to:

Decrease falls -Decrease obesity-Decrease # 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 -Build strong KY families

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increase in the number of people who:

Change behavior to decrease risk of falling.-Increase communication and enhance relationships and social support. -Enhance brain activity -Improve mental health -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

Initial Outcomes:

Increased awareness of: Risk of falling -Healthy lifespan behaviors -Life story and legacy –Ageism-Empathy -Death, dying, loss and bereavement. -Healthy eating and food safety-Age-related family issues (e.g. dementia, power of attorney, living wills, failing health, end-of-life)

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome:

Indicator: Change in social, economic, and environmental issues related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.

Method: pre and post tests

Timeline: August 2020

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Change in behavior related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.

Method: Pre and Post Test

Timeline: 2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 65+, Baby Boomers, Family caregivers, Children of aging

Parents, Health care providers

Project or Activity: Adapt lifestyles to promote healthy aging; Adjust and manage environmental factors to promote independent aging; Encourage people to practice healthy communication and enhance relationships to promote quality aging.

Content or Curriculum:

•Stand Up to Falling

•Walk In My Shoe

•Home Accessibility/Age Simulation

•Living with Loss

•Memory Banking;

•Home accessibility/Age Simulation

•Keys to Embracing Aging

•Living with Loss

•Caregiving and Alzheimer’s disease program

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers

•Kentucky CES publications and resources

•eXtension resources

•National/State trends

•2007 CES Issues Flow

•2009 Agent Needs Assessment

•7 FCS Initiatives

•Julie Zimmerman (Community Development)

•Kentucky Extension Homemakers (KEHA)

•Health Education Through Extension Leadership (HEEL)

•Department for Aging and Independent living & Area Agencies on Aging

•UK College of Public Health

•UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging

Date: 2020