Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy Families, Healthy Individuals
Strengthening Families and Individuals
FCS
Cook Together, Eat Together
Faithful Families
Family Development General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 16.4% (2019 Census Data). By 2040 it is projected that every district will see an increase in the percent of the population that is age 65 and older (Zimmerman/KY by the Numbers). As the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, older adults influence everything from consumer behavior to health-care costs (U.S. Census). While we may be adding years to life, there is concern about life quality. This is because a person’s life expectancy, the total number of years a person is expected to live, does not always match a person’s “health span”—time spent in good health (Institute of Medicine). The life expectancy of Kentuckians, 75.1 years, fluctuates as much as 9 years between counties and ranks among the bottom five states. Heavily influenced by life-long lifestyle behaviors and choices, including quality of diet, physical activity and tobacco use, the Kentuckian health span is also below national averages. Kentucky FCS can help individuals and families establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and relationships throughout the lifespan as way to positively influence optimal aging and help reduce issues such as chronic disease, obesity, opioid and alcohol abuse, and mental illness.
- Identify, develop, and evaluate programs and policies that promote healthy aging in Kentucky
- Kentuckians improve health span through lifestyle choices and behaviors related to overall health and well-being
- Kentuckians of all ages adapt healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, physical activity, no smoking/binge drinking.
- More Kentucky households prepare for caregiving
- Kentuckians will seek health screenings and vaccines
- Older Kentuckians will prevent falls
- Kentuckians will address mental health
- Kentuckians understand the importance of lifestyle choices and behaviors throughout their lifespan on their overall health, well-being and life quality
- Kentuckians learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices
- Kentuckians learn that caregiver preparation in important
- Kentuckians learn that disease prevention and early detection is important
- Kentuckians learn about resources to enhance life quality, safety and to support aging families
Outcome: (ST) Learn about prevention and how to adapt healthy lifestyles
Indicator: Total number of individuals/families reached with information to improve healthy lifestyle choices specifically related to aging/longevity
Method: Lesson Evaluations: Keys to Embracing Aging, Stand up to Falling, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Beyond (Home Accessibility), AARP Prepare to Care, 10 Warning Signs/UAD
Timeline: Ongoing
Outcome: (I) Adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity
Indicator: Of the total number of individuals/families who learned information about healthy lifestyle choices related to aging/longevity, the total number of individuals/families/caregivers who adapted their behavior
Method: 3-6 month Post Lesson evaluations: Keys to Embracing Aging, Stand up to Falling, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Beyond (Home Accessibility), AARP Prepare to Care, 10 Warning Signs/UAD
Timeline: Ongoing
Outcome: (LT) Kentucky’s overall health span increases
Indicator: Number of programs and policies identified, adapted, created and evaluated to promote healthy aging in Kentucky
Method: Overall Health Life Expectancy increases in KY
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: All ages
Project or Activity: Adapting Healthy Lifestyles
Content or Curriculum: Keys to Embracing Aging, Stand Up to Falling, Cook Together/Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Body Balance, Health Partners, WIN, Credit Education, Money Habitudes, Recovering Your Finances
Inputs: Partner with community resources related to programs.
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: All ages
Project or Activity: Caregiving
Content or Curriculum: AARP Prepare to Care, Alzheimer’s Association-10 Warning Signs and Understanding Alzheimer’s disease, Memory Banking, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Faithful Families, Estate Planning, Parenting a Second Time Around
Inputs: Partner with community resources related to programs.
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: All ages
Project or Activity: Disease Prevention/Early Detection
Content or Curriculum: Alzheimer’s Association 10 Warning Signs/UAD, Stand Up to Falling, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Health Partners,
Inputs: Partner with community resources related to programs.
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: Seniors
Project or Activity: Aging workshops
Content or Curriculum: Aging awareness based on community need in collaboration with local community partners (food safety/nutrition, fall prevention, caregiving, healthy lifestyles, grand parenting, finding purpose/connection, etc.)
Inputs: Community partners related to theme
Date: Monthly Lessons with Seniors
Author: Shannon Smith
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
The beginning of 2020 began like any year with Extension, spring and summer programs had been planned and scheduled, supplies had been ordered, but in March everything came to an abrupt stop. Due to COVID 19 global pandemic Kentuckians were forced to quarantine at home, with youth and families spending more time together. Extension offices were empty and face to face programs were cancelled. The Bracken County Extension Office came up with weekly family bags to help educate an
Author: Shannon Smith
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
While we educate our community all year long about Breast Cancer Awareness, extra efforts are made during the month of October. Our message is clear: Breast cancer affects women and even men, of all ages and does not discriminate. Self-care is a vital part of everyone’s health and sometimes as women we put ourselves on the back burner. The Bracken County Extension Office partnered with the Bracken County Health Dept., Primary Plus a local health care provider, and the Kentucky Cance
Author: Shannon Smith
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
The COVID 19 pandemic has brought many new challenges to families. However, one of the positive outcomes has been a resurgence of home gardening and family togetherness. The Bracken County Extension Agents worked jointly together to provide information, garden kits and videos to help educate and promote home gardening amongst youth and their families. This past year many people have been interested in growing their own produce to provide for their families, enjoy a fun and educ
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: Agriculture
The impacts of community gardens extend far beyond that of providing fresh vegetables to those involved. A sense of belonging, teamwork skills, stress reduction, and increased physical activity are all benefits of community garden programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on new changes and challenges to communities and extension programming. The biggest question is how we engage our community during a pandemic? Community gardens seemed to be the obvious answer with all the benefits surroundin
