Extension
It Starts With Us
Aging Gracefully
Embracing Life as We Age
FCS, 4-H, ANR
Aging-General
Family Development 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 hhealth 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
InitialOutcome: 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)
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: 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)
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-Term Outcome: 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, Bingocize, Adolescent Brain Health, Cook Together/Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Body Balance, Health Partners, Master Health Volunteer, Story Walk, Be More, WIN, Credit Education, Money Habitudes, Recovering Your Finances
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Youth Service Centers, Volunteers, Extension Facilities, Homemakers
Dates: Year Round 2024-2026
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, Master Health Volunteer, Faithful Families, Estate Planning, Parenting a Second Time Around
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Youth Service Centers, Volunteers, Extension Facilities, Homemakers
Dates: Year Round 2024-2026
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, Master Health Volunteer, Be More
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Youth Service Centers, Volunteers, Extension Facilities, Homemakers
Dates: Year Round 2024-2026
Audience: All Ages
Project or Activity: Aging Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Aging awareness based on community need in collaboration with local community partners
Inputs: Extension Professionals, Youth Service Centers, Volunteers, Extension Facilities, Homemakers
Dates: Year Round 2024-2026
