Extension
It Starts With Us
Embracing Life as We Age
Embracing Life as We Age
FCS, 4-H, Ag
Embracing Life as We Age (general)
Stand Up to Falling
Keys to Embracing Aging
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.
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
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
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)
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 2017
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Change in behavior related to healthy aging, independent aging and quality aging.
Method: Pre and Post Test
Timeline: 2016-17
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: July 2015-June 2017
Author: Sarah Congleton
Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)
According to EdSource.org, fewer than half of high school students across the country feel they are ready for college and careers. An overwhelming number of students, 87%, want to eventually earn a college degree and land a career. But many believe that their schools are not helping them develop the skills they’ll need to succeed after graduation.Approximately 30% of college students do not know how to boil an egg and 52% don't know how to change a tire. To address this issue, Martin C
