Author: Dayna Fentress
Major Program: Aging-General
Inspired by one Homemaker's own experience after the loss of her mother, the GoldenYears Wellness and Awareness Conference was born. She felt it was crucial that more individuals be aware of how to get their affairs in order, and signs to watch for regarding dementia and elder abuse, and more. Many times throughout the planning process she said, "there were just so many things I didn't know. People need to know these things." And she was right, people not only needed to know, b
Author: Amy Kostelic
Wits Workout is a peer-reviewed, pilot-tested, brain health resource tool developed to assist leaders who provide programming to older adults in community settings. It was developed by Extension colleagues, Chelsey Byers and Molly Hofer from the University of Illinois. Wits Workout has two main goals—to provide purposeful opportunities for older adults to engage intellectually, and to increase their socialization through ongoing group participation.The 264-page facilitator’s guide co
Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and demonstrated that over 90% of older adults who played two times a week for 10 weeks significantly improved physical, social and mental health. Together, Dr. Crandall and Amy Kostelic co
Author: Linda Burgard
Research shows that 24 percent of Americans aged 65 and older are socially isolated, and 43 percent of adults aged 60 and older report feeling lonely. Loneliness is associated with a 40 percent increase in a person’s risk of dementia, a higher risk for depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and a weakened immune system. Loneliness and social health are considered global public health issues due to their detrimental impact on physical and mental health. According to the Na
Author: Hardin Stevens
I served on the planning committee for the Embracing the Next Best Years of Your Life conference held on May 16, 2024, at the Clarion Hotel in Lexington. This was the 37th year of this conference being held. The conference is geared toward older adults but is open to anyone in the community. The planning committee is made up of professionals in the field of aging from the central KY area. As a planning member and presenter, I was able to secure the following presenters and their pres
Author: Stacy Trent
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the prevalence of cognitive decline is 11.1% in adults in the United States. When cognition is impaired, it can have an impact on an individual’s overall health and well-being. Several factors increase the risk of cognitive decline, including age, genetics, lifestyle, and health conditions. Engaging in intellectually stimulating activities like reading can help lessen its effects. Reading serves as a powerful tool for mental stimu
Author: Christy Stearns
The population ages 65 and over in Clinton County are projected to increase by 22.7% between 2010 and 2025 (KY By the Numbers, Clinton County Data Profile). One area of significant ranking from the 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment was more senior citizen support programs. With an anticipated growing senior adult population, the identified need for more programs, and past program success, a falls prevention unit of Bingocize® was implemented in Spring 2024 (the fourth 10-week unit
Author: Stephanie Hestand
Personal and professional productivity allows an individual to make progress and helps to complete necessary tasks throughout the day. Some of these tasks may include how they spend their time with family and improving their well-being. Unfortunately, many individuals are not as productive as they would like to be due to their personal home or workspaces getting cluttered or disorganized. The power of clutter can be a big distraction of completing daily tasks whether it is at home or work. Tips
Author: Ronda Rex
According to Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), “mental health problems are common among seniors and may include isolation, affective and anxiety disorders, dementia, and psychosis, among others. Many seniors also suffer from sleep and behavioral disorders, cognitive deterioration, or confusion states as a result of physical disorders or surgical interventions. Research suggests that seniors benefit from supportive social connections and clos
Author: Diane Mason
Discussing end-of-life wishes and plans can be uncomfortable, but important. According to LegalZoom (www.legalzoom.com) only about 32 percent of Americans have created estate planning documents. Additionally, more than half (52 percent) of Americans don’t know where their parent’s important documents are located. Determining your own end-of-life wishes and discussing difficult topics with loved ones can help reduce stress and ensure final wishes are fulfilled.The Boone County Coopera
Author: Lora Davidson
Jabez Quilt Seminar – An Opportunity for ConnectionResearch shows that 24 percent of Americans aged 65 and older are socially isolated, and 43 percent of adults aged 60 and older report feeling lonely. Loneliness is associated with a 40 percent increase in a person’s risk of dementia, a higher risk for depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and a weakened immune system. Loneliness and social health are considered global public health issues due to their d
Author: Shannon Smith
The impact of teaching homemakers about generational differences has been profound, addressing crucial needs and utilizing the most up-to-date information available. The lesson was meticulously organized, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding, while the presenter demonstrated exceptional preparation and deep knowledge of generational disparities.The success of the lesson is evident in the outcomes achieved. An impressive 90% of participants were able to identify and comprehend the six disti
Author: Asa Conkwright
Estate planning allows people to control what happens to their possessions after their passing. Without a legally recognized plan in place, the government may dictate how someone’s assets are distributed. While there are numerous informal approaches to estate planning, not all are legally recognized. This may create confusion and spark conflict among families during an already challenging time. To increase consumer knowledge on estate planning and asset distribution, the Grant County
Author: Kate Thompson
One in four Americans ages 65 years and older fall each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). In 2014, there were 8,164 fall-related inpatient hospitalizations for Kentucky residents ages 65+ (Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network, 2014). According to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center in Campbell County for seniors (age 65 +), the estimated emergency department visits to hospitals for unintentional falls from 2008-2012 was 30-40%.  
Author: Brooke Hogancamp
Community members of all ages need enhanced opportunities for physical and mental health. According to the 2020 US Census, ages 65 and over make up 22% of the population of Carlisle County (KY By the Numbers, Carlisle County Data Profile). To reach this specific population of the community and encourage increased efforts of health and physical exercise, Carlisle County FCS Extension and the Carlisle County Senior Citizens Center partnered on the implementation of Bingocize®. Bingocize® i
Author: Elizabeth Evans
COVID-19 Bingocize Pilot Program at Senior Apartment Complex According to Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), “mental health problems are common among seniors and may include isolation, affective and anxiety disorders, dementia, and psychosis, among others. Many seniors also suffer from sleep and behavioral disorders, cognitive deterioration, or confusion states because of physical disorders or surgical interventions. Research suggests th
Author: Keller
Hickman County seniors noted a fear of falling or additional injury when out and about or during exercise as a reason for neglecting to exercise. 6 of the 7 seniors who attended the initial information session listed this fear f injury or falling as the primary reason to not exercise or be more active, which 7 of 7 all agreed has effected them due to lower levels of energy and an increased level of depression, ranging from mild to more serious.Bingocize is a program developed by Dr. Jason
Author: Charlsey Garmon
Taylor County residents are increasingly facing the challenges that arise with aging. Residents are often lost in making financial, medical, and quality-of-life decisions. Although resources are available to assist with aging in Taylor County, many residents still do not understand what these resources are or how to utilize them. Often, this results in confusion and anxiety, preventing many from making the best decisions for their situations, or simply not utilizing resources at all. This issue
