Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Wits Workout brings a diverse group of participants together creating new friendships

Author: Marsha Hagler

Major Program: Aging-General

About 11% of the U.S. older adult population is at risk for or suffers from subjective cognitive decline. Intellectual challenge and social interaction are important for brain health (University of Illinois Extension).  Wits Workout, developed by the University of Illinois Extension is a holistic, multi-modal workshop series that offers adults ages 50 and older facilitated, interactive dialogue and activities about behaviors that promote brain health.A 15-week series of Wits Workout was off

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Digital Literacy

Author: Nancy Doyle

Major Program: Aging-General

The number of older adults who are eager to try new technologies is increasing; however, they may face challenges and lack skills to safely navigate the digital age.  According to the FBI, scams targeting individuals 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in 2023, with over 908 cases being reported in Kentucky.  To address the needs of educating those who have been out of the classroom for quite some time, the Simpson County Extension Service held a series of three classes geared t

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Healthy Habits with Senior Citizens

Author: M. Elizabeth Coots

Major Program: Aging-General

At the Shelby County Senior Citizens Center, many older adults were facing health challenges linked to poor nutrition, limited physical activity, and a lack of knowledge about how to make healthier choices. With chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity on the rise, there was a growing need for educational programming to equip seniors with the tools and knowledge they needed to improve their health. Many participants were also struggling with understanding food labels and of

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Wits Workout

Author: Asa Conkwright

Major Program: Aging-General

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 consist

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Exercise for Your Body and Brian

Author: Kate Thompson

Major Program: Aging-General

In Campbell County, Kentucky, approximately 1,600 individuals aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, representing about 10.1% of the county's senior population. Statewide, around 80,500 seniors are affected by Alzheimer’s.  Both physical and mental exercise play a significant role in the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s disease.  To address this disease, the Campbell County Extension Service taught Exercise for Your Body and Brain to twenty i

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Aging Conference Educates Older Adults

Author: Amy Kostelic

Major Program: Aging-General

Issue: According to the US Census Bureau (2024), 18% of Kentuckians are age 65 or older. Unfortunately, Kentucky’s older adult and aging population are not generally healthy. America’s Health Rankings Senior Report placed Kentucky 48th out of 50 states for overall health and well-being of its older adults. Kentucky seniors lack access to affordable healthcare, suffer from multiple chronic conditions including obesity, struggle with food insecurities, live with mental health and other

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Wits Workout Bring Older Adults Together

Author: Lynnette Allen

Major Program: Aging-General

According to the Alzheimer's Association, as of 2023, an estimated 55 million people worldwide have dementia. The prevalence of dementia increases with age, affecting about 4% of adults aged 65-74 and up to 13% of those aged 85 and older. To help address this health concern, the University of Illinois Extension program Wits Workout was brought to Kentucky.  In the spring of 2024, Wits Workout was introduced in Breckinridge County.  Wits Workout is a multimodal workshop series that

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Connecting Seniors to Community Resources

Author: Alivia Faris

Major Program: Aging-General

This year the Scott County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences collaborated with several community partners to host a Senior Resource Fair in Scott County. This fair demonstrated how collaboration can positively impact a community. Recognizing the need for improved access to services for older adults, the FCS agent brought together a wide network of local partners to host a one-stop event designed to connect seniors with the support they need. This collaborative event united over 15

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Trinity Craft series

Author: Abbigale Gray

Major Program: Aging-General

Social isolation and cognitive decline are common concerns among older adults, especially those living in assisted living or long-term care communities. Many residents tend to stay in their rooms, limiting both their physical activity and opportunities for social engagement, which can negatively affect mental, emotional, and physical well-being.To address this need, the Trinity Craft Series was launched in early 2024 as a monthly outreach initiative designed to engage residents in hands-on craft

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Strengthening Minds and Spirits through WITS Workout

Author: Debra Hixon

Major Program: Aging-General

Strengthening Minds and Spirits through WITS Workout

Describe the Issue or Situation.  According to our government, over 7.2 million Americans aged 65+ are living with Alzheimer’s dementia as of 2025, which is nearly 1 in 9 seniors. It is estimated that more than 6 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s, with projections suggesting this number could rise to nearly 13.8 million by 2060.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).  WITS Workout aligns with proven dementia prevention

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Bingocize

Author: Christy Stearns

Major Program: Aging-General

Describe the Issue or Situation.Improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources and more senior citizen support programs received significant ranking in Clinton County’s 2023 data from the University of Kentucky Extension Statewide Community Needs Assessment.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).With an anticipated growing senior adult population, the identified need for more programs, and past program success, a nutrition education un

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Wit's Workout

Author: Katherine Alexander

Major Program: Aging-General

Wit’s Workout is a brain health resource tool developed to assist leaders who provide programming to older adults in community settings. Wit’s 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 Daviess County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent collaborated with the Owensboro Public Library to provide an eight-week series of Wit’s W

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Wits Workout

Author: Keller

Major Program: Aging-General

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, Dr. 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 guid

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Wits Workout

Author: Kennedy Hannah

Major Program: Aging-General

About 80,000 Kentuckians aged 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer's dementia. That represents roughly 10% of residents in this age group. Additionally 11.2% of adults aged 45 and over report subjective cognitive decline. Between 2020 and 2025, the number of older Kentuckians with Alzheimer's is expected to rise to around 86,000. Alzheimer's isn't just a health issue, its a public health and economic challenge. With the aging baby boomer demographic and insufficient special

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Wits Workout & Brain Health

Author: Christy Stearns

Major Program: Aging-General

Describe the Issue or Situation.Coping with the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of aging can certainly be stressful. Research clearly notes that positive mental health for older adults can be enhanced through intellectual engagement and socialization. Furthermore, one area of significant ranking from Clinton County’s 2023 data from the University of Kentucky Extension Statewide Community Needs Assessment was more senior citizen support programs.Describe the Outreach or Education

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Bingocize

Author: Rebecca Miller

Major Program: Aging-General

According to the CDC each year millions of older adults ages 65 or older fall causing a restriction in their activities for a day or more. One of the top priorities from the recent needs assessment done by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension identified wanting more programs and access to well-being resources.To address falls and to help our community feel more comfortable with daily activities and limiting falls, Bingocize was implemented. Bingocize is a 10 week, 20 sessions evidenc

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Bingocize

Author: Lora Davidson

Major Program: Aging-General

Many older adults in our community face challenges related to decreased physical mobility, social isolation, and an increased risk of falls. These issues not only impact their health and independence but also contribute to a diminished quality of life. Many are hesitant to participate in traditional exercise programs due to physical limitations or lack of motivation, leading to further inactivity and isolation.To address these concerns, our agency implemented the Bingocize® program—an

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Wits Workout

Author: Teresa Garcia

Major Program: Aging-General

According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Kentucky. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, and the most recent data shows the following:81,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Kentucky.11.2% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.157,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Kentucky.302 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer&rs

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment