Johnson County

Keys to Embracing Aging: Positive Attitude

Program Date: April 25, 2017

Keys to Embracing Aging Positive Attitude Program Success Story

Because the connection between the mind and body is so strong, an overall positive attitude, including an upbeat outlook on life, can affect overall happiness, health and well-being. Similar to eating well and getting plenty of exercise, good health practices should be a habit that start early in life (Phillips and Ferguson, 2013). A positive attitude can impact mental health and physical functioning including the ability to fight disease and infection. Attitude can also affect relationships and social networks and can help make success in life more likely. The bottom line: being more positive across the lifespan causes less stress and enables people to live healthier, happy lives (Lawson, 2009; Mayo Clinic, 2011; White, 2012). 

Johnson County presented Keys to Embracing Aging: Positive Attitude to 8 total participants. Of these, 6 completed post lesson evaluations. As a result of the program, 6 participants reported improved understanding regarding the impact a positive attitude has on overall health and well-being. 6 reported intentions to implement at least one strategy to improve their attitude.  

A valuable program, participants learned to always keep a sense of purpose, to accept change, and that attitude is a choice. All participants will be sent a 30-day follow-up evaluation.  

30-Day Follow-up Keys to Embracing Aging: Positive Aging Success Story

Keys to Embracing Aging is a Cooperative Extension educational health intervention aimed at improving overall health by focusing on ways in which individuals and families can be empowered to take control of their own lifestyle decisions and behaviors in terms of health and well-being. To demonstrate behavior change regarding positive attitude, the program included a 30-day follow-up evaluation. Of the 8 who were sent follow-up evaluations, 8 were returned. 7 reported that they implemented at least one strategy to develop a more positive attitude and 8 reported an overall improved attitude as a result of the program. Specifically, participants reported that they: that they tried to find the positive in situations, and they listened more.