Keys to Embracing Aging: Sleep

Sleep helps a person concentrate, make decisions and fully engage in school, work and social activities. Not getting enough sleep or ignoring sleep problems and disorders can lead to poor health, accidents, impaired job performance and relationship stress. Sleep is a necessity for feeling good, staying healthy and maximizing performance. Sleep is also associated with optimal aging throughout the lifespan.

Casey County presented Keys to Embracing Aging: Sleep. 8 participants completed post lesson evaluations. As a result of the program, 8 participants reported improved understanding regarding the impact of sleep on overall health and well-being. 8 reported intentions to implement at least one strategy to maintain or improve healthy sleeping habits.  

Specifically, this program on sleep taught 8 participants that proper sleep can promote a longer, healthier life. 8 participants also learned that sleep can enhance metabolism and help control weight, 8 enhance safety, and 8 promote a happier mood and disposition. Furthermore, 8 participants learning that sleep can promote disease prevention and 8 enhance learning and memory. 

While, 5 participants reported that they generally get enough sleep each night, 8 participants intend to make choices that will improve sleep habits.      

A valuable program, participants learned that sleep helps with safety and helps prevent disease.  All participants will be sent a 30-day follow-up evaluation. 

30-Day Follow-up Keys to Embracing Aging: Sleep 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 sleep, the program included a 30-day follow-up evaluation. Of the 8 who were sent follow-up evaluations, 7 were returned. 7 reported that they implemented at least one strategy to improve overall healthy sleep habits. Specifically, participants reported that they: turned on music to fall asleep to and stopped drinking caffeine in the afternoon.