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 48^th 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 social determinants of health like poverty, lack of transportation, and social isolation. As a result, advanced age in Kentucky is associated with increasing strain on individuals, families, healthcare and social services as the demand for services and support rises. It is important for those working in the aging communities in Kentucky to strengthen healthcare, support caregivers, expand access to long-term care and related services, and promote age-friendly communities. FCS Extension supports older adult’s overall well-being by offering resources and education on various topics including chronic disease management, physical activity, nutrition and wellness, mental health, financial management, and caregiving.  

In Fayette County, Extension sponsors the annual Embracing the Next Best Years of Your Life conference on aging to help educate older adults on what they can do to support their own quality of life and well-being. In years past, local agencies, organizations, and professionals, including Extension, supported two annual conferences in Lexington—"Embracing New Opportunities" (est.  1983) and "Next Best Years" (est. 1995). These conferences provided a unique opportunity for learning about health, wellness, recreation, and various aging resources. The conferences served older adults, aging families, and professionals working with older adults. For a re-start after the pandemic pause, Extension helped make the decision to combine the conferences in 2024 with the new name, Embracing the Next Best Years. Fayette County FCS Agent, Maranda Brooks, serves as conference committee chair. Amy Kostelic serves as a co-chair along with Jennifer Garland (Lexington Senior Center) and April Stauffer (UK Sanders Brown).   

Program/Target Audience: On May 15, 2025, approximately 150 older adults attended the Embracing the Next Best Years conference at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center in Lexington, KY.  Extension worked with UK Sanders Brown Center on Aging, the Lexington Senior Center, and Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging among other agencies to organize the conference.  The conference includes keynotes, lunch, entertainment and nine concurrent breakout sessions with topics related to health, senior resources, and leisure.

Outcomes: Of the 150 conference attendees, 92 (61.33%), completed conference evaluations. Most conference attendees were retired (74%) married (47%) white (73%) women (90%) age 65-74 (41%). 30% of attendees were 75-84 and 9% were 85+.  10% of attendees were employed full-time and 11% were employed part-time. 98% reported that they thought the overall conference was “good” or “excellent” with the variety of educational breakout sessions being the most valuable component. Conference breakout sessions included: 

1. Medical Cannabis
2. Understanding AI
3. Adaptive gardening
4. KY Real ID/vision
5. Brain health panel
6. Senior Travel 
7. Nutrition
8. Funeral planning
9. Music therapy

 Overall, participants commented about the “informative” sessions and “excellent” and “knowledgeable” presenters that helped them achieve a “better understanding” of the various topics. Some participants shared that ways in which they will change behavior as a result of a session: “…not going to take start taking CBD gummies—had thought about it.” “Loved the AI speaker. I feel safer.” “…new soil with plants each year.” “…ask AI questions correctly.” “I will use brain health activities.” “…sleep more and eat better.” “start exercising my brain.” “pay attention more to everyday life.” “I plan to make [funeral] pre-arrangements.”

This conference is valuable not only for the participants it reaches, but attendees are from the community and provide firsthand feedback on what they need and what they would like to see in future educational conferences and programs, including Extension education. For example, conference attendees suggested topics related to more funeral planning and end-of-life preparation, sleep hygiene, more AI and IT support and protection, financial management, vitamin and nutrition needs, DEI, age friendly community indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities, more senior travel, STDs, weight loss drugs and aging, volunteer opportunities for seniors, more brain health, more music, non-invasive procedures, and blended aging families.