Success StoryNortheast Area Keys to Embracing Aging Series Leadership Training



Northeast Area Keys to Embracing Aging Series Leadership Training

Author: Brenda Cockerham

Planning Unit: Johnson County CES

Major Program: Keys to Embracing Aging

Plan of Work: Developing and Empowering Community Leaders for Engagement

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

The North East Area Extension Homemakers are made up of 10 counties along Highway 23. This year the Area advisory Council  selected to do the Keys to Embracing Aging Series for the whole year. Agents coordinated a one time training event for all the leaders throughout the Area who will be leading the lessons in their clubs. These leaders and the agents will deliver these programs throughout the year to the 1000 plus membership base each month. Of the 29 who responded to the evaluation of the training the following were the responses. As a result of attending the training:

25 improved their attitude, and plan to implement at least one strategy to develop a more positive one. 

28 increased their understanding of how their eating habits and relationship with food had and impact on their health; understood that nutritious foods helped maintain a healthy body and protected them against illnesses, disorders and chronic diseases.; intend to eat healthier and smarter, and develop a more positive relationship with food.

25 realized that there was a link between social and stronger long term cognitive functioning; gained understanding of how physical activity helps boost brain health, and how it is important to have metal stimulation for brain health, 24 recognized the important link between a healthy diet and a healthy brain, and how powerful the impact sleep can have on brain functioning and development; 23 plan to improve their overall brain health and implement at least one strategy to improve it.

26 increased their understanding that  meaningful social activity affects their overall health and well-being; and how it promotes independence, a longer happier life, and happiness. It promotes physical and mental health, reduce the risk of depression as well. 25 intend to improve their overall engagement in meaningful social activity and plan to implement at least one strategy to improve their social activity. 

26 recognize that utilizing safe practices in all aspects of their lives can influence overall health, well-being and life quality, they intend to practice better safety in their daily lives implementing at least one new strategy to improve their personal safety. 

22 understood how financial choices they make today will affect their health and well-being and that the financial choices they make today can promote independence and life quality. 21 plan to make choices that will improve their overall financial health planning to implement at least one strategy to improve it. 

While the whole program with be summarized in the 2019-20 reporting year for the whole area, in Johnson County results are already surfacing. 

Extension Homemakers County Health Chair created an incentive for people walking and exercising and have also created an award for this competition. Homemakers at the County Annual meeting began reporting their activity levels and their new goals of 30 -60 minutes of walking or physical activity 3 times per week. 

The County President accepted a job at a nearby county as managing the foods and activities for the clients there who are physically and/or mentally challenged. She stated, "They were eating hotdogs and junk food when I got there, sitting around doing nothing, so I have been introducing them to home cooked healthy foods, we move, we make things...I've been using the Keys to Embracing Aging as my guidebook, my Bible to help me move them in the right direction. Please get me the next series of lessons, they've helped immensely!"








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