Sometimes seniors are not easy to convince to try positive health behavior changes. The Kenton County Cooperative Extension Services Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Assistant partnered with National Church Residences to provide nutrition education at two senior living facilities; Colony Senior Apartments and Highpoint Senior Apartments. 

The SNAP-Ed Assistant worked with two groups teaching a seven part series from the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum, along with additional sessions on Good Health for Every Body, Better Beverage Choices and Fiber for Every Body. Diet and food safety were main concerns for the seniors. The SNAP-Ed assistant also focused more MyPlate and food safety.  

After reviewing initial food recalls and behavior questionnaires Highpoint senior living participants showed the biggest improvement in both diet quality and food safety. For the 12 participants, according to data from a national reporting system the 100% of the participants showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators (i.e., eating fruits and vegetables, drinking less regular soda and cooking dinner at home). In the food safety data point Colony senior living participants showed 80% improvement in one or more food safety practices (i.e., washing hands before preparing food, not thawing frozen food at room temperature, or using a meat thermometer). 

According to data from a University of Kentucky Food and Nutrition Specialist, every person that receives education regarding some aspect of food borne illness prevention, saves their state an estimated $1,000. Potential savings to Kentucky citizens, businesses and government, due to food safety education included in these Healthy Choices for Every Body series is $25,000.