Letcher County is a rural, hilly county with no major interstates.  The population of Letcher County declined 10.7 % between 2010 and 2018 with 19.5% of the population being 65 years or older.  Adults in Letcher County exceed the state average for lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, poor nutrition, physically unhealthy days and mentally unhealthy days.  (Kentucky Health Facts.org).  

According to a study by the Harvard Medical School, isolation and loneliness jeopardizes health and the “effects can be worse than that obesity and smoking.”  

The Letcher County Extension office began offering monthly quilt and sewing activities in 2018.  A similar program was offered in 2019 titled “Quilt as You Go.”  The sewing technique was new and a new Master Clothing Volunteer assisted in teaching. In addition to teaching new skills, the goal of the program was to create connections between residents who share common goals, goodwill and interest to maintain or improve their health.    

The number of participants grew from 10 to 24 over the year.  The women ranged in age from 40 to 80+ years old.  About 20% of the participants were new to Extension programs.    They learned about the program via Facebook, newsletters and through friends telling them about the program.  

In addition to constructing a quilt, the participants enjoyed the fellowship, laughs, stories, and learning from each other.  Several ladies have taught others whether family or friends the same technique, making the whole experience a true pay-it-forward collaboration.  Some ladies loved the project so much they made other similar quilts, purses and table runners.

100% reported an increase in confidence and 100% shared that they benefited from the support and assistance of others when they became frustrated to resolve problems.  Since the program, the participants have displayed their quilts with family and friends and on social media.  

One member continued to attend program and bring other projects to work on so she could enjoy the social networking.  Extension is providing social medicine by engaging thinking skills of older adults with creative activities in an environment where there is companionship and emotional support.