Perry County is a rural county with no major interstates but does have two major highways intersecting in the county seat.  The population of Perry County declined slightly over 9 % between 2010 and 2018 with 17% of the population being 65 years or older.  Thirty-five percent of adults in Perry 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 obesity and smoking.”   

The Perry 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 the current Master Clothing Volunteer and a county needlework 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 8 to 22 over the year.  The participants ranged in age from 10 to 80+ years old.  About 20% of the participants were new to Extension programs.    They learned about the program via 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 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 who helped them solve their problems.  Since the program, the participants have displayed their quilts with family and friends and on social media.   

Several members continued to attend other Extension programs and started attending the quilt guild regularly in order to learn more and 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.