According to The Journals of Gerontology we are living in an aging society. One in every eight Americans are 65 years old or older, and the fastest growing age group is 85 years or older. The projected growth of these age groups are to more than triple over the next 10 years. With the aging process it’s best to continue the importance of a healthy lifestyle. As a person ages the increase of multiple chronic conditions happen and then can lead into the need for assistance. There are many factors in which the increase of chronic conditions occur. The most important and controllable effect on a person’s health are their eating habits and their physical activity. 

Mrs. Ann Leach and her husband, James joined the SNAP-Ed programming in December 2019 that is held weekly at the Montgomery County Senior Center. The Leach family would always be engaged in the programs and eager to try new things. Ann and James started looking more at their own health in ways they could improve it. Upon the lessons of reading labels and my plate she decided to set goals for herself and her husband. He was on board and joined her on the journey of a better lifestyle. Each week the Leach family would sample the SNAP-Ed recipes, then go home and apply it their weekly meals. They started to cut back on their portion sizes, sodium intake, as well as their fat intake to improve their eating habits. Their physical activity began to make change to make progress of being healthier. 

Since the Leach family’s experience with SNAP-Ed, Ann and James both have increased their physical activity by making it fun. They love to camp and enjoy walking in nature’s beauty while in the outdoors. However for the days that the weather isn’t the best, they found other ways to still keep the importance of physical activity going. They are now members of a local gym and part of the Sliver Sneakers Program. Both say they feel better overall and have a lot more energy. They also cook more of their meals at home instead of dining out. They’ve increased their need to check their pantry or refrigerator before going shopping to plan their healthy meals out for the week. It takes them longer time in a grocery store as they take time to read labels to make better food choices. Ann is thankful to be on a healthier track and has plans to keep attending SNAP-Ed programming to help keep motivated, and to reach another goal of losing 20 pounds.