According to 2019 Census data, 16% of Kentuckians and 18.6% of Logan Countians are 65 years old and older. By 2040, it is projected that EVERY EXTENSION DISTRICT will see an increase in the percentage of older adults (Zimmerman, KY By the Numbers, 2018). In order to add life to years, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging, in regard to health, independence and life quality throughout all stages of life. The goal of the Embracing Life as We Age Initiative is to develop programs to help individuals, families and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.

To address the needs of the aging population, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources,  and 4-H Youth Development Extension Agents and SNAP Assistant partnered with the Rotary Club to host the “Homemade Happiness Senior Drive Through Event.”  This event offered a multitude of resources targeting the senior population of the county.   Resources included in the grab and go kit included educational, informational materials on physical activity, fall prevention, healthy eating/food safety, gardening, birdwatching, healthy recipes, and do-it-yourself activity ideas.  The kits also included a jar opener, gripper socks, toiletry items, word searches/crosswords, calendars, pens, and stress balls.  

The senior drive through event reached a total of 274 individuals in Logan County.   Participants in the event shared in a follow up that the resource materials were excellent and very interesting and that the jar opener, in particular, was extremely useful and much needed.