Adult Development and Aging
Adult development and aging programs provide an understanding of older adults and the aging process, family caregiving issues and opportunities, and the impact of our aging society on communities and the nation. NIFA partners with land-grant universities and other federal agencies and private partners to promote healthy aging, support family caregivers, and maximize scarce resources through intergenerational approaches to reconnecting the young and old.
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Mastery of Aging Well: A Program for Healthy Living
"Mastery of Aging Well: A Program for Healthy Living" is an online course developed by Oregon State University’s Division of Outreach and Engagement. It is available free of charge at http://outreach.oregonstate.edu/aging-well. Created for aging adults and those who care for them, the five-part series is co-sponsored by AARP Oregon and supported by a USDA/NIFA grant. The target audience is all Oregonians, particularly those in rural areas. As the course is Web-based, it is also available worldwide. The Mastery program consists of self-paced learning modules narrated by Sharon Johnson, OSU Extension Service associate professor in family and community health, and project leader for content development. Each segment offers practical, research-based information relevant to the challenges many older adults face every day. Segments include Memory Difficulties, Depression, Medication, Food and Nutrition, and Physical Activity and Exercise in Later Life. A second Mastery program, an expanded fee-based version led by an online instructor, will launch in early 2010. A third program, also fee-based and with instructor interaction, will include all course materials on DVD and the opportunity to earn a certificate of completion.
Assessment of Nutrition and Exercise Science programs at Land Grants report
The assessment of Nutrition and Exercise Science Programs at Land Grant Universities is completed. Conducted by Dr Melinda Manore, Professor and Extension Specialist at Oregon State University, this assessment benchmarks successful nutrition and exercise programs from a national perspective. A summary report and program guidance are available and should be of interest to nutrition department chairs, family and consumer science program directors, and faculty in nutrient, kinesiology, and related fields. The assessment and related materials are online.
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Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety
Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety is a West Virginia University program that helps seniors take charge of their health and safety. Rural Health Grant 2007 funding was used to help develop the educational materials. The My Taking Charge Toolbox has a tip sheet and slideshows for download. 'Taking Charge' provides health promotion materials on arthritis, heart health, diabetes, being active, eating smart and fall prevention.
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Sally Bowman testifies before Senate Special Committee on Aging
Sally Bowman, extension family development specialist with Oregon State University, testified on April 16 before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Senator Herb Kohl chaired a hearing titled, “Caring for our seniors: How can we support those on the frontlines?” The session featured a report that the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies’ recently released, “Retooling for an aging America: Building the health care workforce.” Other panelists included representatives from the American Geriatrics Society, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and business magnate Martha Stewart.
The report brief and fact sheet are available online.
The Senate Special Committee on March 5 convened a hearing on senior hunger. Kate Houston, Deputy Under Secretary USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, was among those who testified. Video and written testimonies from the hearing are available online.
The full report on senior hunger is available online on the Meals on Wheels Web site.
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Montana State University Extension announces new curriculum for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease
Montana State University (MSU) Extension announces the availability of a new curriculum for caregivers of friends and loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease. In response to the need for educational materials for informal caregivers in rural areas, MSU Extension developed the 5-part series focusing on the well-being of the caregiver. The series begins with an overview of the disease, followed by sessions on home adaptations, caregiver stress, nutritional needs, and financial and legal issues to consider. The toolkit comes with PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, fact sheets, and video components. MSU Extension received four national awards for this curriculum, including the National Association of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Florence Hall Award, the Jeanne Priester Award, and two awards from the National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife Foundation Award. The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Series Toolkit is available for $125.00 from MSU Extension at 406-994-3451 or online.
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