May 2007: CYFERnet Celebrates Older Americans Month

Join us in celebrating Older Americans Month and its theme, selected by the U.S. Administration on Aging, Making Choices for a Healthier Future.

Did you know that some 78 million baby boomers will turn 65 in 2011? Today, one in six Americans is age 60 years or older. While most older Americans are active members of their families and communities, millions are at risk—at risk because they live alone without a caregiver, live in inadequate nursing homes or other institutional settings, have serious physical or mental impairments, are isolated in rural areas, or are experiencing some form of abuse or neglect. The theme for Older Americans Month encourages us to learn more about how to be healthier as we age, become healthy family caregivers, and work together to address the needs of future generations. Here are just some of the many resources available through CYFERnet aimed at making choices for a healthier future.

Aging Gracefully: Making the Most of Your Later Life Adventure
“Aging Gracefully” is a complete educational program on positive aging. It was produced by the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and may be used free-of-charge for nonprofit educational purposes. The Program features a research-based publication and provides a range of creative teaching tools and resources.

Baby Boomers Come of Age!
This curriculum from Purdue Extension addresses issues of interest to baby boomers such as money, health and more. Born between 1946 and 1964, many boomers are now reaching their 50s, and are preparing for the “second stage” of their lives. Includes a step-by-step guide for the presenter, plus master copies for more than 50 overheads and more than 50 handouts.

The Caregiving Project for Older Americans
This project is a collaboration that aims to improve the nation’s caregiving workforce through training, the establishment of standards, and the creation of a career ladder. A joint venture of the International Longevity Center-USA and the Schmieding Center for Senior Health & Education, the effort combines the talents of a policy research center with a clinical outpatient and health education program.

Community Care Options
This fact sheet from the Family Caregiver Alliance presents an overview of the different options available to caregivers and persons with cognitive disorders and other chronic health conditions.

Dispelling the Myths of Aging
This four-page fact sheet from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension describes the results of the aging process. It details the physical changes to the senses, body systems and functions, and mental changes. It also describes how caregivers can assist the elderly through these changes.

Family Caregiver Alliance
The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) addresses the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.

Golden Years are Active Years, Study Shows
New research from the Urban Institute shows that almost 80 percent of those age 55 and older spend time working, volunteering for an organization, taking care of family members, or helping people outside their own households. Nine out of 10 adults age 55 to 64 take part in at least one activity. Eight out of 10 adults age 65 to 74, and almost six in 10 age 75 and older, participate in one or more activities. Learn more about the benefits of volunteering as we age.

A Guide to Taking Care of Yourself
Studies show that counseling and support groups in combination with respite and other services help caregivers remain in their caregiving roles longer, with less stress and greater satisfaction. This FCA fact sheet provides suggestions on how to care for yourself while caring for a loved one.

Maintaining Nutrition as We Age
From the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Department of Aging, this fact sheet provides information, ideas and tips on how to exercise and eat right through the latter part of life.

National Alliance for Caregiving
The National Alliance for Caregiving Web site is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them, and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers.

National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging is a charitable organization with a national network of more than 14,000 organizations and leaders. Members include senior centers, area agencies on aging, adult day service centers, faith-based service organizations, senior housing facilities, employment services, consumer groups, and leaders from academia, business and labor. The programs help older people remain healthy and independent, find jobs, increase access to benefits programs, and discover meaningful ways to continue contributing to society. Includes links to professional development and ways to become involved in the Aging Advocacy Network.

Steps to Healthier Aging
This site provides information on the “You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging” program, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Steps to a Healthier U.S. initiative, which encourages Americans of every age to make healthier choices. The “You Can!” campaign is designed to increase the number of older adults who are active and healthy by using a partnership approach to mobilize communities.