Aging Well, Living Well!

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Bettye M. Mitchell, MA – Director of Aging Programs, Area Agency on Aging of East TexasBeverly J. Brown, MBA – Associate Director of Aging Programs, Area Agency on Aging of East TexasDr. Christie C. Osuagwu, MPA, MSN, FNP, PhD – Family Nurse PractitionerWendell “Doc” Jeffery – Living with Chronic Diabetes

Growing Old2

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Learning Objectives

Have a better understanding of outcomes of evidence-based programs of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas

Have a better understanding of the effectiveness of nutrition education, diabetes self-management, stress management in promoting positive outcomes, and the mental and physical health in older adults.

To share resources and identify opportunities for collaborations and partnerships of other entities in promoting healthy living for older adults.

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Objectives of the AAA Texas Program

Supports a comprehensive system of access to information and resources

Assist in coordinating and arranging for services to individuals 60 years of age and older

Provide access and assistance directly and through contractor and vendor

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Your Area Agency on AgingPromoting Healthy Living

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Mission: Older Americans Act of 1965

To provide assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons through grants to the States for community planning and services and for training, through research, development or training project grants and to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and operating agency to be designated as the “Administration on Aging”

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Administrative Structure

28 Area Agencies on Aging

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Who May Receive Services

Individuals who are 60 years of age or older

Individuals who are at risk of institutional placement

Who have the greatest economic need/ targeting low income minority

People who live in rural areas

People with limited English proficiency

People with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders

Family members and/or other caregivers who are younger than 60 may receive

support services on behalf of the person for whom they provide care.

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Core Services – We Can Help

Information, Referral and Assistance

Benefits Counseling/Legal Assistance

Nursing Home Ombudsman

Care Coordination

Caregiver Support Program

Respite for Family Caregivers

Nutrition

Home Repair/Modification

Emergency Response Service

Transportation

Evidenced Based Programs

Transportation

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What Are Evidence-Based Programs?

Research tested models for intervention Practical proven effective community programs Provide health benefits

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Why Evidence-Based Programs?

Promotes healthy lifestyles, healing and wellness Encourages behavioral changes Reduces risk of disease, disability and injury

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Area Agency on Aging of East TexasDiabetes Education Empowerment Program (DEEP)

Provides community residents with the tools to better manage their diabetes

Reduces complications and lead healthier, longer lives

Empowerment and Education

Based on national medical care and diabetes self-education guidelines and recommendations

Revised every two years to reflect current knowledge and information

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DEEP Target Areas

Older African Americans who are 60 years old and above

Recipients of Medicare with diabetes (regardless of age)

Persons living in rural communities

Expansion of DEEP Classes to rural communities

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Coming Soon…

Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers Texercise – Get Moving Stanford Chronic Disease and Diabetic Self Management

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DEEP Outcomes

Participants better informed Change in behavior Improved nutrition Improved A1C levels Healthier participants

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Aging Well ThroughHealthy Lifestyle

Dr. Christie C. Osuagwu, MPA, MSN, FNP, PhDFamily Nurse Practioner

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Learning Objectives

To promote physical and mental health through understanding:

The role of good nutrition for optimal health

The benefits of physical activity and stress management.

The importance of self-management of diabetes and other chronic health problems

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Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

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My Definition of Health

A state of complete physical, mental, social emotional and

spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Adapted from WHO definition

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Wellness

Is a state of being in good health

Achieved through lifestyle choices we make

Supported by avoidance of risky behaviors or detrimental practices like smoking, drug and alcohol abuse

Enhanced by daily practices– nutrition, exercise, stress control, and harmony with God and fellow man.

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PREVENTION: Key to Wellness

“Prevention is better than cure”

Ensures that the body is in good state

Helps individuals to live disease free and enjoy life

Makes it possible to be more productive members of society

Saves money and unnecessary anguish

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What IsHealth Promotion?

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behavior towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions.

Source: WHO

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How To Promote Health

Adopt healthy lifestyles: eat balanced meals rich in fruits and vegetables, exercise, stress management and control

Fight obesity like a plague Engage in healthy community activities: fellowships, prayer

groups, healthy social groups Add health promoting supplements: Vitamin C, D, B-complex

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Necessary Preventive Tests

FOR WOMEN

Mammograms: for early detection of cancer, beginning at age 50

Pap smears: for early detection of cervical cancer for sexually active women.

FOR MEN

Prostate specific antigen (PSA): for early detection of prostate cancer

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Necessary Preventive Tests

GENERAL Colonoscopy: for early detection of colorectal cancer, beginning at age 50, but sooner

in people with a known family history. Lipid Disorder: for men beginning at age 35, and for women beginning at age 45 Diabetes screening: for early detection of type 2 diabetes Blood pressure: for all adults 18 years or over, for early detection of hypertension –

goal 120/80 or less. Obesity: all children and adults require screening and intensive counseling. HORMONE IMBALANCE: beginning at age 40-45 for both men and women

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The Role of Good NutritionIn Health and Wellness

Balanced meals ensure that you are taking advantage of all food groups to enhance health and well being.

Different food groups contribute different health promoting benefits ,and failure to include those groups in your food choices can lead to under-nourishment and even development of some diseases.

Foods in their most natural state, like fruits and vegetables, are preferred.

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Nature’s Provision

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

Over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine said “let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”

Healthy balanced meals can be used as medicine for our bodies

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Wellthy Platesfor Your Health

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Self-Management Diabetes

If you have diabetes, it is important to know the following:

Normal blood sugar levels and your role in working with your doctor to achieve it for you

Make it a practice to check your blood sugar regularly at home

Adopt a dietary/exercise practice that ensures healthy blood sugar level and avoid empty calories

Maintain a healthy weight with BMI 25 or below

Know the importance of foot care and other routine tests like eye exam by an Ophthalmologist

Control/manage stress

Keep your doctor’s appointments regularly

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Stress Management

There are several ways to manage stress:

Avoid role overload and know when to say no

Eat balanced meals and add mood boosting options

Ensure you get enough rest and sleep

Take time off work for vacation and relaxing time with family

Engage in routine physical activity like walking

Get a massage and try yoga and meditation

Practice forgiveness routinely

Engage in church activities and other social gatherings that enhance mood

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Facts About Stress

We all deal with stress in our lives and there is both good and bad stress; in either case, managing the stress is critical to health and well-being.

Too much stress decreases our body’s ability to cope by decreasing our immunity and releasing a lot of stress hormones

Too much stress predisposes our bodies to succumb to diseases – cancer, mental health issues etc.

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How To Achieve AHealthy Body As We Age

Healthy and graceful aging is achieved only when we start at an early age to adopt healthy lifestyles that include the following:

Make physical activity a routine part of your daily living

Eat sensibly– lots of fruits and veggies and smaller portions of other low calorie, low fat foods

Avoid too much stress and unhealthy practices like smoking, illicit drug and alcohol use

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Top Healthy Foods andWhy They Are Good For You

According to the Mayo Clinic Women’s Healthsource, the following foods are not only tasty and nutritious, but they can help reduce the risk of diabetes!

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Top Healthy Foods

Good source of pectin, a fiber that can lower cholesterol and glucose levels

Good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects the body’s cells

May contain compounds that may protect against cancer and certain lung diseases

Packed with fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, calcium and vitamin E,

A natural antioxidant

Most of its fats are monounsaturated, so they are good for your heart as they help to lower cholesterol

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Top Healthy Foods

Provides calcium, potassium, folate and fiber

Contains phytonutrients – compounds that may help to prevent diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers

Also contains betacarotene (an antioxidant), as well as excellent source of vitamin C

Rich, low calorie source of fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients

Regular intake may improve short term memory and reduce the cellular damage associated with aging

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Top Healthy Foods

(small red, pinto, and dark red kidney varieties)

Excellent low-fat source of antioxidants, protein, dietary fiber and copper. Also good source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and thiamin

(preferably wild salmon)

Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids believed to provide heart benefits

Low in saturated fat and cholesterol and a good source of protein

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Top Healthy Foods

High in vitamin A. Also a good source of calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, riboflavin and vitamins B-6 and C.

Has plant compounds that may boost immune system and help prevent certain cancers

Derived from the center of wheat seed

A good source of thiamine, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc

Can be sprinkled over cereals, yogurt and salads

Can also be used in muffins, cookies and pancakes

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Summary/Conclusion

Aging is a natural process that subjects our bodies to go through some inevitable decline

We can age gracefully and healthily if we make the right choices beginning early in our lives

Good balanced nutrition can actually be medicinal to our bodies when eaten in the right quantities

The elderly is at greater risk for malnutrition Understanding the need and role of good nutrition for this population is very critical Appropriate referral should not be delayed once it is determined that an elderly

person is unable to manage their nutrition

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Thank You For Listening

REMEMBERYour health is your greatest wealth. You can began your journal to good health today…

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My Story:From Toe to Head

Wendell “Doc” JefferyLiving with Chronic Diabetes

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A Little About Doc

Native of Tyler, Texas College Football Star Free Agent, San Francisco 49ers Pop Warner and High School

Football Coach Oilfield Employee

Schlumberger and Baker-Hughes Graduate, Criss Cole School for the Blind

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My Story: From Head to Toe

Declining Health

Emotional Disparity

Chronic Disease Management

Road to Wellness

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My Motto

DO-ABLE!

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I’m not the healthiest, but I am healthy. I’m healthy to the point where there are things that I have to eat that I don’t want to eat, but I eat it because I’m enjoying staying alive.

BILL COSBY

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