1 Aging Well Living Well Bettye M Mitchell

1 Aging Well, Living Well! Bettye M. Mitchell, MA – Director of Aging Programs, Area Agency on Aging of East Texas Beverly J. Brown, MBA – Associate Director of Aging Programs, Area Agency on Aging of East Texas Dr. Christie C. Osuagwu, MPA, MSN, FNP, Ph. D – Family Nurse Practitioner Wendell “Doc” Jeffery – Living with Chronic Diabetes

2 Growing Old “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. ” Eleanor Roosevelt

3 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.

4 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

5 Your Area Agency on Aging Promoting Healthy Living

6 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”

7 Administrative Structure 28 Area Agencies on Aging

8 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.

9 Core Services – We Can Help Information, Referral and Assistance Nutrition Benefits Counseling/Legal Assistance Home Repair/Modification Nursing Home Ombudsman Emergency Response Service Care Coordination Transportation Caregiver Support Program Evidenced Based Programs Respite for Family Caregivers Transportation

10 What Are Evidence-Based Programs? Research tested models for intervention Practical proven effective community programs Provide health benefits

11 Why Evidence-Based Programs? Promotes healthy lifestyles, healing and wellness Encourages Reduces behavioral changes risk of disease, disability and injury

12 Area Agency on Aging of East Texas Diabetes 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

13 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

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

15 DEEP Outcomes Participants better informed Change in behavior Improved nutrition Improved A 1 C levels Healthier participants

16 Aging Well Through Healthy Lifestyle Dr. Christie C. Osuagwu, MPA, MSN, FNP, Ph. D Family Nurse Practioner

17 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

18 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. ”

19 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

20 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.

21 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

22 “ What Is Health 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

23 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

24 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

25 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

The Role of Good Nutrition In 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. 26

27 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

28 Wellthy Plates for Your Health

29 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

30 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

31 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.

How To Achieve A Healthy 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 32

Top Healthy Foods and Why 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! 33

34 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

35 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

36 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

37 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

38 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

39 Thank You For Listening REMEMBER Your health is your greatest wealth. You can began your journal to good health today…

40 My Story: From Toe to Head Wendell “Doc” Jeffery Living with Chronic Diabetes

41 A Little About Doc Native of Tyler, Texas College Football Star Free Agent, San Francisco 49 ers Pop Warner and High School Football Coach Oilfield Employee Schlumberger and Baker-Hughes Graduate, Criss Cole School for the Blind

42 My Story: From Head to Toe Declining Health Emotional Disparity Chronic Disease Management Road to Wellness

43 My Motto DO-ABLE!

“ 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 44 ”