Overall, more than half of Wisconsin counties have recently offered at least one health-related program to seniors.
When appropriate, these flags are used to identify different kinds of programs:
Evidence-based
Training-required
Stand-alone
Cancer Clear and Simple
Cancer Clear & Simple is an out-of-the-box program from the UW Carbone Cancer Center Cancer Health Disparities Initiative (CHDI), offered in partnership with Family Living Programs. The program has been taught at the 2015 WAHCE Conference. Adaptations are available for rural communities, African American communities, and Latino communities (in Spanish). 22 counties throughout Wisconsin are partnering with agencies to implement the educational program for broader audiences in their counties. For example, Kathy Metzenbauer in Juneau County is partnering with public health, human services, department of aging, and hospitals to implement this program as a “coalition effort.” They are training retirees to teach it. For more information, or to become a trained facilitator, contact Mary Ann Schilling, co-lead trainer, maryann.schilling@wisc.edu.
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Dementia awareness
A seminar that was recently offered to the HCE group in Kewaunee county.
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Diet and Exercise
A seminar that was recently offered to the HCE group in Dodge county.
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Dining with Diabetes
This is an off-the-shelf nutrition program for people who have been diagnosed with type I, type II, or pre-diabetes, and their family and friends. Participants learn to cook using less sodium and fat, how to manage their diabetes, and have the opportunity to taste different dishes. This program has recently been offered by the Senior Health Promotion Coalition in Winnebago County.
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Elder abuse
This is a seminar that was recently offered in Taylor County in partnership with the aging coalition.
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Exercise for the brain
This is a seminar that was recently offered at senior meal sites in Waushara County.
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Falls prevention
This is a seminar that will be offered in Iowa County in partnership with the ADRC.
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Health education
This is a variety of seminars that FLEs have done in their communities. In Waushara County they have recently been offered at nursing homes.
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Healthy Living with Diabetes
Healthy Living with Diabetes is an evidence-based, out-of-the-box program that was developed at Stanford University. It is being implemented in Waupaca County in partnership with the ADRC. This program is not intended exclusively for older adults, but most participants in Waupaca are seniors.
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Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies
Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies is a trademarked program of AllenForce implemented by licensed fitness centers throughout the country that is offered free of charge to qualified veterans. Each facility and fitness professional complete specific training on veteran culture, PTSD, MST, injuries and illness specific to veterans and adaptive equipment.
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Living Well with Chronic Conditions
Living Well with Chronic Conditions is an off-the-shelf, evidence based program for individuals with chronic health conditions. It was last updated in XX. It has recently been offered by FLEs in 2 counties (Waupaca and Oneida). FLEs partnered with their senior center and ADRC to offer this program.
Materials: Facebook Posting from Wood County
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Memory Cafe
This is a social gathering for individuals with dementia and their family and friends. It is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Memory health for your brain
This program comes from Shawano County and was recently offered in Fond Du Lac.
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Misc. health classes
FLEs often teach one-time seminars on health topics. In Fond du Lac, FLEs have recently taught seminars for their ADRC and HCE groups on topics including vision, hearing, heart health, and falls.
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Misc. seminars
FLEs utilize specialists from their ADRC to provide speakers for HCE events. This has recently been done in Iowa County.
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Stepping On
Stepping On is an evidence-based, out-of-the-box program that was originally developed in Australia and has been adapted and evaluated in Wisconsin in conjunction with the CDC. It was last updated in XX. It is being implemented in Winnebago County by the Senior Health Promotion Coalition. In many other counties, this program is implemented by the ADRC, senior centers, or health departments, and Extension may play an advisory or technical assistance role.
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Stress management/mental health
This is a seminar on stress management. It was recently offered in Richland County at the request of a senior apartment building.
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Strong Women/Strong Bones
Strong Women is a national evidence-based community exercise and nutrition program targeted to midlife and older women. It has recently been offered in 16 counties in Wisconsin (Oneida, Winnebago, Waushara, Kewaunee, Washington, Oconto, Monroe, Vilas/Florence/Forest, Menominee, Rock, Crawford, Fond du Lac, Taylor, Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Door). FLEs partner with a variety of institutions to provide this program. The most common partners are ADRC, churches (who frequently provide space), public health, and senior centers. Many FLEs teach this program themselves, but others rely on volunteer instructors. In many other counties, this program is now offered by the ADRC, senior center, or a fitness center, and Extension may play an advisory role.
Materials: Extension Program Materials
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What’s Right with the World
What’s Right with the World is a film about positivity that encourages viewers to see the world from a more positive perspective with the goal of improving mental health. The film has companion materials that can be used to frame a workshop or discussion. This has recently been offered to the HCE group in Richland County. This program was developed by a National Geographic wildlife photographer and is not evidence based.
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Looking for something new to try?
National Institute on Aging’s Brain Health Resource. Designed and reviewed in 2014, this 60-minute presentation will help older adults and their caregivers learn how to reduce risks that may be related to brain health. The presentation covers: Aging and health; Good health and the normal aging brain; Threats to brain health; Healthy aging for your body and brain
Materials: Educator guide and PowerPoint presentation, one-page handout, supplementary resource list
Time Commitment: In-class time: 60-minutes
