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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, PhD – Family Nurse Practitioner
Wendell “Doc” Jeffery – Living with Chronic Diabetes
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Growing Old
“Beautiful young people
are accidents of nature,
but beautiful old people
are works of art.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
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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 Aging
Promoting 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

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
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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 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
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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 Through
Healthy Lifestyle
Dr. Christie C. Osuagwu, MPA, MSN, FNP, PhD
Family 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 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
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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
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.
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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 Plates
for 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.
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
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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!
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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
REMEMBER
Your 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” Jeffery
Living with Chronic Diabetes
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A Little About Doc

Native of Tyler, Texas

College Football Star
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Free Agent, San Francisco 49ers
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Pop Warner and High School
Football Coach
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Oilfield Employee
Schlumberger and Baker-Hughes
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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!
“
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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”