Healthy Aging Initiative

Recent Reports, Fact Sheets, News Articles...

Healthy LIVING while aging! (2026-06)

This month's newsletter is about skin health and wound care. You can read about how to care for your skin and cuts or sores. You will also read about summer safety and can learn a couple summer recipes. There are also fun brain games you can try.

Healthy LIVING while aging! (2026-04)

In April's newsletter you can read about how to handle stress and ways that you can help you cope with anxiety and stress. You can also read about the importance of physical activity and see some graduates from our exercise program for older adults called "Bingocize"!

A brain and the gut showing they are connected.

Nutrition, the Gut and a Healthy Mind in Recovery

Healing and restoring the gut during recovery takes time and patience. It will also change as someone moves through detoxification into long-term recovery. Prioritizing fiber-rich foods that include both prebiotic and probiotic sources will set up an individual with the best habits to ultimately support their health.

About the Healthy Aging Initiative

Using the expertise that Extension offers, from Healthy Living and Home Horticulture to Hope for Family Resilience and Small Business Education Programs and everything in between, the Healthy Aging Initiative can connect you with the resources you need to navigate aging and the aging trend.

The initiative offers several trainings for adults over 50 and those who work with, support and serve as care partners for older adults.

Extension also offers classes addressing physical activity and nutrition through our Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Program, research-based Nevada gardening practices for community volunteers through our Master Gardener Program, environmental education for community volunteers through our Nevada Naturalist Program, and home safety through our Radon Education Program.

Extension and Healthy Aging Initiative programs outline the many careers in aging, professional and workforce development and provide curriculum to address aging perceptions and how the aging trend will affect all careers.

Ways to get involved with the Healthy Aging Initiative

Opportunities to get involved with the initiative, including through our upcoming events, are below. To explore the initiative's history, view our past events page. If you would like to tour Extension's Botanic Gardens; learn about volunteer opportunities with Extension; or participate in an Extension class, training or focus group, please contact HealthyAging@unr.edu.

Camp lodging. Chef-inspired meals. Exploration opportunities.

Our overnight camping experiences at Extension's 4-H Camp in Alamo provide adults 50 and older with activities and exploration opportunities, such as picnics, mountain views, stargazing, birding, archery and more, as well as educational classes for healthy and safe living and aging. Register today, and keep an eye on our events calendar for additional details coming soon.

Host, schedule, plan, teach or volunteer with a program

Interested? Connect with Natalie Mazzullo for details.

Aging Mastery Program®

An evidence-informed curriculum combining knowledge-sharing with goal-setting and feedback routines, daily practices, peer support and small rewards.

Classes are led by a facilitator and enhanced by expert speakers who help participants gain the skills and tools they need to manage their health, remain economically secure and contribute actively to society.

Bingocize®

Mixes exercise, health education and bingo to help seniors overcome health limitations.

It’s adaptable for all facilities and benefits all physical and mental ability ranges. Evidence shows social, cognitive and physical improvements from doing Bingocize®, and the best part is that it's fun!

Discover BINGOCIZE®

Disrupt Aging

Adapted from an interactive evidence-based curriculum developed by AARP®, this program challenges students to examine their aging perceptions and think about how the growing aging population is relevant to their personal lives and future careers.

It's taught by extensively trained facilitators in the classroom or virtually.

Explore careers in aging

Cooking Matters

Provides recipes, tips and community resources to help individuals, their families and their caregivers shop, cook and eat better on a budget.

Learn how to freeze herbs, involve all family members in cooking and find local partners near you.

Get cooking

Foster dignity, comfort and connection at life's end

Attend our Shared Responsibility Summit | Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Las Vegas

Bringing together healthcare professionals, caregivers, faith leaders and community members, our Shared Responsibility: Navigating, Supporting and Empowering Through Life's Final Journey event explores how we can collectively support individuals and families through life’s final chapter. Join us for meaningful dialogue, shared resources and practical tools to foster dignity, comfort and connection at life's end.

Learn more and register

Classes & Events for the next 2 months

View next year's calendar