In this edition

• Older Americans Month
• Suggested Activities to explore
• UNR, Extension is here to help
• Eating Smart/Being Active
• Lessons from Eating Smart/Being Active
• Learn why...

About the Newsletter

Powered by Connection recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Also check out the Eating Smart/Being Active lessons which contain physical activities, tips for food preparation, food safety, and saving money at the grocery store.

Older Americans Month

Administration for Community Living 2024

Every year, the Administration for Community Living, or ACL as many know it, leads the nation's observance of Older Americans Month in May. the theme for 2024 is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.  We explore the vital role being connected has in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness and other issues.

 

Suggested Activities to Explore

Bring connectedness into your life

Here are several great activities that can bring connectedness into your life this Older Americans Month.

• Read a story: Arrange to read stories at a local school, community center or library.
• Agree to be interviewed: Many schools host a living museum or have student write biographies about interesting people in their community.
• Host a storytelling party: Ask individuals in your age category or older to record themselves answering pre-selected questions from StoryCorps at storycorps.org/participate/great-questions/.

• Sound off to music night: See what musicians you have in your community. Host a music night playing a musical theme or genre and encourage folks to dress up (e.g., 50's music, musicals, big bands).
• Host a painting and punch class: Try to find pre-numbered paint sets at your local store. Serve punch with sparkling water, fruit juice, fresh fruit slices and a little fresh mint sprigs, and get painting.
• Schedule an Aging Mastery Program class in person or by Zoom: Encourage others to join UNR, Reno Extension teams for a fun and engaging series!
• Organize a selfie challenge: Get together a group of friends, members or residents. Have them answer the question, "Older adults are powered by (fill-in-the-blank)", with their response written on poster board.  Have them hold up their answer, take a picture and post them on your bulletin boards or on social media using #OlderAmericanMonth.
• Have access to a social media account? Share wisdom, tips and stories online using #OlderAmericansMonth.

UNR Extension is here to help

UNR Extension

University of Nevada, Reno Extension is here to help you with ideas and interesting programs available to support Older Americans Month. Contact us to explore the endless possibilities in celebrating the power of being connected. Email HealthyAging@unr.edu.

  LINK TO FURTHER INFORMATION...

Eating Smart/Being Active

Eating Smart/Being Active is a SNAP-Ed approved program designed to teach the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2nd Edition and MyPlate.gov.

 

Lessons from Eating Smart/Being Active

Fresh vegetables provide variety to your diet.

Lessons include:

• Get Moving! Introducing physical activity, an important part of a healthy lifestyle
• Plan. Shop, $ave. Addresses meal planning and saving money at the grocery store
• Fruits & Veggies: Half Your Plate to increase the amount and variety of produce
• Make Half Your Grains Whole choosing whole grains and foods high in fiber
• Vary Your Protein Routine introducing a variety of lean protein foods
• Build Strong Bones by engaging in bone-building physical activity
• Small Changes Matter to reduce saturated fat, sugar and salt in the diet.

Each lesson contains physical activity, participants actively involved in food preparation, tips for food safety, tips for saving money at the grocery store, and parenting related to the lesson topic.

Learn why ...

Physical activity leads to healthy lifestyles.

Learn why physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and how to dress to be physically active safely. Being active means wearing clothing that allows you to move comfortably, bend over and perform physical activities.

Classes start soon! Would you like to learn more about classes available in your area? Contact SNAPED@unr.edu for more information.

Published by: Mazzullo, N., 2024, Healthy LIVING while aging! (2024-05), Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Newsletter

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A partnership of Nevada counties; University of Nevada, Reno; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture