“How can we address healthy aging within these communities in ways that are feasible, achievable, and relatively inexpensive, but also have a great impact?” asks Geana Shemak, MS, ATC, the community coordinator and educator for the Healthy Aging in Rural Towns (HeART) coalition in Iowa County, Wisconsin. For three years, HeART coalitions in Iowa County, Langlade County, and …
Nearly all of us want to stay in our home as we age. There are benefits to doing so. Our family and friends are more likely to be nearby. We know where to find our favorite activities. After years of appointments, our health care providers can more easily notice changes and anticipate needs. It often …
Rural communities are aging more rapidly than are other areas, in Wisconsin and across the country. Nearly everyone wants to stay in their community as they age. Increasingly, rural leaders are asking how they can help older residents to thrive. Some are pioneering age-friendly approaches that other communities can learn from. In Wisconsin, three coalitions—in …
For Yvette Egan, MS, RN, creating a learning experience that pairs nursing students with healthy, community-dwelling older adults was in the cards. Literally. Egan, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, felt inspired after participating in the Facilitated Learning to Advance Geriatrics (FLAG) program in 2011. (Our winter 2014 issue …
Considering his passion for home health care, it’s surprising that it wasn’t Troy Lawrence’s initial career plan. “Looking back at my undergrad experiences, I was in that group of people who were determined to be an ER or an ICU nurse,” says Lawrence, who received his BSN from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing …
How can state policymakers meet the increased demand for long-term services and supports and ensure quality care for often-vulnerable populations, while staying within tight budgets? It’s not an easy task. For one thing, state policies aren’t the only factor shaping long-term care. There are federal policies, regulations, funding and initiatives; market, financial and workforce pressures; …
How can I communicate effectively with health care providers? What does healthy aging look like? How can I safely stay in my home? These are important questions for anyone. For the growing number of older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and their caregivers, they are crucial. More people with ID are living longer, thanks to …
We all need exercise to stay healthy, no matter what our age. But maintaining activity is not easy—only one of two people who start an organized exercise program stick with it. For older adults, regular physical activity can not only improve their health, but also increase their chances of remaining independent. What types of exercise are …
Celebrating the research of Dr. Eileen Porter Dr. Eileen Porter’s research interests have their roots in her childhood: the small Kansas town in which she grew up had a robust intergenerational social network. Porter spent a lot of time with her grandparents and their friends and developed strong bonds with the older adults in the …