October’s ‘Our Healthy Kentucky Home’ initiative focuses on aging adult supports
October’s “Our Healthy Kentucky Home” initiative focuses on supports for aging adults.
“For older adults, everyday choices make a big difference in supporting health, independence and quality of life,” Kentucky Health Secretary Dr. Steven Stack said at the governor’s weekly news conference.
As usual, Stack first reminded folks that the Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign promotes simple, attainable goals that help everyone achieve better health and wellness by eating at least two servings of fruits or vegetables every day, exercising for at least 30 minutes three times per week, and engaging with others to stay socially connected.
“Eating nutritious food, staying active and staying connected with family, friends and the community can help older adults stay healthy, maintain their independence and continue doing the things that they enjoy,” he said.
He added that having access to the right resources, services and supports also makes it easier for older adults to make healthier choices.
Some of those resources include the Department for Aging and Independent Living, or DAIL, Kentucky’s Nutrition Program for the Elderly and the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program.
Stack noted that DAIL supports services such as nutrition and meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home services, health and wellness programs and other resources that can help people remain active, connected and independent.
He said one of those support services is its Nutrition Program for the Elderly, which offers both home-delivered meals and congregate dining opportunities.
“Eating nutritious meals is an important part of maintaining health, strength and independence as we age, but for some older adults, getting or preparing a nutritious meal every day can be a challenge,” said Stack. “Kentucky’s Nutrition Program for the Elderly helps address that need by providing nutritionally balanced meals, along with nutrition screening, education and counseling.”
Stack added that Kentucky also has a program that helps people pay for their medicine called the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program, which helps qualifying Kentuckians identify programs that provide free or reduced-cost prescription medications through pharmaceutical assistance programs, discount programs or other available resources.
“At the heart of healthy aging is something simple: making sure people have the tools, resources, and supports they need to live healthy, connected and independent lives,” he said.
The Our Healthy Kentucky Home website includes information about these and other resources available to aging adults.