Age Well ~ Live Well Partnership

DADS, AAAs and the AgriLIFE Extension

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, the 28 local area agencies on aging (AAAs) and the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension have partnered to promote the Age Well ~ Live Well (AW ~ LW) initiative and provide Texans with information and resources that enrich their lives and encourage healthy aging.

To help support Texas communities, the partnership has created a resource sheet highlighting programs and services that address the components of Age Well ~ Live Well.

Healthy Lifestyles

Matter of Balance

The Matter of Balance program is delivered through a series of eight two-hour sessions that are designed to help adults 60 and older reduce their fear of falling. The program addresses balance and potential fall issues through group discussion, problem-solving strategies and increasing the physical activity levels of those who have concerns about falls. Call 1-800-252-9240 to find a class near you.

Dinner Tonight

Dinner Tonight provides videos, recipes and nutrition information to help create healthy meals. Each week, a Texas AgriLIFE extension agent demonstrates how to cook a quick and nutritious meal on the Dinner Tonight website.

Fall Prevention in the Home

Falls Prevention for Older Adults supplies a video, produced by the Texas AgriLIFE Extension, that features older adults in their homes in six high-risk situations. The videos and website offer effective ways to make slight modifications to the home environment to reduce the risk of falling. To view the video (available in English and Spanish) visit the Fall Prevention in the Home website.

Master of Memory

The Master of Memory program helps participants enhance their memory function by evaluating memory function, identifying factors that enhance/detract from memory function and determine ways that help address memory loss factors. The six-lesson series includes presentations on memory and learning, memory strategies, nutrition, medications, medical conditions, and exercises for the body and mind. For more information on the Master of Memory program, visit the AgriLIFE Extension website.

Texercise

Texercise is a health promotions program that provides health and wellness tools and resources to encourage individuals and communities to adopt healthy lifestyle practices. Resources are available at no charge and include educational materials, motivational incentives and recognition tools. To find out more visit the Texercise website.

Walk Across Texas!

Walk Across Texas! provides a free, fun fitness program to help adopt the habit of regular, moderate-intensity exercise. Teams of eight family members, friends, co-workers or neighbors walk together or individually over the eight-week program. Participants also receive information on nutrition, exercise, weight loss and other health topics. For more information, visit the Walk Across Texas website.

Volunteerism and Community Engagement

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Long-term care ombudsmen are volunteer advocates who help people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities resolve concerns. A long-term care ombudsman is trained as a problem-solver to promote person-directed care and “culture change” in Texas nursing homes. To learn more about the program, please visit the Long-Term Care Ombudsman website.

Silver Lining

Silver Lining is a volunteer outreach program that assists in creating volunteer visits with people living in long-term care facilities. The program offers flexible volunteering styles for individuals, families, groups and corporate partnerships. Volunteers have access to a range of motivational incentives for participation and recognition, as well as tools to help with volunteer visits. For more information, visit the Silver Lining website.

Master Wellness Volunteer Program

The Master Wellness Volunteer Program provides free education and training to volunteers on a variety of health and wellness topics. Participants, in return, contribute 40 hours of volunteer service to Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service health and wellness programs through community presentations, assisting with healthy cooking demonstrations and distributing information at health fairs. To learn more visit the Master Wellness Volunteer Program website.

Resource Awareness

Medication Management

The Medication Management program helps older adults and their caregivers understand the importance of complying with instructions for taking medications as well as how to safely sort and store their medications. Visit the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences website to learn more about this program.

About the Partners

About AAAs

There are 28 AAAs in Texas that contract with DADS to provide services and programs that assist people age 60 and older in maintaining their health, personal independence and dignity. To contact your local AAA and find out more about the programs offered, call toll-free — 1-800-252-9240 — and you will be routed to the AAA nearest you.

About AgriLIFE Extension

Through high quality, community-based education, the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service helps improve the lives of people, businesses and communities across Texas. To locate your local office, visit the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service website. To learn more about the highlighted programs, visit the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences website.

About DADS

Along with long-term services and supports for older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, DADS offers programs and services to help Texans live independent, healthy lives. DADS also provide an array of services, supports and opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities that are easily accessed in local communities. To find out more about the agency or to locate services, visit the DADS website.

 

Updated: April 30, 2013