County of Kern Aging and Adult Services Department 5357 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA February, 2017

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1 County of Kern Aging and Adult Services Department 5357 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA February, 2017 HEALTHY AGING This first edition of the Healthy Aging newsletter focuses on the Kern County Aging and Adult Services Department (KCAASD) "Healthy Aging" SNAP-Ed program. This program helps those age 60 + to establish healthier eating habits and a more physically-active lifestyle. In this issue you can learn more about how to have fun with other seniors while you develop an active lifestyle, maintain your new activity levels, and learn new positive behaviors by participating in the latest evidence-based classes!* SENIORS GAIN HEALTH BENEFITS According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Food and Nutrition Services, seniors can gain health benefits by making two simple behavior changes in their life. Seniors can benefit by consuming more fruits and vegetables with at least 3 and 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables (1 and 1/2 cups fruit and 2 cups vegetables). Seniors can also gain health benefits by participating in at least 30 minutes of a moderate-intensity physical activity each day. KCAASD has three different education programs for seniors: Eat Healthy, Be Active Community Workshop Participant Mary Mercado Bakersfield Senior Center Eat Smart, Live Strong, INSIDE THIS ISSUE Staying Healthy Through Education and Prevention (STEP), and Eat Healthy, Be Active community workshops, The programs may help seniors prevent or postpone the onset of chronic disease by establishing healthier eating habits and being more physically active. By making healthy choices today, you can build a better tomorrow! * As always, you should check with your physician before you begin any diet or exercise program. Eat Smart, Live Strong presentations help seniors learn about the health benefits of nutritional behavior change... 2 Staying Healthy Through Education and Prevention (STEP) program provides a welcoming environment, and promotes positive group dynamics... 3 Eat Healthy, Be Active Community Workshops help seniors establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle... 4 For a schedule of class locations, dates and times, please visit us on the web at

2 EAT SMART, LIVE STRONG The people are very welcoming and nice. The exercises and eating habits are very important. It s made me more confident of myself. Eat Smart, Live Strong Participant Patty Flores East Niles Senior Center The Eat Smart, Live Strong Program is geared toward seniors, to help them lead healthier lives by encouraging participation and sharing of experiences to learn from each other. Our goals: 1) eat more fruits and vegetables, and 2) get more physical activity each day HEALTHY AGING THROUGH BETTER NUTRITION- AL CHOICES Why is it Important to Eat Vegetables? YOU ARE INVITED! Learn how to Eat Smart & Live Strong and talk about easy ways to make smart food choices and tips for eating/cooking on a budget. 2 Eating vegetables provides health benefits people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. The first behavior change discussed is to consume more fruits and vegetables with at least 3 and 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables (1 and 1/2 cups fruit and 2 cups vegetables). Three health benefits of eating at least 1½ cup of fruits and 2 cups of vegetables every day: 1. Improve Health 2. Quality of Life 3. Feel Better

3 STEP FOSTERS EXCITEMENT ABOUT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Seniors participating in STEP class at the Richard Prado Senior Center STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH EDUCATION & PREVENTION ( STEP ) Kern County Aging and Adult Services Department Staff teach Seniors to perform lower-body exercises and how to develop a program of ongoing physical activity. The STEP program provides a welcoming environment, promotes positive group dynamics, emphasizes safety through body awareness, social support, goal setting, and exercise principles. The STEP program emphasizes that participants should perform the level of exercise intensity and duration that they think is right for them. The STEP Program consists of chair based exercises, walking, lower body strength, balance, and flexibility training. STEP Highlights: All Seniors are welcome to join the program The program is designed to encourage Seniors at all levels of fitness to become healthier and more active Positive group dynamics are emphasized. Each senior brings different experiences they may share with the group Helps seniors determine their level of fitness and what they would like to achieve Improvements each senior is able to make to their level of fitness are recognized It s just great and keeps me limber! STEP Participant Geri Carter East Niles Senior Center 3

4 SENIORS LEARN HOW TO CREATE A HEALTHIER LIFE- STYLE EAT HEALTHY, BE ACTIVE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS The program encourages active senior participation in discussions and asks seniors to share their experiences and ideas to allow group learning to take place. Seniors often learn from each other about effective strategies for overcoming obstacles for better health. Eat Healthy, Be Active Community Workshop at Bakersfield Senior Center MAKE POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHOICES In today s world, the amount of choices can sometimes seem overwhelming: How do you balance your calorie intake? What types of food should you increase, and which should you decrease? The Eat Healthy, Be Active fun and interactive workshops show participants how to build a healthier lifestyle by following recommendations from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the 2008 Physical Activities for Americans. ENJOY HEALTH BENEFITS Eat Healthy, Be Active Participant Cirenia Alicia Peña 4 Bakersfield Senior Center A diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. Eating a diet rich in some vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain types of cancers. Eating foods such as vegetables that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake.

5 WHY PARTICIPATE IN KCAASD HEALTHY AGING PROGRAMS? Make better nutrition choices and eat better Learn how prepare meals with healthy ingredients within a limited budget Increase physical activity levels to live a healthier lifestyle Have fun with other seniors while participating in the latest evidencebased classes KCAASD HEALTHY AGING PROGRAM SNAP-ED CLASSES KCAASD HEALTHY AGING SNAP- ED NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ED- UCATION MATERIALS HOW SENIORS CAN PARTICIPATE AND BENEFIT FROM NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EDUCATION Attend classes at the locations listed on the following pages Look for this newsletter, nutrition informational flyers and physical activity informational flyers at your local SNAP-Ed location Visit us at the Kern County Aging and Adult Services Healthy Aging program website at KCAASD HEALTHY AGING SNAP- ED WEBSITE 5

6 County of Kern Aging and Adult Services Department February, 2017 HEALTHY AGING SNAP-ED CLASSES SNAP-ED EDUCATION MATERIALS KCAASD SNAP-ED WEBSITE For class locations, dates and times, please visit us on the web at 6

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