Aging Advisory Council March 11, 2020

10 am at BGADD

Family Caregiver Workshop March 13, 2020 9-4

Alzheimer’s Association 2808 Palumbo Dr Lexington

GAP- Grandparents As Parents Conference

March 19. 2020 1950 Clarion Hotel Newtown Pike

Aging News A Monthly Publication of the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living

February 2020 Edition

Upcoming Aging Events

Inside This Issue

Richmond Active Living Center Grand

Opening

Dementia Friendly Lexington Kick-Off

Advancing States

American Heart Month

Happenings Around the Region

2 A Monthly Publication of the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living

Grand Opening of the Richmond Active Living Center The city of Richmond celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Richmond Active Living Center on January 9th. Mayor Robert Blythe, Richmond city managers, along with the Bluegrass ADD staff were instrumental in this achievement. The new building is 11,000 square feet and offers the opportunity for seniors to enjoy a variety of activities in their new facilities. Seniors in Richmond will now be able to enjoy their new game room, sewing room, and exercise facilities.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Heather Slone, director of the Richmond Active Living Center, paid tribute to Patsy Golden. Patsy was a member of the Richmond Senior Center who was vital in advocating for the new building. A quilt made by Patsy Golden hangs outside of the Sewing Room in the new building.

Top- Ribbon cutting ceremony; Bottom Left- Patsy Golden’s quilt Bottom Right- Mayor Robert Blythe

Left: David Nisbet

Below: Dementia Friendly

Lexington Kick Off

Dementia Friendly Lexington Kick-Off Lexington is the first city in Kentucky to be designated a Dementia Friendly city. On January 30, Lexington Senior Center hosted the Dementia Friendly Lexington Kick-Off. This event allowed for community members to discuss what areas they think are most important to making Lexington more dementia friendly.

Dementia Friendly Lexington was fortunate to have many government agencies represented including LFUCG, Department of Aging and Independent Living, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Virginia Bell, the creator of the Best Friends Approach to dementia care spoke on the dementia friendly movement. David Nisbet, a care partner and caregiver shared insights on what it’s like to care for someone with dementia. Finally, community members broke into small groups to prioritize and discuss what areas Lexington should focus on to make Lexington more dementia friendly.

3 A Monthly Publication of the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living

Advancing States begins study of Aging and Disability Services in Kentucky

Kentucky is ranked 50 out of 51 in the Long Term Services and Supports Scorecard. However, the Department for Aging and Independent Living wants to make improvements in our aging services and programs. DAIL has invited Advancing States, a national organization focusing on Aging and Disability Services, to survey Kentuckians across the state on how to better provide aging and disability services. This process began with a town hall meeting in Lexington on January 22 and other public meetings are scheduled across the state. The focus of this project is to determine how the Department for Aging and Independent Living can improve the programs that are already in existence as well as create and expand new programs to improve aging and disability services.

Above: Martha Roherty, Advancing States, leads townhall discussion

February is American Heart Month

This month is American Heart Month with the first Friday being Wear Red for Women day. Here are some tips to help prevent heart disease from the National Institute on Aging

• Try to be more physically active: it doesn’t matter what the activity is, just keep moving

• If you smoke- quit: It’s never too late to quit- it can reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease

• Follow a heart healthy diet- minimize trans and saturated fats, monitor salt and added sugars

• Maintain a healthy weight- • Keep diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol

under control- follow doctor’s advice for managing these conditions

• Manage stress- find ways to reduce and cope with stress such as physical activity, meditation, or talking with friends/family

4 A Monthly Publication of the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living

Happenings around the region:

Jessamine County Sock Hop- February 19th 1-3 pm at the Jessamine County Senior Center

Richmond Active Living Center- February 21 11-1 Sweetheart Chili Lunch and Purse Auction Lincoln County Senior Center hosted karaoke- check out the performances on their Facebook page!

Scott County Senior Center visited Belterra Park in Cincinnati

FROM THE DIRECTOR…

Hello,

We have entered February, the month of Love. Being part of a family who recently lost a loved one at a much too young age has me reflecting on what is most important in life. It’s not what you purchase or own, it’s what you give of yourself to others. The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard but must be felt with the heart. This Valentine’s Day I encourage you to take the time to give those who mean the most to you an extra long hug and smile. Those are the gifts that mean the most and are priceless. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Celeste Collins, BSW BGAAAIL Director

BLUEGRASS AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND INDEPENDENT LIVING 699 PERIMETER DR LEXINGTON, KY 40517 859-269-8021 ADRC@BGADD.ORG

mailto:ADRC@BGADD.ORG

Upcoming Aging EventsGrand Opening of the Richmond Active Living CenterDementia Friendly Lexington Kick-OffAdvancing States begins study of Aging and Disability Services in KentuckyFebruary is American Heart Month