Hello Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Community Partners and Stakeholders, As a collaborative we are working hard to provide you with the most current information related to the work we are doing in our community. Each quarter, Healthy Communities will distribute a media toolkit that will be shared with those we work with. This quarter we are sharing information on Senior Health, which is a very

broad topic. Please look through the attached materials. Feel free to

distribute this to your staff, partners and clients to educate them on the

work we are doing to make the communities we provide services in a

healthier place to be.

Also remember to share the work you’re doing around this topic or an

event related to this topic with us via our website Share a Story or Share an

Event. Also watch for more toolkits to come out during 2019.

If you have questions about the content of this toolkit or want to become

involved with the Healthy Communities Collaborative you can contact Kerry

Ward at kerry.ward@co.mcleod.mn.us or via phone at 320-864-1512

Thank you,

Lori Rice Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Healthy Communities Chair

What is inside this quarter’s toolkit?

Newspaper article

Newsletter article/blog post

Facebook Post

Twitter Post

Infographics

Handouts

Resources

Partners Call to Action: Promoting healthy aging throughout the life span and preventing falls and chronic disease is key to long-term care cost containment and quality of life improvement for seniors in our communities. Share these resources that are available in our communities that assist our residents to improve their quality of life.

Newspaper Article:

Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging Works to End Older Adult Falls

Falls are a leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and older, but they are not an inevitable part of aging and

there are proven ways to prevent them. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate

enormous economic and personal costs. CDC’s Injury Center monitors falls, fall-related injuries, and associated

costs, reporting:

One-fourth of Americans aged 65+ falls each year.

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older

adult dies from a fall.

Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over

800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,700 deaths.

Adjusted for inflation, the annual direct medical costs for fall injuries are $31 billion. Hospital costs

account for two-thirds of the total.

By 2020, the annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $67.7 billion.

In addition to pain and suffering, and the high cost of rehabilitation, falls with or without injury also carry a

heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, often self-limit

activities and social engagements. Resulting limitations can result in further physical decline, depression, social

isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

Across the country, partners are hosting classes and seminars, performing thousands of falls risk screening, and

educating older adults about evidence-based falls prevention programs. Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging

(MNRAAA) Program Development staff is available to provide group presentations on evidence-based fall

preventions programs such as A Matter of Balance and Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance. For more

information about falls prevention programs and to find a class in your area, visit www.yourjuniper.org.

“If falls prevention isn’t something that you’re thinking about now, I promise there is someone in your life who’s

worried about it,” said Lynn Buckley, MNRAAA Health Care Partnership Developer. “This kind of education can

change a community, and that’s why we’re proud to support falls prevention efforts as part of our year-round

commitment to supporting older adults in Southwest Minnesota.”

Below is more information in regards to the National and Minnesota Agencies on Aging:

Senior Health Toolkit

About Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging As the designated area agency on aging for 27 counties in southwest Minnesota, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, or MNRAAA, is a catalyst in building communities where older adults live with dignity, mutual respect and shared responsibilities across generations and cultures. Learn more by contacting Lynn Buckley at lbuckley@mnraaa.org or 507-387-1256 ext. 114. About NCOA

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. NCOA empowers individuals with trusted solutions to improve their own health and economic security—and protects and strengthens federal programs that people depend on as they age. Working with a nationwide network of partners, NCOA’s goal is to improve the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020. Learn more at ncoa.org About the Falls Free® Initiative: Led by the National Council on Aging, the Falls Free® Initiative includes 43 states and 70 national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies working collaboratively to bring education, awareness, and evidence-based solutions to local communities. Falls Free® seeks to provide hundreds of thousands of older Americans with the resources and education needed to reduce their risk of injury. For more information, visit: www.ncoa.org/FallsFreeInitiative.

###

MEDIA CONTACT: Lynn Buckley Health Care Partnership Developer Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging 507.387.1256 ext. 114 lbuckley@mnraaa.org

Newsletter/Blog Article:

Simple Steps to Prevent Falls

Falls affect us all—whether personally or someone we love or care about. Every second of every day an older

adult falls. In 2015 alone, more than one in four older adults reported falling and more than 28,000 older adults

died as a result of falls—that’s 74 older adults every day. There are simple steps you can take to prevent falls

and decrease falls risks.

Ask your trained health care professional to provide a fall risk assessment. Tell your doctor if you have:

• fallen in the past six months

• difficulty walking or getting out of bed or chairs

• difficulty maintaining balance while walking

• been feeling weak or dizzy

Ask your trained health care professional to review your medications. Exercise regularly. Maintaining strength

and balance is a key to fall prevention. Get an assessment of your home environment and make changes to

reduce safety risks:

• reduce clutter

• improve lighting

• securely install handrails and grab bars

For more information on making your home safer, check out this brochure.

Facebook Post: Falls aren’t just a normal part of getting older—they’re preventable and there are simple steps you can take to stay independent longer. Speak Up, Keep Moving, Check your eyes and Make your home safe. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/STEADI_OlderAdultFactSheet-a.pdf

Twitter Post: Every second an older American falls. These falls threaten the health and independence of older

adults and result in high medical costs across the U.S. healthcare system. Learn more at

https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html

Additional Resources: Chronic Disease Management Classes: About 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and

68% have at least two. Many adults with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and others struggle to find ways to manage their condition. Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) can help.

Transportation Services: Central Community Transit: Call 320-693-7794 or http://www.cctbus.org/ for more details for each route. Trailblazer Transit: https://www.trailblazertransit.com/

Dementia Friendly Communities Initiatives: The city of Litchfield and Sibley County are participating in the Dementia Friendly community work. Every part of a community can take steps to create a dementia friendly community, such as:

o Businesses that train employees on interacting with customers who have dementia o Clinics that promote early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and provide care and support options o Faith communities that welcome and engage people living with dementia and their families o Residential settings that offer services and activities adapted for memory loss issues

You can find more information about what your community can do here.

Caregiver Resources: Tips and tools and Caregiving While Working

Senior Linkage Line Information http://www.mnaging.org/advisor/SLL.htm

More information can be found at https://www.mmshealthycommunities.org/collective-

action/senior-health/

2017 Community Health AssessmentCOLLECTIVE ACTION PLAN: SENIOR HEALTH

Promoting healthy aging throughout the life span and preventing chronic diseases is key to long-term care cost containment and quality of life improvement.

Costs for persons in long-term care facilities under age 65 are shared between federal, state and local government. Since 2003, local governments have been responsible for paying 20% of the state’s share. The counties have reduced the number of people under age 65 who have been in nursing homes more than 90 days; however, some individuals require nursing facility level of care and there are no local community options for them to safely relocate.

A population-based approach is critical to health reform and system innovation, and there is a key role for local government. County-based health care purchasing, ACOs, and IHPs provide an opportunity to build a prevention-focused, community-based local case system that optimizes health while controlling costs for the Medical Assistance population.

Local DataMMS Community Health Behavior Survey

of MMS residents 65+ have seen a doctor, nurse,or other health professional in the past 12 months92.9%

45.7%are in good overall health status

20%

40%

0%

60%

80%

100%

65.4%

27.1%22.4%

51.1%

of MMS residents 65+

MMS Residents 65+ Health Status

High B

lood Press

ure

Diabetes or

Pre-D

iabetes

Skin C

ancer o

r Oth

er

(calcu

lated)

High C

holestero

l

of MMS residents 65+ have used publictransportation, such as Trailblazer Transit orMeeker County Transit

the elderly dependency ratio (65+ years) was27.4% compared to MN state average of 21%

7.8%

2014...IN

65.4% of MMS residents 65+ have been told they have high blood pressure compared to 58.3% of all Minnesota residents 65+

27.1% of MMS residents 65+ have been told they have diabetes or pre-diabetes compared to 22.1% of all MN residents 65+

www.mmshealthycommunities.org

MMS Residents MN Residents MMS Residents MN Residents

20%

40%

0%

60%

80%

100%

65.4%58.3%

20%

40%

0%

60%

80%

100%

27.1%22.1%

State Data

National DataHealthy People, 2020

2012...IN

40.5% of males and 42.5% of females

aged 65 years and older were up to date on a core set of clinical preventive services

High Blood Pressure Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes

STAY INDEPENDENT:PREVENT FALLS

Get the Facts: An older adult falls every second of every day. Falls affect us all—whether personally or someone we love or care about.

IN 2014:

1in4 older adults reported a fall.

Even though falls are common, most adults who fall don’t tell their doctor.

More than

27,000older adults died as a result of falls —that’s 74 older adults every day.

Among older Americans falls are the #1 cause of:• Death from injury• Injuries

Falls Increase with Age:Percent of older adults who reported a fall:

10%

20%

30%

40%

27%30%

37%

65-74Years Old

75-84Years Old

85+Years Old

It’s not the broken hip, it’s the nursing home I don’t want. I need to be independent.

Leonard, 74

If I were to fall and break a bone, I wouldn’t be able to play with my grandkids. So I take a vitamin D pill each day to keep me strong.

Lisa, 74

www.cdc.gov/steadi

STAY INDEPENDENT: PREVENT FALLS

Take Action: Falls aren’t just a normal part of getting older—they’re preventable and there are simple steps you can take to stay independent longer.

Speak Up.Talk openly with your doctor about fall risks and prevention. • Tell your doctor right away if you have fallen, or if you’re afraid

you might fall, or if you feel unsteady. • Work together and review all of your medications and discuss

any side effects like feeling dizzy or sleepy.• See if taking vitamin D supplements for improved bone, muscle,

and nerve health is right for you.

Keep Moving.Activities that strengthen your legs and help your balance (like Tai Chi) can help you prevent falls.

Check Your Eyes.Have your vision checked once a year and update your glasses as needed.

Make Your Home Safe.Most falls happen at home. • Keep your floors clutter free.• Remove small rugs or tape down or secure them.• Add grab bars in the bathroom.• Have handrails and lights installed on all staircases.• Make sure your home has lots of light.

RESOURCES

CDC: cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

STEADI Initiative: cdc.gov/steadi

STEADI Patient Materials: cdc.gov/steadi/patient.html

National Council on Aging Falls Prevention (NCOA): .ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/

Check for Safety A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults

2017

Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Contact your local community or senior center for information on exercise, fall prevention programs, or options for improving home safety.

For additional information on fall prevention, visit go.usa.gov/xN9XA

Use this checklist to find and fix hazards in your home.

STAIRS & STEPS (INDOORS & OUTDOORS)

Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs?

Always keep objects off the stairs.

Are some steps broken or uneven?

Fix loose or uneven steps.

Is there a light and light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs?

Have an electrician put in an overhead light and light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.

Has a stairway light bulb burned out?

Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.

Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?

Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.

Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs?

Fix loose handrails, or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs, and are as long as the stairs.

When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture?

Ask someone to move the furniture so your path is clear.

Do you have throw rugs on the floor?

Remove the rugs, or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip.

Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the floor?

Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep objects off the floor.

Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)?

Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can’t trip over them. If needed, have an electrician put in another outlet.

Are the things you use often on high shelves?

Keep things you use often on the lower shelves (about waist high).

Is your step stool sturdy?

If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.

FLOORS

KITCHEN

BEDROOMS

BATHROOMS

Is the light near the bed hard to reach?

Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach.

Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark?

Put in a nightlight so you can see where you’re walking. Some nightlights go on by themselves after dark.

Is the tub or shower floor slippery?

Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.

Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub, or up from the toilet?

Have grab bars put in next to and inside the tub, and next to the toilet.

TIPS FALL PREVENTION FOR OLDER ADULTS

FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY and accidental death in adults over the age of 65. Clutter and other tripping hazards, poor balance, and distractions can all cause a person to stumble and fall.

Some people become so afraid of falling (or after an actual fall) that they stop doing activities they used to enjoy. An occupational therapy practitioner uses your daily activities as the basis of therapy to help ensure that you can safely do the things you want and need to do. The following tips were shared by occupational therapy practitioners to help older adults reduce their risk of falls.

To reduce your risk of falling you can:

Suggest furniture arrangement that provides plenty of room to walk freely. If you hold onto furniture for balance, he or she will advise whether it is heavy enough to do that safely or suggest alternatives. Recommend removing throw rugs or securing them firmly to the floor.

An occupational therapy practitioner will:

Remove clutter in your home, and walk carefully when there are potential hazards, such as throw rugs and pets underfoot.

For Living LifeTo Its Fullest

Review your entire home and be sure you can safely and easily get to the items you use on a regular basis. Help create a plan for accessing things that are used most frequently, as well as those stored in hard-to-reach places (e.g., seasonal items, special china, etc.).

Never stand on chairs or similar items to get to something you can’t reach. Ask for help, or use a sturdy stool with hand rail or a ladder.

Recommend installing railings and grab bars throughout your home in locations that are appropriate for you. Recommend putting nonslip strips or a rubber mat on the floor of the tub or shower to prevent slipping.

Do not use towel bars, sink edges, etc. for support because they could come away from the wall.

Evaluate the lighting throughout your home. Suggest adding lighting to potentially unsafe areas (e.g., basement stairs) or routine work areas and be sure all the lighting provides good illumination while reducing glare.

Use a nightlight in the bedroom and bathroom.

Need More Information?You can find additional information on occupational therapy’s role in reducing falls, making your home safer, and help-ing you stay active in your community through the American Occupational Therapy Association at www.aota.org.

Occupational therapy is a skilled health, rehabilitation, and educational service that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).

Copyright © 2012 by the American Occupational Therapy Association. This material may be copied and distributed for personal or educational uses without written consent. For all other uses, contact copyright@aota.org.

To reduce your risk of falling you can:

Ensure that you can safely bend to clean up spills or show you adapted ways to do so. Recommend a bathmat that will not be a tripping hazard.

An occupational therapy practitioner will:

Immediately wipe spills off the floor, and use a rubber- backed bathmat to prevent the bathroom floor from getting wet. Even a small amount of water can lead to a slip.

Safely increase your physical conditioning by focusing on items you enjoy (e.g., gardening or washing the car to increase strength, walking to increase endurance, carrying shopping bags to increase balance).

Stay active to maintain overall strength, endurance, and balance.

Recommend ways to safely continue to do the things you enjoy based on your individual skills and needs.

Know your limitations. If there is a task you cannot easily complete, do not risk a fall by trying to do it.

Diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, lung disease, and other

chronic conditions like these can make life difficult to

manage for millions of older adults, often forcing them to

give up their independence.

The Challenges of Chronic Disease

Every day, millions of people with chronic conditions

struggle to manage their symptoms.

About 80% of older adults have one chronic condition.1

68.4% of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more

chronic conditions and 36.4% have four or more.2

Chronic diseases can affect a person’s ability to

perform important activities, restricting their

engagement in life and their enjoyment of family and

friends.3

The Cost of Chronic Conditions

The traditional medical model of caring for people with

chronic conditions—which focuses more on the illness

than on the patient—is expensive and often ineffective.

More than two-thirds of all health care costs are for

treating chronic illnesses.3

95% of health care costs for older Americans can be

attributed to chronic diseases.3

Yet less than 1% of health care dollars are spent on

prevention to improve overall health.4

NCOA’s Role

Addressing chronic conditions requires new strategies

to delay health deterioration, improve function, and

address the problems that people confront in their

day-to-day lives.

NCOA and Stanford University have collaborated for

nearly a decade to disseminate proven programs in-

person and online that empower individuals with

chronic conditions to manage their own care and

improve their quality of life.

Probably the best known and most highly regarded

self-management program for people with chronic

conditions is Stanford's Chronic Disease Self­

Management Program (CDSMP).

Through a partnership with the U.S. Administration for

Community Living, NCOA promotes CDSMP and its

variants through community-based workshops.

CDSMP is also supported in communities by grants from

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and

other funders. Since 2006, more than 300,000 people

have participated in these impactful programs.

As part of our social enterprise partnership with Canary

Health, NCOA continues to promote the online suite of

self-management programs, known as Better Choices,

Better Health®. We also remain committed to research

and development work on evidence-based self-

management and patient engagement.

Chronic Disease

Self-Management

F A C T S H E E T

251 18th Street South, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22202 571-527-3900

ncoa.org @NCOAging

N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O N A G I N G

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Aging at a Glance 2011. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2011.

2 Lochner KA, Cox CS. Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among Medicare Beneficiaries, United States, 2010. Prev Chronic Dis 2013.

3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The State of Aging and Health in America 2013. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2013.

4 The State of Chronic Disease Prevention: Hearing Before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (6) 2011.

5 Ory, M. G., Ahn, S., Jiang L., Smith, M. L., Ritter, P., Whitelaw, N., & Lorig, K. (2013). Successes of a National Study of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Meeting the Triple Aim of Health Care

Reform. Medical Care, 51(11), 992-998.

This project was supported in part by grant number 90CR2001-01-00 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services,

Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or

opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

C H R O N I C D I S E A S E S E L F - M A N A G E M E N T F A C T S H E E T

251 18th Street South, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22202 571-527-3900

ncoa.org @NCOAging

struggling. Through innovative community programs and services, online help, and advocacy, NCOA is partnering with

nonprofit organizations, government, and business to improve the health and economic security of 10 million older

adults by 2020. Learn more at ncoa.org and @NCOAging.

N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O N A G I N G

© 2016 National Council on Aging. All Rights Reserved.

How Effective is CDSMP?

Based on a recent national study of CDSMP5, the

program resulted in significant, measurable

improvements in the health and quality of life of adults

with chronic conditions. CDSMP also appears to save

enough through reductions in health care expenditures

to pay for itself within the first year.

Health Benefits Improved self-reported health.

Improved health status: fatigue, shortness of

breath, depression, pain, stress, and sleep.

Improved health-related quality of life.

Improved communication with doctors, medication

compliance, and health literacy.

Cost Savings

$714 per person savings in emergency room visits

and hospital utilization.

$364 per person net savings after considering

program costs of $350 per participant.

Potential savings of $6.6 billion by reaching 10% of

Americans with one or more chronic conditions.

For more information:

National Council on Aging, Center for Healthy Aging:

www.ncoa.org/cha

Stanford University Patient Education Research

Center

The State of Aging and Health in America 2013

National Study of the Chronic Disease Self-

Management Program: A Brief Overview

What is CDSMP?

CDSMP is a low-cost program that helps adults with chronic

conditions learn how to manage and improve their health.

Interactive workshop sessions focus on problems that are

common to individuals dealing with any chronic condition.

Topics include pain management, nutrition, exercise,

medication use, emotions, and communicating with

doctors.

Workshops are led by two trained facilitators, at least one

of whom has a chronic condition. Fifteen hours of content

are covered during weekly sessions held over a six-week

period. Throughout the program, approximately 10-15

participants focus on building skills to manage their

conditions by sharing experiences and providing mutual

support.

CDSMP:

Helps people with medical conditions such as

diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension develop skills and

coping strategies to manage their symptoms.

Employs action planning, interactive learning, behavior

modeling, problem-solving, decision­making, and social

support for change.

Is offered via two venues—online and in-person held in

community settings such as senior centers, churches,

community health clinics, and libraries.

Has disease-specific variants for diabetes, chronic

pain, cancer survivors, HIV/AIDS, and arthritis.

Is available in Spanish for the chronic disease and

diabetes self-management programs, and the

Stanford-developed CDSMP trainer manual is available

in over 19 different languages.