Healthy aging
Healthy aging Idaho
UI Extension offers programming to help you age healthily. These programs include physical activity, nutrition, emotional health and social health. Explore our programs and contact us to learn more.
Physical health
Our physical health plays into how we age. Staying active can improve all aspects of our lives as we age.
Aging can have an effect on the way we move. Check out this video for adaptative chair-based exercises and follow along to stay healthy and remain active.
Nutrition
What we eat and the nutrients we need change as we age. At UI Extension, our goal is to help you enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that include many nutrients to help keep you healthy and strong as you age.
UI Extension publications
View peer-reviewed, research-based educational materials produced by U of I experts.
Adapting in the kitchen
As we age, cooking can become more difficult. Motions like chopping, opening cans or standing for long periods of time can make it harder to find the desire to make your meals at home. Luckily, there are many adaptive kitchen tools that can help you along the way. Check out these videos for a list of tools and how to use them.
Emotional and social wellbeing
Dementia Friends
Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom and adopted by the U.S., the Dementia Friends initiative is now in Idaho. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia and reduce the stigma surrounding dementia.
Creating a dementia-friendly community involves
- Raising awareness about dementia, transforming attitudes and moving people to action.
- Supporting family and friend caregivers by providing accessible information, resources and in-person support.
- Promoting meaningful participation in community life for everyone.
- Including communities that experience inequities because of race, culture, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental illness, hearing/sensory differences, intellectual or physical abilities or economic status.
You can learn more about Dementia Friends on their website.
Who can be a Dementia Friend?
Anyone can be a Dementia Friend. We all have a part to play in creating dementia friendly communities.
In a Dementia Friends session, you will learn what dementia is, how it affects people and how you can make a difference for people affected by dementia.
In each session you will be provided with a workbook and a certificate after attending.
How do I get started?
View our list of current sessions below or contact the champion in your area to schedule a session.
How does University of Idaho Extension integrate with this program?
UI Extension has partnered with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare—Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (IDHW-ADRD) to bring Dementia Friends to Idaho.
IDHW-ADRD hold the state license for this program and has trained UI Extension educators to be Dementia Champions across the state. A Dementia Champion is able to provide Dementia Friends training to communities. You can learn more about this partnership and the program by visiting the Dementia Friends page of the Idaho Health and Welfare website.